Can anyone tell me what needs replacing at the rear end of the gearshaft before it takes a 90 degree into the gearbox. I have just noticed the rubber boots, I think there are 2, have badly deteriorated exposing the shiny steel shaft. Is there a kit out there for the job, are there seals, etc. that need renewing as well? Any advice or tips appreciated
Cheers Dave
Hi Dave, I replaced all those bits a year ago and it made a big improvement to the gearchange.
The gear-selector linkage on the side of the gearbox is a ball and socket that can collect dirt if the rubber boot is damaged, causing premature wear.
The mechanism wore out entirely on a mate's 2WD van, and collapsed, which meant that he couldn't change gears at all. He had to turn off the engine, crawl underneath, select second gear, start it up with his foot on the clutch, and drive home slowly the long way around, avoiding intersections with hill-starts.
As part of my syncro's "Sydney Harbour Bridge restoration" [start-at-one-end-and-by-the-time-you-get-to-the-other-end-it's-time-to-start-all-over-again], I bought a "Shift Linkage Repair Kit" and shift rod bushing boots from the Van Cafe.
The job was simple. I did it at the same time as replacing the tranny, CV's, clutch slave cylinder and every other bit in sight. Saves pulling everything apart twice. But it wouldn't take long to do it as a one-off job. Probably an hour or two on the hoist or over a pit, a bit longer if you're up on ramps.
I lubricate the shift rod regularly where it slides through the nylon bushes. No more dry rasping, just like the proverbial hot knife through butter.
Roger [Beetle].