Difficult to shift into 1st

[Bossworld]

I'm finding it difficult to shift back down to first, unless the car is at a complete stop.   I'm only on about rolling to a stop and winding down from 2nd, not trying to get back into 1st at 15mph or anything daft.

Gearbox oil has just been changed and is buttery smooth through 2/3/4/5/6.

I've got the big shift mounts which I'm tempted to take back off and try the standard ones.  Are the originals front/rear of the cage specific or not (as the big foot mounts were labelled F and R).

Thought I might have a TRD quick shift as the car came with the appropriate gearknob but the original mounts had rubber around them so I suspect not.  

Anyone got any suggestions beyond the car just being worn (it's done 126k in fairness)?  I've also got the metal bearing bushings at the selector cable end, might try and spray them with some grease as they were a devil to fit.

Thanks

[jvanzyl]

To be honest I think mines the same... and my setup/mileage is similar to your minus the big foot mounts.
I just work round it...

[onion86]

Mine's also like this, I have a TRD short shifter and Nath's spherical bushings (been on since the day after I owned the car so not able to compare). It happens in my 6 speed but I'm pretty sure it wasn't there or was at least not as bad in my 5 speed, so assumed it was based on that. If yours is a pre-facelift 5 speed then hmm...

[shnazzle]

Both mine and Helen's are like this as well. My pre-fl did it as well from what I remember.
I think it's safe to conclude that's what theyre like

[StuC]

Mine is the same. Just with around it too.

[s12vea]

Mine is the same

[Ardent]

Tend to recall nath saying about keeping the bushings lubed/greased.
I'd start there.
Steve done mine at service at the weekend. Muchos better.
He also applied some magic compound to something else but could not see where. Whatever it was made a big difference.

[StuC]

Mmmmm magic compound.   :-) :-) :-)

[Carolyn]

The levers down on the gearbox need lubrication too.  Everybody pays attention to the bushings but forgets the external mechanism on the box.  Lubing those (while working them about) makes a massive difference.  Even so, these cars aren't lightening quick into first.

[Ardent]

That'll be what steve did.
As C said and I can vouch for. It cannot be denied what a significant difference it makes.

[jvanzyl]

Out of interest (not that it is any where close to the top of the list) what are we talking about in terms of getting access to these levers? Center console removal?

[shnazzle]

Magic compound was probably the Würth AL1100 he loves so much. It is epic stuff to be fair. I'd advise anybody to get a tin

[Carolyn]

Out of interest (not that it is any where close to the top of the list) what are we talking about in terms of getting access to these levers? Center console removal?

Last time I checked, my gearbox was in the engine compartment...('facetious' is  one of only two words with all the vowels in alphabetical order)...

Take a peek at the other end of your gearshift cables, where they attach to the gearbox. (under the wring harness, kind of)  There are levers, arms, shafts and stuff that actually change the gears.  They need to slide and rotate smoothly.  Very often they are a bit rusty, dirty and stiff.  I start with a WD -type lube to get them cleaner and then some light machine oil for lasting lube.  Keep rotating and sliding (you can do this directly by hand) as you lube.  You'll feel them ease up and get smoother.

Has far more effect than just lubing the bushings.

[jvanzyl]

Aaahhhh.. Thought the levers might be by the gear lever!

[Bossworld]

Thanks all, lots of food for thought.  To be honest having had a good run back tonight, I think it's probably worth persevering with the big foot mounts as it seems to give you a bit more force/accuracy to chuck it back into 1st, even if the box is a bit tough.  

Will lube all visible bits when I get chance too.

[Ardent]

Magic compound was probably the Würth AL1100 he loves so much. It is epic stuff to be fair. I'd advise anybody to get a tin

And there was me maintaining an air of mystacism. (can we have a spill chucker please)

Tis grand stuff.   s:D s:D

[Ardent]

Out of interest (not that it is any where close to the top of the list) what are we talking about in terms of getting access to these levers? Center console removal?

Last time I checked, my gearbox was in the engine compartment...('facetious' is  one of only two words with all the vowels in alphabetical order)...

Take a peek at the other end of your gearshift cables, where they attach to the gearbox. (under the wring harness, kind of)  There are levers, arms, shafts and stuff that actually change the gears.  They need to slide and rotate smoothly.  Very often they are a bit rusty, dirty and stiff.  I start with a WD -type lube to get them cleaner and then some light machine oil for lasting lube.  Keep rotating and sliding (you can do this directly by hand) as you lube.  You'll feel them ease up and get smoother.

Has far more effect than just lubing the bushings.

Spot on as ever.

facetious' is  one of only two words with all the vowels in alphabetical order
Got to ask, whats the other  s:?: :?: s:?:

[Carolyn]

Abstemious.  Does not apply to me.

[Myles1ZZ]

My PFL 2 does the same thing. Seems to work fine if I double clutch it. I've changed out the transmission fluid for MT90, replaced clutch fluid and installed polybush linkages. Really helped the rest of the gears but first is still donked. Could just be the way these cars are.

[Ardent]

Myles.
Having gone that far. You might as well do what carolyn describes.
Its not the way they are.

[Ardent]

Abstemious.  Does not apply to me.

Nor me.
I will feed that one into conversation tomorrow   s:) s:)

[The Other Stu]

Abstemious.  Does not apply to me.

Nor me.
I will feed that one into conversation tomorrow   s:) s:)

You lot are full of interesting nothings!
Did you know the only 3 animals that can see behind them without turning their heads are....
Rabbit, Parrot and ?

Anyway, with regards to the gears, I can't really help much. Unless I'm at a full stop, I rarely use first gear. I've had cars with worse though. I used to have a Rover 213 (my first car) and it absolutely refused to go into first unless you came to a complete standstill.

[shnazzle]

I was think that. Surely 1st is for when you're standing still or crawling at best

[The Other Stu]

I was think that. Surely 1st is for when you're standing still or crawling at best

She's going to kill me for this, but the Missus Panda isn't the best gearbox (even though car was brand new).
There were a couple of times when she was learning and approaching a roundabout forced it into first rather than third.

I ate the windscreen a couple of times!   s:lol: :lol: s:lol:

[Carolyn]

Chameleon. plenty of fish, god only knows how many invertebrates... Oh.. and anything with a mirror