Shift linkage question

[ducttape]

I am looking at a Series III that I test drove today. Can anyone answer a question?

The shift linkage is the widest, loosest I have ever driven. (Granted, not a whole lot of Rover driving time here)

Is that normal? I mean, when not in gear it was all over the place. I don't know the cause of that in general, or the consequences of it. Is it normal, and/or should I worry?

Thanks!
David

[graniterover]

My guess is that it's normal, but I don't know what you consider 'all over the place'. I would guess I can move my shifter 18 inches left to right.

You need to be more careful of reverse not working and/or it popping out of gear.

Just check the bulkhead and frame, everything else is easy.

[jp-]

Shifter slop is quite normal in S3's (from what I hear) as the shifter has a plastic ball on the end. S2's had steel balls.

Replace the plastic ball or fit an earlier S2 shifter.

[BackInA88]

I just rebuilt my Series IIa trans into fully synchro.
The Series III trans I got for the conversion had a shifter with the steel ball end and O-ring groove.
The ball on my old shifter had pretty good size flat spots worn on it.
After using the Series III's shift I found there was a huge reduction in free play.
It's much nicer and easier to shift.

[ducttape]

Thanks, I think all of these put it into proper perspective. David

[Pete]

It could also mean the 2 springs that connect the reverse gate are broken. If they are broken that would add another 3+ inches of movement.

Pete

[ducttape]

you're not helping, Pete...

Seriously, thanks. I've pretty much made up my mind I'm in. So I imagine I'll be back with ALL SORTS of questions and stuff. This truck rides a tad differently than my 73 2002tii.

[Tim Smith]

Hi from another past 2002 owner. 76' vintage as I remember, but it was a round tail light. You tell me...

Any way, if you could drive a 2002, then a series rover shifter should feel like Ferrari precision engineering at your hand. No muddy shifting.

There is a lot more throw in the shifting shaft of a rover but don't forget that these are basically farm tractors with the added plus of jumping on the highway every once in a while. Moving you arm a half foot to get it into the next gear isn't really a problem.

If however you do have worn shifters, then you might find yourself in my situation at some point.

1. Point for first gear, and you find the shifter went to some weird place that you are unaware of.
2. Try to accelerate and realize you are either in third, reverse, neutral or some combination of them. But stuck good!
3. When the horns start, don't freak out. Didn't you hear me? Stop freaking out!!! PUT THAT MIDDLE FINGER DOWN! You are a series driver now and you have more character than that! As they are paying 500+ a month for a car they will never own, you are free to break down right in front of them and ruin their owner experience.
4. Now take out your handy flat head screwdriver which you had on-board (yup nautical terms now baby).
5. Unscrew the low range lever bracket on the tunnel (yes you are sitting inside the cab) without removing the knob, or anything else of importance.
6. Then crawl in on the passenger side (of a left hand drive) and align the shifting levers into neutral with your shiftier in the middle. A flashlight might be needed for this.
7. Lastly drive off knowing that you just saved your self a few hundred in towing costs, warranty repairs and leasing for the month.
8. Oh yeah, place the screwdriver where you found. Under the last place you will look...

Cheers,
Tim

[BackInA88]

you're not helping, Pete...

Seriously, thanks. I've pretty much made up my mind I'm in. So I imagine I'll be back with ALL SORTS of questions and stuff. This truck rides a tad differently than my 73 2002tii.

That 2002 had a shift what 8-10 inches long?
What's the LR 24 inches?

A little slop mades a big difference at that radio.

BTW... Who can recommend and good radar detector to but in my IIa?
And has anyone done power side mirrors?
Those fender mirrors are a pain to adjust!

[ducttape]

That 2002 had a shift what 8-10 inches long?
What's the LR 24 inches?

A little slop mades a big difference at that radio.

BTW... Who can recommend and good radar detector to but in my IIa?

Round lights stopped in 73 I believe. the BIG bumper (everything is relative) started in 74

Radar detector? I actually said to my son "Well, at least there will be no need for one of those!" pointing to my Escort.

I'm actually looking forward to this experience.