Gear lever went floppy. (Fixed)

[Gromett]

I am having one of those weeks.

Driving back from the shop through town and went to get into 3rd gear and the gear lever was floppy.
Kept it going and limped the 2 miles back at <20mph with hazards on.

I was expecting to have to try and get my Haynes manual back which I had given away.

But just did a search on youtube, found a video with floppy loose gear lever vivaro in the title.
Straight to the point and easy to understand.

I am just waiting for the engine to cool down then it looks like I am lifting the bonnet. Grrr.

I don't normally do anything mechanical as I am lazy and don't like working in the cold and wet.
But I blew my budget on the van this week getting the brakes sorted ready for the MOT, so rather than calling the mobile mechanic out I am going to do it myself.

Hopefully nothing more this month please.

On the upside. At least it seems like a simple job and nothing too serious and I got back safely.

 

[Gromett]

How did we manage before youtube

 

[Rob Hammond]

How did we manage before youtube

Taught by Dad uncle etc

 

[Gromett]

Well that took 1 minute to fix. Most of that was me walking back to the workshop to get a 2 foot length of 3" dowel and a hammer to tap it into place (gently).

Got 2 of these on order.

Gear Linkage Cable Repair Clip For Vivaro Renault Trafic Vauxhall Nissan Clamp | eBay

Fits For Any Vivaro 2001 Onwards. Fits For Any Trafic 2001 Onwards. 2X H7 LED Headlight Bulb Holder Adapter Fit For Audi BMW Benz Skoda VW Vauxhall. Universal Car Suction Windscreen Mount 360° Tablet Holder For iPad 7" To 11".

www.ebay.co.uk

As per the video.

 

[nicholsong]

Karl

I wondered if the title was an innuendo for a personal problem.

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[Just smiffy]

I haven’t had a floppy knob for ages…

 

[Rob Hammond]

Well that took 1 minute to fix. Most of that was me walking back to the workshop to get a 2 foot length of 3" dowel and a hammer to tap it into place (gently).

Got 2 of these on order.

Gear Linkage Cable Repair Clip For Vivaro Renault Trafic Vauxhall Nissan Clamp | eBay

Fits For Any Vivaro 2001 Onwards. Fits For Any Trafic 2001 Onwards. 2X H7 LED Headlight Bulb Holder Adapter Fit For Audi BMW Benz Skoda VW Vauxhall. Universal Car Suction Windscreen Mount 360° Tablet Holder For iPad 7" To 11".

www.ebay.co.uk

As per the video.

There you can do it

 

[CAB96]

I haven’t had a floppy knob for ages…

That's Brazilians for you!

 

[L' Hobo]

I haven’t had a floppy knob for ages…

and hope you never get one IF it takes a 2foot length of 3 inch dowel and a big hammer to fix it!

 

[meanders]

3" is dowel is huge! Where on earth do you get that from?

Autocorrect just changed dowel to bowel that would have changed the meaning somewhat!

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[Wildbill]

I am having one of those weeks.

Driving back from the shop through town and went to get into 3rd gear and the gear lever was floppy.
Kept it going and limped the 2 miles back at <20mph with hazards on.

I was expecting to have to try and get my Haynes manual back which I had given away.

But just did a search on youtube, found a video with floppy loose gear lever vivaro in the title.
Straight to the point and easy to understand.

I am just waiting for the engine to cool down then it looks like I am lifting the bonnet. Grrr.

I don't normally do anything mechanical as I am lazy and don't like working in the cold and wet.
But I blew my budget on the van this week getting the brakes sorted ready for the MOT, so rather than calling the mobile mechanic out I am going to do it myself.

Hopefully nothing more this month please.

On the upside. At least it seems like a simple job and nothing too serious and I got back safely.

Bet it had pop out one of the gear linkages
Wb

 

[fishplug]

How did we manage before youtube

The university of YouTube is just fantastic. I've learned so much from it.

Taught by Dad uncle etc

In my case learned the hard way by having no money and therefore terrible condition ancient old bangers. Haynes manual was the first thing I bought after buying the car and if the car came with one I'd look at the pages with the oily thumbprints on to get a clue as to what work had been done previously!

Fond memories of lying on my back in the snow under a Mini shorting the starter motor terminals with a screwdriver while tapping it with a hammer to unstick the bendix... or having the engine cut out in heavy rain because too much water got into the distributor cap and having to dry it off and then 'waterproof' it with an old crisp packet and some electrical insulating tape.

Always carried tools because you were going to need them. Don't expect too many still do that these days.

 

[carolyn]

My Uncle John was the chief printer at Haynes from the time John Haynes first started the manuals commercially at Sparkford. For some reason he was known as Ken at work?

 

[Gromett]

Bet it had pop out one of the gear linkages
Wb

Yup, as per the video it had popped out. Once it has popped out once it will keep doing it apparently. So I have ordered the clamp in the ebay link above. Less than £5 and a minute to fit is much easier/cheaper than replacing the whole cable.

 

[L' Hobo]

Yup, as per the video it had popped out. Once it has popped out once it will keep doing it apparently. So I have ordered the clamp in the ebay link above. Less than £5 and a minute to fit is much easier/cheaper than replacing the whole cable.

and while you wait, just hold it together with a couple cable tyes

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[Gromett]

and while you wait, just hold it together with a couple cable tyes

That is what has been done

 

[Gromett]

3" is dowel is huge! Where on earth do you get that from?

My mate had a joinery workshop/factory. He did everything from spiral staircases down.
When he closed up I helped clear the factory out and thought it would come in handy.
A really high quality bit of very, very hard wood. Has come in useful many, many times over the years.

 

[Wildbill]

and while you wait, just hold it together with a couple cable tyes

I put cable tyes on one of my linkages temporarily thay were still on five years later
WB

 

[Gromett]

I put cable tyes on one of my linkages temporarily thay were still on five years later
WB

Based on this and the fact my neighbour did exactly the same I am going to save myself a fiver and leave it with the tie wrap on

I will carry a spare in the van just in case.