TOPIC:

My 5 speed gearbox 88 car is getting stuck in neutral randomly when car is warmed up. With a bit of brute force and turning the engine off I can eventually move the lever and select a gear again. Not to clever when your at a busy junction.
Any ideas please.

Hi Mark, I'm no expert but I think you selector arms may be worn, It could be replacement gear box or a rebuild. Or we could be missing the obvious, how much oil is in the gear box!!...just a thought.

Dave

Thanks Dave I best check the oil, before getting the gearbox out
Cheers
Mark

When i had difficulties selecting second it turned out to be the bolt between the lollipop and gear selector that had come loose, i then discovered I did not have a lollipop link, some cars don't but tightening the bolt did it.

Pretty sure my linkage is ok but I will check again before yanking the gearbox out
Thanks
Mark

Also worth checking the clutch hydraulics.
When they fail it makes it very hard to change gear.
Best of luck
Alex

I agree with Alex - I recently had to change the clutch slave cylinder when I struggled to engage any gears easily.
The problem was worse when the car was warmed up. I changed it and bled the system and all was well again.
Cheers Chris.

Thanks Alex I will check but it gets stuck solid in neutral and I can’t even move the lever to crash the gears
Cheers Mark

Thanks Chris I will check
Cheers
Mark

I had a problem with my gear a while back, lost 5th and reverse and by the end of the day I couldn't find 1st and 2nd. I managed to drive home using the remaining but I had to bump it in 3rd and that's where the gears remained, I couldn't get it out of 3rd.
Bought a replacement gearbox and got my mechanic to come and collect the car.

He stuck his head under the back.

"Your gear linkage is off"

DOH !