Gear shift disaster-help!

[Rosko]

My gear stick jumped out yesterday and although I've got it back in I can't get reverse now. I know the long term answer is to start replacing stuff but does anybody have any temporary fix advice I could try? The van is my daily and only transport and I've promised the kids a trip to the snow tomorrow...

Any tips might save my life!

 

[Benyon]

The same happened to me the night before my mum's wedding and I couldn't fix it in the dark on my own. In the daylight I was under the van covered in grease and fixed with half an hour to get a shower and dressed and be wedding transport!!

My gearstick came out as only the rear bolt was tightened to any degree, the front bolt was sitting loose which enabled the gearstick to move and work the rear bolt loose. Can you get all other gears satisfactorily, and does it drive ok in all gears?

At a risk of stating the obvious have you made sure the pin in the ball at the bottom of the gear stick lines up with the cut out in the cup of the shift rod? I had to lie underneath while a friend moved the gear stick until it was all in position then quickly put the bolts in without moving anything - then check its all still in line before tightening both bolts up fully.

Good luck 8)

 

[Rosko]

Cheers Benyon
I think I've done all that but reverse just won't have it. The other gears drive well but it feels a bit odd getting them. Haven't had anyone available to help so it might not be in quite the right positon, I'll try again when my beautiful assistant is available!

 

[Gdaykombis]

HI, What you need to do is undone the 2 13mm bolts mounted to the cab floor. Lift up the whole assembly.

You need to check the bottom plate is around the correct way. On a RHD van the raised part which is around 10 mm long needs to be on the n/s. Put it all back together and only just get the bolts in place with a couple of turns. you then place the lever in the second gear position. Once this is done tighten up the bolts. You should then have reverse!!

Hope this helps.

 

[Rosko]

Thanks for that Gday.

Combination of the two sets of advice came good so its off to the Pyrenees tomorrow and we can get to work next week too! 8)

Thanks again to Early Bayers for the usual expertise without smugness- essential for the like of me...