356 gear trouble!

Max Steiner · Post by **Max Steiner** » Mon Apr 20, 2009 8:57 pm

Hello, me again!

As I was driving the 356C I suddenly could only select 1st and 3rd gears, as I limped home this then changed to only 2nd and 4th gears which is how it is now.
I've taken the gearstick off and all looks ok except that when it's in neutral, the position of the ball joint at the bottom of the gearstick looks like it's in 1st or 2nd and when it's in 2nd or 4th the ball joint position is in the middle ie; the position of neutral.

When I try to put it into 1st or 3rd it feels like it's almost in gear but the gearstick can't go any further forward.

I presumed the gear shift rod coupling had slipped some how making it too short but a quick look shows no sign of movement.

Any ideas?

Thanks

Graham · Post by **Graham** » Mon Apr 20, 2009 9:08 pm

Try removing the little cover at the back of the tunnel and see if the gear rod clamp has come loose where it joins the u-joint,this too is fitted to the gearbox selector shaft with a wired on grub screw,that might be loose,or the u-joint plastic bushes could be worn/broken.
You will have to get underneath the car and remove the gaiter to access the u-joint properly.
Hope thats of some help

Max Steiner · Post by **Max Steiner** » Mon Apr 20, 2009 11:45 pm

Hi Graham, Thank you for the reply, I've done that and all looks ok?!

Rustbucket · Post by **Rustbucket** » Tue Apr 21, 2009 8:45 am

you may have a broken fork in the bellhousing, it happened to me on my VW, I limped home in first......
Also, check there isnt an obstruction in the pedal assembly- it only takes a small stone to get inthe gap of the pedal to stop it being depressed quite far enough to release or select the gear?

cubist · Post by **cubist** » Tue Apr 21, 2009 9:14 am

Same happened to me and was a fork selector unfortunately...

roy mawbey · Post by **roy mawbey** » Tue Apr 21, 2009 10:17 am

Max,

Pleased you found the starter problem, the gear selection problem as others have stated could still be the connected to the gear shift rod connection under the inspection cover in the rear of the car. You say you looked at it and it seemed okay. You need to get a socket wrench on the large bolt to see if its actually loose. If it has moved gear selection is all over the place. If its really tight ( and it needs to be )at least you know you can probably cross that off the list.

Roy

Max Steiner · Post by **Max Steiner** » Mon Apr 27, 2009 12:49 pm

Hi Roy...
I'm pleased to inform you that you were correct... although the clamp was as tight as it would go... the clamp had stretched so wasn't tight enough... I took it all out, cleaned it up filed a small amount off the inner face of it put it back together... et voila... it was fixed!!
Thanks very much... you know your 356's!!

roy mawbey · Post by **roy mawbey** » Mon Apr 27, 2009 7:03 pm

Great Max, they run so much better with 4 gears in operation!

Roy