[Larry Currie]

<img src="/forum/images/smilies/968/dry.gif" class="smilie" alt="" /> I'm not sure what I'm talking about here, but maybe someone that knows our cars can help me understand. On Thanksgiving Day while trying to impress my Son on how fast I could go from 0 to 60, my speed shift broke the locking ring on the unit that connects the shifter with the transmission. A $1.50 part and 1 1/2 hours labor and I was back on the road. Now, the problem is that as I started to back out of the garage this week, the same problem again. It won't go into any gear. It goes back to the shop Tuesday, but I'd like to be more educated on how to fix this problem. My mechanic usally comes up with something extra when he has to redo a fix. He's already said that the unit that this "C" ring attaches to might have been stripped when I did the shift on Thanksgiving Day and it may need to be replaced. Any ideas guys?

Larry

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[JWahlsten]

I just got done installing a "short shift" kit in my car, and am familiar with the area you're describing. What I don't understand is what your mechanic means by the part being stripped. Take a look at the 968 parts catalog MG 7 page one, or search the PET for shift lever and you'll see what I mean. There is nothing to "strip" as it's only a c-clip and a groove in the intermediate shift lever.



If you rounded off that groove with one hard shift, you're either one strong dude or your intermediate shift lever already had problems. If it's the lever, try to find a used one. I've never heard of one failing before.



Can you get it in gear while the car is off? If not, I am thinking clutch or shift fork related.



When you replaced the shift lever did you get all of the connections tightened. Sometimes those two bolts holding to the tranny and shift lever are a bear... If that c-clip wasn't fully seated, it would be easy to move it with the mechanical advantage of the front shift lever.

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[Larry Currie]

I think the C clip just poped off again. It was hard to get it into reverse after the first fix and I think it poped off while I was trying to get it into reverse. It may be as simple as cleaning the grove and reinstalling the clip. I just don't understand why it came off again.

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[JWahlsten]

Are you doing this with the part still in the car? It only takes a few minutes to remove it, and then you can be sure the c-clip is seated correctly in the groove.



The best way to get to it is on a lift, but I did my last three on three different cars in my garage. You just need to remove the rear tire to get the best access. Of course, I still have a bruise on my upper arm from wriggling (word?) around in there.

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