Got a Stiffy today

[Kinger]

I was out in the S1 making the most of the good weather today. All went well for about an hour then started to feel slight difficulty changing between Second and Third, then started to feel stiff between fourth and third, and the same down to second.

Sometimes it would change quite easily, and then again couldn't find second or third only for it to free up later.

Not sure if its selectors cables/mechanism or gearbox ? When in neutral the gear lever now seems a bit stiff to waggle about.

The thought's of the collective would be appreciated.

Cheers

[philthy]

Take a look at the cables at the gearbox selector end, the sheath around mine frayed and caused the same issues until I eventually lost the ability to select 1st, 3rd and fifth

[mwmackenzie]

Elise Shop seem the best price for cables! Really thought this was going to be a Tut confessional, shocked to see it was you Kinger!

[tut]

You actually were on the mark Mark.
Sunday is OAP's day.

tut

[Kinger]

Am no an OAP yet !!!!

[woody]

Elise Shop seem the best price for cables! Really thought this was going to be a Tut confessional, shocked to see it was you Kinger!

It'll take weeks and hassle to actually get the cables though, even if they show in stock /voe.

I wasted 2 days off on separate weeks waiting on them.

[Kinger]

I liked the look of the EP cables, does the problem sound like cables ?.

Don't fancy blowing £200 if its not the cables !!

[mckeann]

You need to get the undertray off and have a look. Could be as simple as the retaining clips having fallen down.

[Kinger]

You need to get the undertray off and have a look. Could be as simple as the retaining clips having fallen down.

Sounds like a good job for next week when the mother in law is here.

[robin]

Does the lever feel stiff anyway (e.g. going left/right, fore/aft) when the engine is off? Although it can be awkward to select gears when the engine is off, normally once you've selected 3 & 4 then you can move fore/aft between those two gears happily until you select another gear. Ditto for 1-2.

If the lever is approximately as stiff with engine off and clutch down as when the engine is running then I think you're definitely looking at linkage.

If the lever moves freely, then fire up the engine and repeat the test (expect a certain amount of synchro resistance); if the lever is much stiffer now and the car lunges a bit when you push into gear then you've got a clutch that isn't totally disengaging.

In your case I suspect linkage.

Beyond actual seized cable the three areas to look at are
* The clips (make sure they are pushed all the way up, probably lock them in place with a tie wrap for safety - bugger if they fall off while you're out and about).
* The rubber bushes that fit in the cable eyes - there are naturally perforated - but if they've perished then there will be too much slack in them resulting in excessive lever motion; that in turn might make the final gear selection process seem stiff.
* The cross gate selector and associated arms - these can simply seize - easiest is to completely remove the whole mechanism, clean and lubricate with something appropriate (I've used moly grease, but no doubt there is something better out there).

See this picture:

http://www.deroure.com/images/diagrams/13/47_05.gif

The top right is the bit at the back (the rest is in the cabin and unlikely to be your problem).

Clips are 14.
Bushes are shown in cable eyes, EP and others sell replacement bushes - not sure lotus do.
Cross gate selector is 33, rod ends 17 connect it to actual gear selector 44.

Note that the more complex mechanism is for the left/right motion of the stick - the direct cable->selector is the fore/aft motion that actually pushes you into gear.

There is some value in popping the cables eyes off the studs and checking that the lever now moves freely - that eliminates pretty much everything from the stick to the cable ends.

Cheers,
Robin

[Scotty C]

this will keep IT warm

[Kinger]

this will keep IT warm

That would keep my Knob warm these cold winter mornings, in Aberdeen colours too !!

[Ferg]

If the gear change comes back once cooled down its worth checking if the cables have heat protection where they pass near the exhaust. If the cables get too hot, the inside lining gets sticky and can make changes harder/stiffer. If so you can put some basic heat shielding around them to reduce the effect. Also worth checking if the cables are drooping such that fitting the undertray moves the cables closer to the exhaust when fitted.

[Kinger]

If the gear change comes back once cooled down its worth checking if the cables have heat protection where they pass near the exhaust. If the cables get too hot, the inside lining gets sticky and can make changes harder/stiffer. If so you can put some basic heat shielding around them to reduce the effect. Also worth checking if the cables are drooping such that fitting the undertray moves the cables closer to the exhaust when fitted.

Got a new set of EP cables and linkage kit, hoping to fit them tomorrow or Thursday. I'll have a look at the heat protection as it does free off when cold. Just finished fitting harness bar, seat grommets and harnesses. Now Just have to muster some enthusiasm to get on to the cables. Being so cold it might just be a CMC job.

[Ferg]

Nice upgrades.