Stiff Gearchange (Mk1 16v)

[EngineerD]

When cold my gearbox if fine, but when warm gear change is very stiff to the point the gearstick squeaks loudly. Any ideas? The synchros are fine, its the actual movement of the gearstick.

I changed the oil about 9 months ago when I changed a driveshaft, didn't use the correct grade of oil but one not far off and I don't think it did this straight away- wasn't cheap sh*t either. Oil level is fine.

 

[Mark One]

It has to be the oil. That's the only thing actually heating up really.....
Unless the gearbox itself is fubared??
strange one. Checked the bushes on the linkage under the box?

 

[EngineerD]

I reckon its oil, can't see any problems on the linkage. I'll stick the proper 75w80 in, I have heard some people have issues with the 75w90 I put in.

 

[sideways danny]

do you have the exhaust heatshields on under the gearstick?

 

[EngineerD]

do you have the exhaust heatshields on under the gearstick?

I am missing one of those...

 

[sideways danny]

 

[Dave..]

God he's good^

 

[EngineerD]

Lol I'll get that sorted. Common problem then?

 

[sideways danny]

seen it before, when they've been missing. Not common though

 

[sideways danny]

God he's good^

xxx

 

[EngineerD]

I have looked on Dialogys and isn't the heatshield on the wrong side of the exhaust to make a difference, or am I getting it all wrong?

 

[EngineerD]

FIXED! Got under the car properly today, the spring on the gear linkage had come off. Putting that back on has improved the feel of the gearbox no end - I also lubed up both ends of the linkage but I think the spring was causing all the problems, gearbox is SO smooth now, and finding gears is much easier.