heavy gear change

[geoff9536]

Hi I'm new to the forum but may need help! owned my stag for 19 years but a new problem. when garraged overnight, before starting engine gearchange feels as normal, but after starting and running for 2 mins the gear change feels very heavy. all gears engage smoothly no clutch drag but ghanging gear is very heavy! as stated i owned the car about 19 years and this has never happend before.
even after driving for about 10 miles still heavy so not cold oil. any thoughts on this?

[DJT]

Blimey, another new Forum member from Devon. That's two in one day! Can't offer you an immediate answer to your problem, Geoff, but will give it some thought.

Welcome on board.

[flying farmer]

When you say the gearchange is heavy, is the gearstick free moving from side to side, but stiff to move into all gears, or just some of the gears. If it moves freely then it is not a lubrication problem (I have just suffered from this on the TR, it needed a squirt of oil on the ball at the bottom of the gearstick)
If it is equally heavy in 1st/2nd, 3rd/4th and reverse, then all three selector rods are affected, and it would point to a problem in the top cover. If some gears are affected and not others it could possibly point to an internal gearbox problem.
Neil

[geoff9536]

all gears are affected, side to side is heavy as well. this only happens after engine is started. when left overnight the gearstick mooves freeley untill i start up

[DJT]

all gears are affected, side to side is heavy as well. this only happens after engine is started. when left overnight the gearstick mooves freeley untill i start up

Strange. Sounds like something getting tight as it warms up. The obvious question is oil level? I assume this is OK? What oil do you use? Has this been changed recently for a different type?

[Princejohny]

[all gears are affected, side to side is heavy as well. this only happens after engine is started. when left overnight the gearstick mooves freeley untill i start up]

Possibly the hydraulics Geoff. If no leaks present mebbe the seals have gone in the master or more likely slave cylinder. Vehicles with failed hydraulics are usually easy to put into gear when stopped but start up the engine and you get the difficulty (and/or crunches!)

Johny

[flying farmer]

If the stick is stiff to move side to side then it is just a stick problem as non of the selector rods are moving, all you are doing is moving the stick through the slot between the selector rods.
Remove the trim around the gearstick, then the rubber gaitor beneath it.A touch of oil around the base of the gearstick will probably free it up.
If that doesnt work, slack off the two side nuts either side of the metal cap holding the gearstick down, and remove the 7/16ths headed bolt at the back of the cap. If it is a Jtype overdrive box the cap can be released by pushing down and turning anti clockwise (like a light bulb). If it is an A type you may have to remove the side bolts completely as the cap will probably have holes not slots. The gearstick can then be lifted out, but look out for the anti rattle plunger that is in the base of the gearstick as it is easily lost. This could also be the cause of the problem if it is sticking. This plunger is missing from all my gearboxes (four of them), and I have never bothered replacing them as it makes replacing the gearstick more difficult and non of them rattle anyway.
A smear of grease around the ball on the bottom of the gearstick, and under the steel cap should fix it
Neil

[geoff9536]

thanks for all advice took the stag for a 20 mile run on the atlantic highway when it got good and hot all seemed o/k. today took out gear stick and lubricated everything, now very light like it used to be. Ithink the car was sulking as I had not ysed for a month! I'LL MAKE UP FOR IT THIS WEEKEND WITH A 600 MILE ROUND TRIP!