Gear Questions

[JGreenslade]

Hi,

On a couple of occasions now I have selected 2nd at high revs, when I wanted to select 4th... The car's been off the road for 9 years, but I did a fair amount of driving prior (I've owned it since '92) and I don't think I ever mis-selected a gear in this fashion...

Not only that, but selection in general is somewhat notchy. Back in the mid-'90s I filled the 'box with Redline fully synthetic oil for this reason. It made a huge difference, and selecting became easier. I doubt the mechanic who re-commissioned the car after its 9-yr layoff refilled it with synthetic.

My questions are:

If the manual recommends 85W90, will Redline 75W90 be ok?

Does the mis-selection issue suggest a potential linkage problem to you? There seems to be *some* lateral play in the gear stick... I don't remember if this is normal. Is there a particular fault that these cars are prone to that sticks out? Note that the 'box is pretty good while driving gently; it's when you're revving the engine to 5k rpm+ and changing that I've gone into 2nd instead of 4th.

Thanks in advance.

Justin

[Darren]

Hi Justin,

If you've not done so - check and change the bushes - they're peanuts to buy and make all the difference. Also change the bush in the corss-member that holds the vertical selector shaft in place. While they're about it, check to make sure that the 'balls' the bushes connect to are actually secure and not had the small amount of weld holding them in place cracked. If you're still having problems selecting gears then the next places to check are the engine mounts - replace if suspect and the cross member itself - they do crack in the middle and drop!

Hope this helps and Good luck!!

[1,6 HF]

...Does the mis-selection issue suggest a potential linkage problem to you? There seems to be *some* lateral play in the gear stick... I don't remember if this is normal. Is there a particular fault that these cars are prone to that sticks out? Note that the 'box is pretty good while driving gently; it's when you're revving the engine to 5k rpm+ and changing that I've gone into 2nd instead of 4th.

Is yours a 5-speed? If so, the answer may be "yes".

[JGreenslade]

Thanks, guys. It is a 5-speed. Aren't all Euro Montecarlos 5-speed?

The first step is to try the synthetic oil. It made a big difference when it was fitted before.

One nice thing would be to replace the linkage ball joints with rose-joints... Anyone done it? I was told that the Pastors (predecessors to TMH aka 'Scorpion Reproductions' rose-jointed their linkage.

Justin

[1,6 HF]

Thanks, guys. It is a 5-speed. Aren't all Euro Montecarlos 5-speed?

Absolutely, I was looking at the wrong forum. Apologies.

[davidb]

Justin replace the linkage bushings & the vertical shaft bushing that
resides in the rear X-member, on top. Checking weld integrity of the
"balls" along the way. Then switch fluids. My two cents.

[JGreenslade]

Before I owned my car I checked out an S2 where the owner (a mechanic) had just replaced the bushings before I came over. The gearchange felt amazing. Having said that, other Monte owners have always claimed my 'change to be good; and compared to every other Monte I've checked out, my 'change is good (bar the one with new bushings).

I'm feeling tempted to try and replace the bushings myself... How big a job is it? Any specialist tools needed? I assume you pop the new bushings into the balls in a vice? I get the impression someone who knows what they're doing can do them all in an afternoon?

Thanks again.

Justin

[Darren]

Hi again Justin,

The bushes do have a lifespan and whilst your gear selection was good when the car was last on the road (can't remember when that was) there's a good chance it's not now simply down to the bushes.

Renewing all of the bushes is definitely a DIY job - just need time and patience. Disconnect the battery to start with - just in case a tool or linkage touches the battery connector on the starter motor. Then carefully lever off the two selector rods - first noting how they are orientated! With these removed, you can check the 'balls' to make sure they are still attached and not free spinning. If they are, then you will need to get them welded up, but it shouldn't stop you renewing the bushes. Then jack the car up at the back and disconnector the gear selector rod (running from inside the car) from the vertical shaft. Mark the position of the end section before undoing the 2 13mm bolts and remove the end section with the bush.

Use a rubber mallet or a block of wood and a hammer to tap the vertical selector from its top fixing - and I mean tap - you won't need to whack it! You should then be able to remove the vertical shaft and check the balls here too. You can now renew the bottom bush located in the cross member. You may need to lightly sand the bush if it grabs the selector rod too tightly.

Now you're ready to tackle the other bushes. I'd get the most difficult one out of the way first. Getting the old one out is easy - you will need a razor blade and use it to slice the back of the bush off (the part facing you as you look from the back of the car). You can then simply push out the rest of the push either by hand or with a socket bar depending on how old your bush is!

