..Is there a trick to this or is it a case of endless swearing and failed attempts.
Oh on an M reg
peice of piss,
stick it in 3rd gear, get under the car undo the linkage
get your helper to put the gearstick where he thinks 3rd should be
do it up
hey presto
if you are really clever you can figure it out by the movement of the linkage from under the car.. something you pick up when you have a boss breathing down your neck asking if its done yet