Lancia Beta Forum

Hi all, hope I make sense so here it goes, earlier today selecting 5th was harder than normal, got it in end, dropped down to 4th but then the gear stick had as much side to side movement as if it was in neutral! Tried to drop down again and couldn't work out what gear it was in!! Doesn't seem to be able to find first at all but still got home probably in 3rd and 4th! Once in garage tried to select reverse but nothing, can't seem to work out the gear selection pattern at all. To top that the back box broke off as well. Anyone had a similar issue? Hopefully not too bad. :(

Hello Frank, quiet day in the office for me... shouldn't really be reading Betaboyz page!
Anyhow, these gearboxes are normally bullet-proof with the weakness being the nylon bushes in the linkage. The struggle to find 5th sounds like the 'last straw' for one such bush which would explain the now sloppy lever.
It's an easy fix if that's the case.
Chris

Hi

Assuming it is a bushing issue, then you might want to invest in this kit from the US which replaces the bushes and the small link rod. I think someone on here in the UK replaced his recently with it.

http://www.fiatlancia.us (http://www.fiatlancia.us)

Peter

Thanks, I'm useless at this sort of mechanical stuff so thanks for speedy advice.
Franco

Definitely sounds like a linkage problem. Whenever gearboxes have failed on me (and never a Beta one) I've either lost a gear or stuck in a gear.