Gearbox issue

[Little Frank]

Hi all, hope I make sense so here it goes, earlier today selecting 5th was harder than normal, got it in end, dropped down to 4th but then the gear stick had as much side to side movement as if it was in neutral! Tried to drop down again and couldn't work out what gear it was in!! Doesn't seem to be able to find first at all but still got home probably in 3rd and 4th! Once in garage tried to select reverse but nothing, can't seem to work out the gear selection pattern at all. To top that the back box broke off as well. Anyone had a similar issue? Hopefully not too bad.

[betabuoy]

Hello Frank, quiet day in the office for me... shouldn't really be reading Betaboyz page!
Anyhow, these gearboxes are normally bullet-proof with the weakness being the nylon bushes in the linkage. The struggle to find 5th sounds like the 'last straw' for one such bush which would explain the now sloppy lever.
It's an easy fix if that's the case.
Chris

[peteracs]

Hi

Assuming it is a bushing issue, then you might want to invest in this kit from the US which replaces the bushes and the small link rod. I think someone on here in the UK replaced his recently with it.

http://www.fiatlancia.us

Peter

[Little Frank]

Thanks, I'm useless at this sort of mechanical stuff so thanks for speedy advice.
Franco

[Neil-yaj396]

Definitely sounds like a linkage problem. Whenever gearboxes have failed on me (and never a Beta one) I've either lost a gear or stuck in a gear.

[Paul Greenway]

Re-visiting this post, I have recently (last Saturday) found reverse gear particularly hard to engage and also a slight notchiness in selecting fifth that hasn't refused as yet. The rest of the box appears normal with no apparent slopiness with the lever, anyone any ideas? All advice appreciated.

Paul.

[SanRemo78]

Lots to check. In the engine bay you'll see the gear change linkage, you will need to remove the battery and battery tray (and washer bottle if it's there) to get at it. There are three ball joints sitting in plastic sockets on the main for/aft rods. If any of these is failing it'll lead to issues with gear selection. Next there's a vertical rod at the front of the gearbox. Check the bushing at the base hasn't failed. At the top of this rod is another small ball joint, check for play here too. There is a cross link near the pivot on the subframe behind the gearbox, check that the ball joint at either end hasn't got excessive play. You're unlikely to have significant issues with play at the gearlever end but pull the cover off and check there's nothing loose there. Finally, there are two gearbox mounts, one at the front, the other at the back. If the rear one has failed it may have allowed the whole gearbox to tilt down which may be causing your issues.

Guy

[Neil-yaj396]

Hi Paul

The vertical rod at the front of the gearbox that Guy mentions is adjustable. One way improves 1st & 2nd engagement, the other 5th & Reverse. It's covered quite well (for a change) in Haynes. Ultimately the real problems are usually down to the many bushes and the link at the back of the subframe Guy mentions, but it might be worth giving the rod a tweak to start with.

It worked on my last IE to make 1st & 2nd better for a while.

[Paul Greenway]

Guy/Neil,

Thanks for the advice, I'm working away at the moment but i'll have a look when I return and go through it step by step with Haynes manual and a mechanical mate.

Paul.

[Ferrit]

I will bank this post for when I do mine.  Thanks again

Mark

[neromoto]

Last month, I also had the same problem where the fifth gear and reverse gear would not engage. I lifted up the car and checked the linkage from under the car, and found that only one bolt was loose.

Masataka

[peteracs]

Hi

As an extra to checking that bolt, I found the swivel on that bolt had worn bushes and had excessive play which also resulted in difficulty to get 5th.

Peter