Gear lever linkage unit

[Terry J]

I need to remove the gear lever linkage unit from the top of the gearbox on my 1968 Vitesse in order to replace the bushes. Unfortunately I am unable to do it in situ as getting to the middle bush is obstructed by the overdrive unit.

I seem to remember reading somewhere that it is better to leave the car in 1st gear before removing the unit. Is this correct and why? 

Many thanks for any help.

Terry

[johny]

That might be when removing the complete top cover with selectors but as youre just taking off the lever part its easy just to leave it in neutral and lift away...

[Pete Lewis]

Johny is right .......  just undo the 4 nuts  (1/2"af )   that hold the remote to the top cover 

dont touch the 6   7/16af bolts in the main cover 

you will find in the repair kit some 0 rings  these seal the remote shaft and are best all left alone as removing the dowel bolt is a pain  and

refitting the shafts will just chop the new 0 rings  theres a good few Tee  shirts for these ,

do check the cup washer for sharp cropped edges or you will mince the new spherical ball quickly or re use your old one 

Pete

 

 

[Terry J]

Thanks guys, good advice.

Terry

[Terry J]

Sorry, just need to ask another question. In my linkage kit I have 2 x black “top hat” washers, 2 x red washers and 2 x white washers.

I believe that the 2 black washers fit at the pivot point of the gearstick, the 2 red ones are used in the middle where the two rods join but where do the 2 white washers go?

Help please

Terry

[johny]

Sometimes overhaul kits are for more than one type of unit so use the bits that fit and the rest goes in the useful bits box👍

[Colin Lindsay]

I think Terry is correct; the 'top hat' ones got into the gearlever, and the red ones at the centre pivot. The small black o-rings go into the top cover, prick the old ones out with a needle and once the new ones are inserted lubricate them well, the rod will slide through easily enough with no damage. This means the white ones are unnecessary in 'our' cars.

There's an 'interesting' video on Youtube where the guy claims the red washers are to 'double up' at the base of the gear lever but he can't get them to fit. 

[johny]

Are the washers different thicknesses maybe and so you chose best fit?

[Colin Lindsay]

I think, going by the size, they won't fit anywhere else.

[johny]

But why have four the same?

[Terry J]

Sorry, just need to ask another question. In my linkage kit I have 2 x black “top hat” washers, 2 x red washers and 2 x white washers.

I believe that the 2 black washers fit at the pivot point of the gearstick, the 2 red ones are used in the middle where the two rods join but where do the 2 white washers go?

Help please

Terry

[Terry J]

Great, thanks very much for all your responses.

[Colin Lindsay]

9 hours ago, johny said:

But why have four the same?

I always found the white ones to be much bigger, so no danger of mixing them up with the red ones.

 

[DanMi]

I think that there are variations between models, but they only supply one kit so some parts aren't used