Gear Stick Problem (Help / Advice Please)

Right I have a 1996 Manual 300Tdi.

Today for some unknown reason the gear stick decided it doesnt want to return to the centre position when in NEUTRAL.

Instead when you put it into the NEUTRAL gate it springs over to the left and below the 1st and 2nd gate.

Due to this I am finding it hard to find 4th when coming out of 3rd gear (because it wants to go over to the left)

Does anyone know.......

a) How is the Central position controlled?
b) Can it be accessed from inside of the cab without gearbox removal?
c) Is it a common problem and can the parts be replaced easily?

Thanks before people answer.
Simon

Hi , if its the same set up as 200 then in the top of gearbox where gear lever gos in there is a plunger that works reverse lights.this sticks on 200s leaving reverse lights on and making gear selection difficult.

But the main question is can I get access into the selection bit, without removing the gearbox, can I get to it from inside the cab?

Hi mate, ive got my box out at the moment and there is a spring that sits on top of the box which centres the stick in neutral. I've been told that this spring has a habit of breaking causing the stick to sit over between 1st and 2nd. Yes it can be fixed from inside the cab just remove the centre console and the sound proofing. then you will be able to see it. The spring sits under a cover held on by to pozi screws, once removed its easy to change. As for where to get one from im not sure as i've never needed one.
Hope this helps.

Dave

I had the same problem on mine. There is a plate and 2 springs sitting at the base of the gearstick. The plate breaks causing the problem.
Parts are available from LR dealers and will only cost you about a fiver for the plate and springs.
It's fairly easy to do from inside the cab. You have to remove the centre console which is pretty straight forward. The hardest part is drilling out the rivets holding the rubber cover in place on the trans tunnel.
I did mine in about an hour or so, replacing the rivets with spring clips and self tappers.

Cheers for the responce everyone, excellent advice.

I have just been rung ROEAN's Telford (Land Specialists) and will be collecting the parts tomorrow.

Will be out there on Friday afternoon to strip down and fit.

Simon72 said:

Cheers for the responce everyone, excellent advice.

I have just been rung ROEAN's Telford (Land Specialists) and will be collecting the parts tomorrow.

Will be out there on Friday afternoon to strip down and fit.

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Hi Simon, just to reassure you, getting accessfrom the top IS the way to go and was surprisingly easy when I did the reverse lights switch on my wifes' motor. (Tdi 200Disco)

thebiglad said:

Hi Simon, just to reassure you, getting accessfrom the top IS the way to go and was surprisingly easy when I did the reverse lights switch on my wifes' motor. (Tdi 200Disco)

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Cheers Mate, did it this afternoon.

What a mess I got into, lol.

Anyway wasn't the spring it was the keeper plate that had sheered the spring centring finger.

All sorted now.

Simon72 said:

Cheers Mate, did it this afternoon.

What a mess I got into, lol.

Anyway wasn't the spring it was the keeper plate that had sheered the spring centring finger.

All sorted now.

Click to expand...

And did you get that 'rosey glow' feeling of being a master engineer at work? or just ****ed off!!

Forgot to metion, that the plate and the springs came as a kit from ROEAN (Telford) cost me £8.75. (Not a bad price really)