KevinB Posted February 3, 2020 Report Share Posted February 3, 2020 Hi, Having recently had a 1966 Mk2 Spitfire fully restored I've been able to take it for a test drive. One thing I've noticed is that the gear lever is very "sloppy" all the gears are there and work fine but it's a case of "well the gear is there somewhere" ! ? Any ideas what the problem could be or what we have done wrong? Any advice most welcome. Cheers, Kevin Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dougbgt6 Posted February 3, 2020 Report Share Posted February 3, 2020 Kevin, There is a repair kit for the gear lever selector mechanism, a common fault. An easy job. Doug 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NonMember Posted February 4, 2020 Report Share Posted February 4, 2020 Yep, as Doug says (or at least implies) it's almost certainly the bushing at the bottom of the gearstick. Replacements are available but not the best quality. Look out, particularly, for burrs and rough edges on the pressed steel bits - they will eat through the new bush bits in no time. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pete Lewis Posted February 4, 2020 Report Share Posted February 4, 2020 yes remove the remote ,there are two bushes one mid way and one on bottom of the stick , there are some changes in the bush over the years most kits have a selection to cover all possibles , there will be 2 0 rings ignore these they fit in the ally hsg, and oil seal the front short shaft , dont try to use them . leave the front shaft alone you need the remote off as the middle bush pivot bolt is not easy to get a spanner on and the pivot bolt on the bottom of the stick only goes one way or you foul the case and the ]-[ becomes ]-) just some clues many sell the kit eg http://www.jamespaddock.co.uk/gearchange-remote-bush-kit-2 https://www.canleyclassics.com/demoapp/?ptno=519770 pete 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dougbgt6 Posted February 4, 2020 Report Share Posted February 4, 2020 2 hours ago, NonMember said: Yep, as Doug says (or at least implies) Yes, sorry guys not the fullest of explanations. It was past bedtime, should have waited. db 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KevinB Posted February 16, 2020 Author Report Share Posted February 16, 2020 Thanks for all the advice as ever, I've ordered a replacement bush kit. I'll let you know how it goes 👍 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thescrapman Posted February 17, 2020 Report Share Posted February 17, 2020 There is a part in the kit that you need to possibly discard and re-use the original. is a metal cup that gets re-made with a sharp edge that then cuts and grinds away the new plastic ball. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Colin Lindsay Posted February 17, 2020 Report Share Posted February 17, 2020 26 minutes ago, thescrapman said: There is a part in the kit that you need to possibly discard and re-use the original. is a metal cup that gets re-made with a sharp edge that then cuts and grinds away the new plastic ball. The big yellow cup washer centre left; some kits remake this in metal and it eats the other parts. If you can reuse the old one then it solves this problem and unless it's really worn won't make any difference to the refurbishment. All the other parts are self-explanatory; as you disassemble the rods one bit at a time you'll see where the replacement part goes. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NonMember Posted February 17, 2020 Report Share Posted February 17, 2020 5 minutes ago, Colin Lindsay said: The big yellow cup washer centre left; some kits remake this in metal and it eats the other parts. In my experience it's the metal cap at the top of the photo. The kits leave a vicious burr on the inner edge which eats straight through the big yellow cup washer. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Colin Lindsay Posted February 17, 2020 Report Share Posted February 17, 2020 1 hour ago, NonMember said: In my experience it's the metal cap at the top of the photo. The kits leave a vicious burr on the inner edge which eats straight through the big yellow cup washer. That's entirely possible, Rob... I remember photographing an older kit vs a new one to show the differing shapes, plus the fact that they've remade the nylon washer in metal so that the two parts grind off each other and obviously the softer part will suffer; I was blaming the wrong part. I disremembered why I had mixed and matched an old kit and a new... ...but my advice to Kevin is to try to find an old kit, if possible - they're still about, and are of better quality. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Waynebaby Posted February 17, 2020 Report Share Posted February 17, 2020 I've found out the hard way that it is important to doubly check that the spring washer is securely seated in its retaining groove in the gear lever when reassembling things. This washer holds down the smaller diameter spring if I remember correctly. If the washer slips from its groove and lets the spring press on the base of the nylon cup thingy it'll soon wear through and before you know it the tunnel has to come off again. I try to reuse the original spring washer because it seems to be a better fit in the groove. Wayne 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pete Lewis Posted February 17, 2020 Report Share Posted February 17, 2020 as the circlip isa pig to remove they do get stretched , carefull re squeeze till the open ends are closed and aligned works for re use in general its not recommended to re use circlips but if needs must ??? at least the gearstick is less critical than UJs or mainshafts Pete 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Colin Lindsay Posted February 17, 2020 Report Share Posted February 17, 2020 45 minutes ago, Waynebaby said: I try to reuse the original spring washer because it seems to be a better fit in the groove. Wayne If you look at the kit I've photographed you can see that the spring washer is just a standard one that you could buy anywhere. I think the originals have a different profile and certainly seem to grip the gearlever that much more securely. I too try to reuse where I can. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KevinB Posted February 25, 2020 Author Report Share Posted February 25, 2020 Thank you for all your replies, very much appreciated. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Colin Lindsay Posted February 25, 2020 Report Share Posted February 25, 2020 How have you got on so far, Kevin? Kit ordered and fitted yet? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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