11 replies to this topic

[neet street]

Hi all, not been on for a while :-( just getting my mini ready for its last MOT and when taking a drive, I lost the ability to change gear? (stuck in 2nd) The gear stick has gone `floppy`. can anyone help please or give some suggestions as to what I could look for to solve the issue? The engine and gear box had been rebuilt about 3 years ago and was driving well but has been left standing since. starts and runs lovely, clutch is fine.

Thank you in advance

[neet street]

Hi all, not been on for a while :-( just getting my mini ready for its last MOT and when taking a drive, I lost the ability to change gear? (stuck in 2nd) The gear stick has gone `floppy`. can anyone help please or give some suggestions as to what I could look for to solve the issue? The engine and gear box had been rebuilt about 3 years ago and was driving well but has been left standing since. starts and runs lovely, clutch is fine.

Thank you in advance

Sorry, I should state that this is a 1988 model and has rod gear change mechinism

Thank you

[Rubbershorts]

Has the roll pin snapped where the rod attaches to the gear box? If you haven't already, have a look underneath. Daz.

Edited by Rubbershorts, 21 May 2026 - 01:51 PM.

[neet street]

Thanks Daz, will check tomorrow, appreciate you comming back to me

[nicklouse]

Check the locating pin in the housing is in place as that stops the stick rotating.

[neet street]

Thank you both, found the problem... One of the pins from the rod to the gearbox is not there, so must have escaped somehow.

realy appreciate your help and quick response

[stuart bowes]

this is an option, easier to fit.  a bit ££ though 

https://www.minispar...lector-coupling

 

a mini-forum subscription would give you a 7.5% discount... which on this order means probably just free delivery (ish)  lob a few other bits in and it'll definitely pay for itself

 

that's like the 3rd person I've suggested it to this week lol I make nothing out of by the way, I pay it myself as well

Edited by stuart bowes, 22 May 2026 - 09:09 AM.

[Rubbershorts]

As per Stu's suggestion. makes life a lot easier for future dismantling. It's the price of a bag full of roll pins but it's tricky to work under there without a ramp. Daz.

[stuart bowes]

yeah and when you're trying to hammer it in or out, the whole thing is flexing, and you're worrying about damaging the bushing in the gearbox (well, i was..)

[sledgehammer]

Put a suitable sized jubilee clip over the shaft with missing pin ,

 

Tap a new pin in ,

Then fit a jubilee clip over it ,

Make sure jubilee clips screw doesn't fowl the leavers movement ,

now it won't fall out .

[Spider]

Put a suitable sized jubilee clip over the shaft with missing pin ,

 

Tap a new pin in ,

Then fit a jubilee clip over it ,

Make sure jubilee clips screw doesn't fowl the leavers movement ,

now it won't fall out .

 

I've been putting tie wire through mine, but I like this idea, thanks.

I do put a bigger one around the bayonet cap that holds the gearstick in, to retain the 2 pins in that.

[sledgehammer]

Its easy to put the Jubilee clip on before the roll pin / pin

Not so easy as a retrofit ,

I'm wondering how I can fit a bias to 3 / 4 gear on the shaft without buying a kit -

 

I like a challenge ,