Stiff gear lever

[Chris W]

I’ve always thought my gear changes have been too clunky and heavy. And never as smooth as I would expect. I’ve had the gearbox oil changed with no luck. Also the gear stick never really sits where you want it too. It seems like it’s not falling back into the middle. So rarely does it slip into 3rd when you push it straight up.
Is this a common thing? Any quick fixes or just learn to live with it?

[Ian_C]

I’m not an expert however I understand that the shift pins are prone to wear and can cause the issues you’re experiencing. That said, I thought they were part of the gearbox so seems odd that you’ve still got the problem if the gearbox has been changed. Anyone else got an idea?

[Chris W]

I’m not an expert however I understand that the shift pins are prone to wear and can cause the issues you’re experiencing. That said, I thought they were part of the gearbox so seems odd that you’ve still got the problem if the gearbox has been changed. Anyone else got an idea?

I’m an idiot! I meant to say gearbox oil!!! It’s the original gearbox, it used to have a short shifter which I had changed back to an original. The short shifter was worse!
I’ve changed the original post to say gearbox oil. Sorry for the confusion.

[Ian_C]

Ah, makes sense now! Shift pins is probably the answer then. Gearbox out to do that I think.

[Dave P]

Guide here for replacing the shift pins,

https://www.z3mcoupe.com/forum/showthread.php?t=19931