Crossflow 4 speed gearbox - Remote Gear Linkage Assembly Issue

[Tazio]

I, as the apprentice, with the help of Ian ( Wrightpayne, who is the true Garagiste), have been rebuilding a live axle crossflow that has the 4 speed gearbox, with the heath robinson linkage assembly that links the gearbox  gear lever to the remote gear lever.  We've only just put the drive train in, and bolted everything together, Currently it's very difficult to select 1st and 3rd, ( the box has been checked out by R&R), so my question is, are there any specific set up, or alignment issues that I need to know concerning the heath robinson linkage assembly, that could be contributing to my selection issues?

Alan

[GaryK]

Hi Alan

Not sure if this is any help but my car originally had a four speed but a previous owner put in a type 9 five speed. I wasn't happy with the linkage (two flat steel bars) and eventually came up with a solution using a 25 x 25 square aluminium bar which I directly connected to the short gearbox lever and then made a new remote level that didn't use the ball joint.

Gary

[Tazio]

Yes, I have the two flat steel bars, and various other bits clamping these onto the actual gear with nuts bolts top hats and bushes...that I cannot find anything about how this should bolted together correctly, shame it never had a properly engineered solution in the first place.

[GaryK]

This was the original setup

[Jonathan Kay]

The 1988 Assembly Guide has fitting notes for that and this diagram:

If anyone would like a copy please let me know.

Jonathan

 

[rkeywood]

Hi Alan,

Here's the diagram

Not the most elegant bit of engineering but simple and effective. From my experience, when properly fitted, you'd struggle to notice the difference from the selection on the box, after all it's only a parallel connection between the 2 points. Should have 'balls' and rubber turrets on both. If not selecting 1st and 3rd then are the bars the right length and is the gearbox correctly located on it's mount? The caterham bars are longer than those in Gary's pic and radiused on both ends if unmodified. Has the car always has a 4 speed box or has it been modified to have another box at some point in it's life? Have you sorted the reverse stop?

Rob

Edit: post crossed with Jonathan's

[Tazio]

Thanks gents, and thanks Jonathan, for the heads up where the picture came from, I've downloaded the 1988 Build manual from the FB group,  and found the reference re the assembly instructions, basically bolt it up and ensure the legs are parallel, other than that there's nothing to set up.  I think I might go and lube my nylon balls.....see if that helps too.

Alan.

[oldboarder]

you've had the Op then!!