Getting the new one in can be a pain! Get a bowl of boiling water and drop in the bush. I'd leave it in there for a good few minutes which you locate some washing up liquid (for lubrication) and some mole grips or clamp to push the bush in. ( I'd also use a slice of wood between the bush and the clamp/grip to protect it from damage. Use the washing liquid on the bush housing on the bulkhead and then get the bush out. Make sure it goes in the right way round and you will find it easier to push it through from rear to front (or the side with the hole in it in first). With this one done you then need to relocate the vertical shaft. Make sure your ball is clean and I put a dab of grease in the bush hole - not too much and be aware there is a hole in the back of the bush! Again use your clamp or grips to push the two together.

Now you can put the other bushes in - again make sure you check the orientation of the bushes - one rod has the bushes facing opposite ways, the other has them facing the same way. In each case use the razot to cut the back of the bush off before pushing out the other side. I would lightly sand the holes where required and again lube with washing up liquid. You can use a vise rather than clamps to press the bushes into the rods.

Then press the rods back onto the balls and tighten up the gear selector rod. The gearstick should be in the vertical position in neutral - and free from side to side play. If you still have play then your gearstick bottom bush is probably worn and you can replace it with a new gearstick.

NOTE - or rather afterthought - it may be easier to fit the rods to the vertical shaft before putting it back in, which would give you plenty of elbow room to press the rods back on without having to twist yourself around the engine, petrol tank and rest of the gubbins!

It's certainly possible to upgrade to rose joints. All you need to do is grind off the backs of the 'balls' and bolt through. Make sure you go for one left and one right handed thread rosejoint for each rod, with a thread tube and locking nuts inbetween.

Hope this helps and good luck!!

[JGreenslade]

Darren - that's really generous of you to type out such a comprehensive tutorial. Many thanks indeed. No doubt I will have more questions once I get down and dirty with the job!

Cheers,
Justin

[Darren]

No worries! Happy to help. Give us a shout if you get stuck, but you should get it done with relatively few skinned knuckles!:D:D

Cheers!

[Will]

I didn't see anybody mention the arm on the shaft affixed to the plate atop the gearbox. This thing is supposed to be keyed, but they wear. Common solutions are to weld or drill and stake.

[Darren]

I didn't see anybody mention the arm on the shaft affixed to the plate atop the gearbox. This thing is supposed to be keyed, but they wear. Common solutions are to weld or drill and stake.

Good point Will, I completely forgot about that! I'd go with drill and pin rather than weld as the plastic bush is fragile and irreplaceable (sp?). You way want to just strip, clean and regrease it just to be belt and braces complete!

[mogul_x]

Is there a particular grease formulation that should be used to lubricate the shift linkage?

[Will]

Is there a particular grease formulation that should be used to lubricate the shift linkage?

Homestly, I don't know the answer to that. I have used and will continue to use white lithium, it's plastics-safe.

[JGreenslade]

This is proving an embarrassing day for me... I noticed my car didn't have a clutch return spring... (it's been off the road for 9 yrs - you'll have to cut me some slack). Having fitted one, the gear change feels completely different... The difference made by a £1.50 spring is amazing. Particularly when selecting 1st. I've owned the car since '92 and never had the bushes done. Its mileage is just over 40k, so I'm thinking, although the bushes should be done at some point, they probably have some life in them yet. Maybe I can try and hold out until I can afford to get rosejoints.

Justin

[DJ]

so I'm thinking, although the bushes should be done at some point, they probably have some life in them yet. Maybe I can try and hold out until I can afford to get rosejoints.

You might get lucky. Do ya feel lucky? :)

[Speaking with voice of experience] I'd only suggest that course of action you're OK with having the linkage fall apart at the most inopportune moment and most inconvenient location. :'(

[bjmarsh]

I've owned the car since '92 and never had the bushes done. Its mileage is just over 40k, so I'm thinking, although the bushes should be done at some point, they probably have some life in them yet.

Maybe I can try and hold out until I can afford to get rosejoints.

Justin

My experience is the bushings always have plently of life in them until suddenly they don't. To some part of the ownership experience is the uncertainity (fun?) of knowing if the car will actually make it to the planned destination.

Bushings are pretty cheap to replace, and not that difficult to change. Maybe the London Fog helps to preserve the bushings, in California you would be waaaaay overdue for a new set.

I think rose joints maybe overkill, (but they sure would look nice) once you replace the bushings (ALL) and reweld the broken ball studs, the shifting is probably as good as you are going to get.

Barry