Gear linkage bushings

[Shant Fabricatorian]

Chatting to a fellow HPE owner at a display day in Sydney about a week ago got me thinking about the bushings in the gear linkages - in particular, the one in the middle of the arm to the gear box. I had mine go about three weeks ago, and he mentioned that his was on the verge of needing a replacement too. Trouble was, his mechanic had done about 20 in the last month and was fresh out...

I'm sure he'll find one, but it got me thinking about a bigger issue. Unless Omicron or someone else has got these sorts of parts being remanufactured (Andrew?), sooner or later we're going to have to tackle a way to make them, preferably beefed-up.

I don't know anyone who's currently making these specific parts, but as the car is undriveable without it (as I understand it gear selection simply becomes more and more intermittent until it doesn't become selection at all), I would suggest it's something we should start thinking about. I'd be willing to contribute an order to at least a small run of these parts.

[chrisc]

Omicron already have remanufactured ones and improved linkage kits, which I really must get round to buying....

[Shant Fabricatorian]

K, thanks for that Chris.

I'll pass it on.

[Hamish]

Omicron already have remanufactured ones and improved linkage kits, which I really must get round to buying....

True.... but you can get them from Betacar cheaper and for the brave - well braver than me - you can order them direct from the States.
It's well worth fitting new bushes, the kit from Betacar includes an uprated connecting rod as well as all the bushes.
Having said all that, I've stripped, cleaned and re-greased the whole assembly in the past and it worked wonders..... :roll:

[wellingtonvx]

Hi Hamish,

Do you have any contact details for Betacar ?
Their www.betacar.co.uk website is gone.

I think my bushes are on their way out (was having real fun changing gear today) so the kit might be the best option.

Is it difficult to fit ? I will have to pay someone to do it, so an idea of how many hours involved would be appreciated.

Colin

[Hamish]

Dunno what's happened to their website :oops: odd as usually get into it easily...... it's actually a link to their 'new' homepage of www.lanciaparts.com try that or email Chris Bastow directly at
chrisbasto@aol.com
The fax number is: (UK) 01535 271337

As far as fitting the kits goes, I fitted mine with the help of a friend in about 2.5 hours. It's not hard, just tricky :roll: The most time consuming part is setting the system correct again. Bargain on half an hour to get the linkages apart, another half hour to fit the new bushings and an hour and a half to re-fit and adjust for gear selection/feel.
Although the bushes don't in theory need re-lubricating (the fancy material they're made out of is self-lubricating) I did re-grease them with white grease as it made re-assembly a whole lot easier 8)
I had the use of a garage ramp, and that's essential to do the job in comfort :lol:
If you're getting a garage to do it - and they know their way around Betas - then anything more than 4 hours on labour is a con.
Let me know how you get on - I'll give Chris a buzz and see what the score is with the website :twisted:

[wellingtonvx]

Did you have any luck contacting Chris Bastow? I emailed him but haven't got a reply yet. Is the US kit the same? Do you have a contact for this? Postage will probably be cheaper to NZ from the US.

I sprayed WD40 on the linkage and on where it connects to the gearbox (corroded from the last owners battery acid) and this seems to have improved it for now (no more 2-3, 3-2 or 5-4 problems like I was having).

Are the bushes visible? If they are what I think they are, 1 of mine has less than half it's circumference left, the other one is gone.

Thanks for the timeframe for the job Hamish, will know if they try and rip me off!

Just heard this week our Government is introducing emissions testing in 2006, I hope this won't be the end of my VX.

Colin

[Hamish]

Did you have any luck contacting Chris Bastow?

No joy on the 'phone - simply rang out, haven't emailed him yet :cry:

Is the US kit the same? Do you have a contact for this?

Yes and No - can't remember where the kit came from in the States, can anyone else remember :?:

Postage will probably be cheaper to NZ from the US.

I guess so 8)

I sprayed WD40 on the linkage and on where it connects to the gearbox (corroded from the last owners battery acid) and this seems to have improved it for now (no more 2-3, 3-2 or 5-4 problems like I was having).

Good, but a liberal application of grease (white) is ideal.

Are the bushes visible? If they are what I think they are, 1 of mine has less than half it's circumference left, the other one is gone.

Yes, most of the bushings are visible - except the ones that really need to be done :roll:

[Hamish]

Spoke with Chris Bastow today :D all live and well, server problems have seen the Betacar site drop out of circulation but it should be back now :wink:
Worth emailing him again chrisbasto@aol.com if you need to get in touch 8)