Gearbox selector arm bush

[lambytone]

Hi. Can anybody tell me the consequences of a worn gear change bush. I have a 62 Li that I'm finishing off for a friend. The engine was built by a dealer and was already in the frame when I recieved it. I've connected the cables and can access all gears properly other than 1st. Looking at the selector arm, the shaft seems to be moving forward in its housing when I try and select 1st rather than rotating. I don't want to strip the gearbox because It was built and paid for through a dealer. So I am wondering what are your thoughts. Thanks.

[storkfoot]

Do you have the GP or LI type selecter shaft? I have come across a few poor gear change mechanisms with worn out components but they are usually the LI shaft being worn on the splines or the tie rod being worn out. Check these too as I suspect they may be the more likely cause of bad gear selection.

[lambytone]

It's the Li type. Is it usually wear on the shaft or the arm. I could strip it but the guy has paid for a rebuild so it's not my responsibility. If it's the arm I could replace that. I should have some spare somewhere.

[storkfoot]

You can see if there's any slop in the splines quite easily by wiggling the gear change. Sometimes all it needs in the stud tightening but on original machines that have been on the roads for years and years, the splines often wear out.

But, if you can wiggle the shaft itself then, as you say, the bush may be worn out.

If this is the case, and provided it's not just the cables needing adjusting, then I'd suggest your mate takes it back to the dealer.

[lambytone]

Its the whole shaft that's moving. I've tightened the arm and its made no difference. The arm while on the shaft, instead of rotating, seems to be moving in the housing back and forth. You can see the shaft moving with it. I've already got in touch with the lad and he has given me the dealers number to explain what the problem is.