I can't shift to third gear

[Amateb8]

I went for a drive twice today. Everything was fine, but on the way home, I suddenly couldn't shift to third. It felt like I was trying to push the gear lever to third gear, but forgetting to press the clutch. So it made a weird grinding sound. First, second and fourth - no problems. It will shift to third gear with no issues when the car is not moving. It feels normal, but on the move, it will not shift to third. I knew something was about to happen when I shifted to third earlier. There was a reluctance (getting quite rubbery) to get into third gear, but it eventually popped in.

Any thoughts on what went wrong. It could be the gear linkage needs replacing.

[Gadge]

I think your third gear synchro ring (sometimes referred to as a bulk ring) as broke. Synchro rings act as mini clutches that speed up and slow down the next/previous gear so it can change smoothly. Without the synchro ring the two gears can't mesh together very well. Gears can be engaged when not in use as the gears aren't in motion. If it is this then a gearbox rebuild is the only answer.

[Amateb8]

:-Any idea how much it would cost to repair?

[Bar Vitelli]

It's probably not too serious, the gearboxes are actually very simple. My advice would be to take it to a place that specialises in gearbox repairs and they will do it in a whistle. Take it to a garage and they will grimace and triple your bill...

[Gadge]

It shouldn't be expensive. 126/500 gearboxes are very straight forward and to a classic car specialist or gearbox specialist it'll be very straightforward to strip down. I've even done one myself with no drama that's one of the best things about a 126 - there so simple

[ChrisRLewis]

It's worth checking the rubber linkage on the gear control linkage it may have come loose or perished?

[Rusty's Uncle]

You need to establish if it is a gear linkage problem or if it is internal gearbox. Could be the bush in the gear lever box breaking down. Is the gearbox mount secure?  If you have to have the gearbox pulled and rebuilt I suspect that the garages in your area are going to take you to the cleaners 
If you think that it is driveable to Chesham I could ask my mechanic mate if he would take it on. I am just rebuilding a 126 gearbox at the moment and I have got pretty much any spare part that might be needed.

[Amateb8]

Hi Rusty,
Many, many thanks for the offer. I'm not comfortable driving it that distance. The linkage (if it is the cause) might split along the way.

The only place I can take it to close to me is Proeitti. The garage is accessible by tube (just 5 stops) Hopefully, it is just the gear linkage. I'll take it to Proeitti when the weather improves.

Angelo

[Rusty's Uncle]

No problem Angelo , it was an idea that might have prevented a major haemorrhage in your wallet 
You must let us know how it turns out and by the way Chesham is right at the end of the Metropolitan line 

[Bar Vitelli]

I wish that there was a tube station that would get you to Halifax Rusty - my cars need all sorts of tinkering! 

[Amateb8]

Yes, definitely. Proeitti is just a 15 minute drive. The 20/30 mph speed limit suits my 126.

[Amateb8]

I am going to get it repaired at Proeitti. Quote £500+VAT. It will include replacing other seals (clutch seal?) and other bits and pieces.

[Rusty's Uncle]

You might have got a better quote from Kwik Fit 
Interesting that Proeitti can give you a quote without looking inside your gearbox but hey those clutch seals are like hen's teeth 

[Gadge]

A clutch seal??

[adeyspec]

sorry to hijack but does anyone have a picture or diagram showing the gear selector bush that can perish?