Sloppy Gear Selector Mechanism

[pturner3]

My gear selector is horribly sloppy.


Now, I havent had a close look at the cables and mechanism yet, but I plan to look this week. Reading some previous posts about cable ends coming disconnected, I'm assuming that the nylon bushes (correct me if I'm wrong about these being fitted) at each end of the cables may just simply be worn out.

Looking in the parts manuals, it is not clear if these could be pressed out and new ones pressed in (e.g buy some new cables from Ebay from another Renault that uses the PK6 gearbox, as will be cheaper, and remove the nylon bushes from them and fit to the V6 cables) I would imagine that the V6 cable length is specific, but the cable ends are probably common.

The parts manual is not very detailed for the gear lever selector mechanism either. Perhaps there could be some slack here too?

Does anyone have any useful information or knowledge they could share on this subject?

Many thanks

Phil

 

[Jamesv6]

I looked in the Tech Manual and that is most unhelpful, all it says on the subject is "Disconnect the gear selection cables from the gearbox"

Brett (Oldskoolbaby) has had some experience with these cables if you want to give him a shout.

 

[v6Max]

The cables have a plastic fitting that presses on to spherical joints on the bottom of the engage shaft and the selector bell crank.

To be honest it's unlikely that these are where you are getting a sloppy gear change from - they needed considerable persuasion on mine which had done around 55k miles.

The mechanism itself could be a source of slop due to wear - the main casing and pivot is ABS plastic and was showing signs of wear on mine. The bell crank actuator shaft has a nylon collar around it that lifts the bell crank torsion spring - this had also worn slightly.

 

[pturner3]

Thats some good info there; thanks for taking the time to reply. Don't you just love ABS plastic?!

I'm going to be doing a bit of work on the car tomorrow, so might whip out the centre console and take a look at that side of things.

I'll post any finds related to this on here when I do.

Cheers guys

 

[pturner3]

Removed the mechanism and got some pics of the cracking on plastic bushing:

 

[pturner3]

The bottom picture is not clear, but there is a crack at 6 o'clock..

Paul at RPD quoted me about £180 for new mechanism complete. I might invest in a new one....

Oh, and the car has done 33000 miles.

 

[v6Max]

Mine is the same - it's unlikely to be a crack and more likely a feature of the design of both parts to allow assembly. If you look at both you'll see they're too accurate to be a crack and as they match the exact same positions as mine if it's even less likely.

Unless we're both very unlucky I'd get a picture of a brand new/exchange part - I'd not be surprised if you see the same features on both components.

So define sloppy:

Do you mean that the stick waggles around when you're driving around?
Do you mean that when you change gear it feels like you're stirring a box of treacle?

Before you took the mechanism out did you try it out and see if the bowden cables were moving properly - the whole mechanism including the cables should move pretty much immediately with any deflection of the gear stick.

 

[pturner3]

Hi

Yes, I appreciate that the component is likely to be split to allow assembly, as with most of these type of materials and components. However, there is a definate crack in it!
Aplologies, I was only referring to the bottom pic, but added some more just for reference and info.

Before I removed the mechanism, I checked the cable and connections for clearances from input to output, and there is absolutely minimal play. I am going to order a new selector mechanism and fit when I return from work in a couple of months time. Will update this thread when I do.

Also, the busing that holds the gearknob in place has also cracked, and you can only buy this with the whole assembly! Two birds with one stone....

Sloppy: Its not moving around when I drive, it really isnt that bad, but I like everything to be maintained to a high standard on my car, and its simply a case of me being anal !

cheers
Phil

 

[pturner3]

Ok, so took it apart:

Here's some better shots of the cracking:

 

[pturner3]

Had my new mechanism arrive - in the same condition as mine. Paul @ RPD being very good as usual and sending me another one.
I suspect that this will be suffering from the same problem. If so, will be looking at making the cracked Nylon parts out of Brass.

It just looks like poor quality material and tolerances causing the cracking. The part is obviously a few years old and been sat on the shelf in France, and likely expanding and contracting with temp/humidity changes.

Just for info........

 

[Brett]

Could be a case of being a little too anal maybe? It is a french hatch after all not an exotic super car with a sexy polished gear gaitor lol.

 

[thunderstarter]

Could be a case of being a little too anal maybe? It is a french hatch after all not an exotic super car with a sexy polished gear gaitor lol.

If it can be made right, then why not have a go at it? Our cars are pretty much hand built, so whilst being French they are not far off being exotic!

I reckon an engineer could make that joint up pretty easily. Phil, is there a reason why it would need to be brass? if it was machined from aluminium would that do the same job?

 

[pturner3]

Thanks Dan

I am an engineer! We have the facilities onboard to make this no problem, although I will prob get my collegue to make it, as he is much better on the lathe and milling machine than me.
Only reason is Brass is what I have available! You are right, Aluminium would be better - just need to find some.

Brett - Of course it is. It's all about being anal with these cars! I like things to work as they should.

 

[v6Max]

I had the same part (just different size) machined on a CNC lathe when I was working on a re-design of the mechanism - I supplied the drawings and material and had the part back in a day. Aluminium was straight 6082 from eBay.

Issue to think of would be that you'd be introducing an aluminium / ABS combination, will you see accelerated wear of the casing?

 

[pturner3]

You are right that different materials could introduce wear in the casing. My thinking is that with sufficient grease it should be ok. The existing problem is that the components are failing anyway!
Did you notice this problem on your selector, before you modified it?

I'm running out of time at work to do this job at the moment, it may just be the gear knob bushing that we make.

Have you got any contact details for this guy with the CNC lathe? I could provide drawings and material also. That would be useful...
We dont have a CNC lathe at work, which of course would be far superior.

Cheers
Phil