Gear Selector problems

[olympia5776]

'01 75 PS FWD 70K miles.
Driving back home this afternoon when slowing down to turn into drive and changing from 3rd to 2nd gearchange went wooly and imprecise. Difficult to get any gear but some more than others .
Up to that instant everything was well and change was slick, exact and precise so I don't think it is a cable issue.
I have taken it to a friends garage who got it over the pit and has checked the cables and linkage and he says it seems OK. He is suggesting that an item under the selector linkage on the top of the gearbox is the culprit . Not sure what this is but I'm sure he said it had six bolts securing it . He has changed these before and suggested that the cost for the part was about £120 if that helps.
I mentioned about the 10mm a pinch bolt that shears in there but he was unaware of that problem . I add that he is an honest guy and has asked me to call him back tonight if I can get some info to help.
So can any body tell me what this component is that he is suggesting we replace and would it give the symptoms I speak of ?
What are the symptoms when the pinch bolt shears ?
I'm about to delve into the TIS disc now to see if I can identify anything
I've did a search on selector problems and some seem similar but none seem to be as sudden as this .
Cheers
Don

[ake]

Try this viewtopic.php?f=5&t=54722&start=0&hilit=selector
or this viewtopic.php?f=2&t=37771&hilit=selector+bolt

[olympia5776]

Try this viewtopic.php?f=5&t=54722&start=0&hilit=selector
or this viewtopic.php?f=2&t=37771&hilit=selector+bolt

Thanks for that Ake
Funnily enough I've just read the first one .
Bit more familier with things now since doing a search.
It's the selector mechanism that he is suggesting is at fault.
He checked the plastic box under gearlever to ensure all cable clips were intact.
I can engage gears although the change is wooly and imprecise and this occurred suddenly without warning .
If the pinch bolt was the culprit would I still be able to select gears at all ?
Can the selector mechanism fail in this way suddenly ?
With a second person in the van moving the gears the selector mechanism moves but not smoothly or freely and has to be assisted by hand at the gearbox when attempting to engage some of the gears.
It's difficult to be certain what gear is selected until clutch is released.
Don

[olympia5776]

Just to wind the thread up problem was the selector mechanism . New one fitted and gears are slick and precise again. Interestingly there was a knocking noise that came from the passengers footwell area that was getting worse ,it also was audible when applying or lifting off throttle. It's gone and no other thing was touched.
Paying invoice tomorrow and will pick up old selector to have a good look at it.

[Lunepilot]

Whats the cause of the pinch bolt snapping and is there a cure to prevent it from happening.

[Dan T]

Just to wind the thread up problem was the selector mechanism . New one fitted and gears are slick and precise again. Interestingly there was a knocking noise that came from the passengers footwell area that was getting worse ,it also was audible when applying or lifting off throttle. It's gone and no other thing was touched.
Paying invoice tomorrow and will pick up old selector to have a good look at it.

Only the top seal and bearing needed replaced, costing a few quid each. But it's done now

[Dan T]

Whats the cause of the pinch bolt snapping and is there a cure to prevent it from happening.

Somtimes they sheer off. why i'm not exactly sure, but it's most likely stress on the bolt.
More commonly the bolt works loose and drops out. This is prevented by using loctite on the bolt.