can't get into gears 2002 Ford Transit 260S

[wilbertd]

Hi, I got a 2002 Ford Transit 260S
Yesterday while driving I couldn't get into fifth gear, then the first and second started to hard to get into.
Luckily I was almost home and right in front of the house, the whole stick just sort of stiffened.
I can still get into 3 and 4, but I have to use some force.

I opened the hood and by hand I find no problems getting into the gears.
But there is also this 'box' right under the stick (?)

Does anyone recognize theses problems?

[sos.services]

The cables run into that box under the gearstick, theres loads of threads on here about adjusting them, if you can get gears by moving the selector on the gear box then it will be a cable fault. Try adjusting them first as there not cheap to buy

[wilbertd]

Okay thanks.
You think this tread will go for me as well?
http://fordtransit.org/forum/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=58165

[Punto443]

This is a classic gear selector bearing failure, it can happen very quickly and with out much warning.

Sometimes you can flood the shaft with wd40 as a quick fix, but longterm it will need the bearing and dust seal replaced.
It's a fairly simple job, even without much mechanical experience

Look over this "how too"
viewtopic.php?f=18&t=111349

Last time I bought the bearing and seal, it was around £15


Good luck

[wilbertd]

But if it is the gear selector bearing, wouldn't I also have problems moving the arm?
It still moves quite easy if I do it by hand on the gearbox itself.

[Punto443]

Does it move freely up and down, as well as forwards an back?

[Punto443]

If it does, then it's probably the cables, but from the symptoms it sounds like both cables would have to have failed at the same time?

[wilbertd]

Hmm, no.
It moves back and forth, not up and down.

[Punto443]

I'd say it's the bearing then

[wilbertd]

I'm tend to believe you
I will give it a try with WD40 first, just to get me on the road again.

Thanks for the help and very useful link (good photo's).

[wilbertd]

Wow.
I didn't have a can of WD40, but I did have a can of 'contact spray'.
When I has spraying I didn't really have much hope.
But it took just a minute or two. Now it shifts better than ever.
Thanks for the tips.

[Punto443]

Glad you got it going, long term it may need a bearing, but some last fore ages after being freed off

[Wadey]

Iv just changed the bearing for a customer today bearing was £7 and the seal was £5 about an hour or so was all done !

[wilbertd]

Glad you got it going, long term it may need a bearing, but some last fore ages after being freed off

As from today it still works
Long live WD40

[wilbertd]

I'm about to buy a new car, but the problem never came back after some WD40