Stiff gear change
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Not many rules really, this board being aimed at technical issues, it shouldn't fall foul (hopefully) of some of the more personal issues that can affect forums.
Rule 1 - Is that you need to think very carefully before posting anything technical or asking anything technical relating to the security system of the car - See 'Security Issues' sticky for more info.
Rule 2 - We (MGF Register) do not support copyright infringement and therefore references to CD ROM, PDF versions or paper copies of the workshop manual (for instance) should not be posted on the forum. We don't want to get into trouble and we'd rather sell you a genuine hard copy through our Regalia shop anyway!
Because advice is honestly and freely given in this technical section, much of it will be amateur experienced based, so any information is given in good faith and is not guaranteed as correct.
Not many rules really, this board being aimed at technical issues, it shouldn't fall foul (hopefully) of some of the more personal issues that can affect forums.
Rule 1 - Is that you need to think very carefully before posting anything technical or asking anything technical relating to the security system of the car - See 'Security Issues' sticky for more info.
Rule 2 - We (MGF Register) do not support copyright infringement and therefore references to CD ROM, PDF versions or paper copies of the workshop manual (for instance) should not be posted on the forum. We don't want to get into trouble and we'd rather sell you a genuine hard copy through our Regalia shop anyway!
Because advice is honestly and freely given in this technical section, much of it will be amateur experienced based, so any information is given in good faith and is not guaranteed as correct.
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johncooper
- Posts: 46
- Joined: Sun May 04, 2008 5:01 pm
- MGF Register Region: South East
- Model of Car: MGTF 135 M.G. M type
Stiff gear change
I have a 2002 (54) TF 135 and the gear change has become rather stiff. Third to fourth and back again is Ok but most others are difficult. I feel it could be the linkage does that sound feasible?
Re: Stiff gear change
Just thought I would bump this as I'm interested in any solutions/suggestions from others.
TF 160 'oggy of the ampshire ogs' / ZR 160 (sadly now deceased) hooray now resurrected by Dave at Church Square Autos.
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Barbour
- Posts: 256
- Joined: Sun Jun 10, 2018 9:39 pm
- MGF Register Region: Europe
- Model of Car: 2002 TF 135 LEF PUU
- Location: NL
- Contact:
Re: Stiff gear change
Linkage, or the cables.
Cheers!
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johncooper
- Posts: 46
- Joined: Sun May 04, 2008 5:01 pm
- MGF Register Region: South East
- Model of Car: MGTF 135 M.G. M type
Re: Stiff gear change
I have a copy of the "MG TF Workshop Manual" published by MG Rover Group 2003 and "MGF and TF Restoration Manual" by Roger Parker. The MG manual states that to replace the gear linkage cables requires dropping the front of the rear sub frame where as Roger Palmer's book states that it is possible, but awkward to do it without dropping the sub frame. Has anyone done this, is it really awkward and is it possible to do without a 2 or 4 post lift?
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johncooper
- Posts: 46
- Joined: Sun May 04, 2008 5:01 pm
- MGF Register Region: South East
- Model of Car: MGTF 135 M.G. M type
Re: Stiff gear change
Roger's book also says "Cable breakage can be preceded by a stiffening of the gear change, usually caused when some inner cable strands have broken and are snagging on the inside lining of the outer cables the cable moves." So be warned.
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talkingcars
- Posts: 5766
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- MGF Register Region: South East
- Model of Car: mk1 VVC
- Location: West Sussex
- Contact:
Re: Stiff gear change
It'll be easy on a 4 poster lift.
No need to drop the subframe.
No need to drop the subframe.
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johncooper
- Posts: 46
- Joined: Sun May 04, 2008 5:01 pm
- MGF Register Region: South East
- Model of Car: MGTF 135 M.G. M type
Re: Stiff gear change
Yes, but sadly I don't have one that is local and I could use should I run over a day.
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talkingcars
- Posts: 5766
- Joined: Tue Mar 09, 2010 10:44 pm
- MGF Register Region: South East
- Model of Car: mk1 VVC
- Location: West Sussex
- Contact:
Re: Stiff gear change
I assumed you had access to one based on your earlier post...….
It is possible on a couple of axle stands too.
It is possible on a couple of axle stands too.
Home to black Alfa 159 3.2 V6 Q4, blue MGZR160, green MGF VVC and grey MGF 1.8i, and red MG Maestro T16.
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RobboMC
- Posts: 1059
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- MGF Register Region: Eastern Australia
- Model of Car: 1999 Mpi
Re: Stiff gear change
Have you checked under the gear lever shroud at the driver's end?
You have to remove the console first, the shroud is screwed in from the underside!
There's some stuff down there called gimble bolts. This mechanism basically creates the rocking to and from and left and right
for the gear lever. My car needed a complete rebuild of those gimble bolts.
All up cost be about A$3 for the parts ( at the local bolt shop ) and about 3 hours of my time, it's very, very fiddly.
I would not start thinking about changing cables until you have removed, greased rebuilt the rocker mecahnism
at the gear lever end. If the rocker bolts are rusty and sticking it's possible this could cause stiffness.
When you remove the console trim you may be able to see down there, but to actually work on the mechanism
you will need to start from the T-Bar and remove all the trim from the entire centre area. Sounds worse than it is,
each piece is held in with just a couple of screws.
Rob has some nice photos somewhere as his 'project' has no interior trim.
You have to remove the console first, the shroud is screwed in from the underside!
There's some stuff down there called gimble bolts. This mechanism basically creates the rocking to and from and left and right
for the gear lever. My car needed a complete rebuild of those gimble bolts.
All up cost be about A$3 for the parts ( at the local bolt shop ) and about 3 hours of my time, it's very, very fiddly.
at the gear lever end. If the rocker bolts are rusty and sticking it's possible this could cause stiffness.
When you remove the console trim you may be able to see down there, but to actually work on the mechanism
you will need to start from the T-Bar and remove all the trim from the entire centre area. Sounds worse than it is,
each piece is held in with just a couple of screws.
Rob has some nice photos somewhere as his 'project' has no interior trim.
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johncooper
- Posts: 46
- Joined: Sun May 04, 2008 5:01 pm
- MGF Register Region: South East
- Model of Car: MGTF 135 M.G. M type
Re: Stiff gear change
Thanks for that tip, I'll have a look and see. But I must change the exhaust box and then get it MOT'd which is due at the end of the month, so don't want to do anything in case it takes longer than I expect.