R4 Gear change issues

[BRUCE POLLARD]

Hi all. My R4 1984 GTL has started to jump out of first gear and is becoming difficult to select reverse and 2nd. As the clutch is working fine, I believe this is due to a worn gear change lever ?? the one that goes into the gear box. I have tried various sources to get a new one but with no luck. I actually paid for one on CarParts-Pros.com of Germany but they have since refunded me and advised they cannot get one. My local Renault dealer found the part on the system but it is discontinued in the UK and France, part number 7700530247. I have found 2 used ones one the internet but cannot be sure they would be any better.
I can't imagine I am the only person in the world with this issue, any suggestions greatly received. I am planning to take a long drive through France in 3 weeks but will have to cancel if I cannot fix it.
Many thanks, Bruce.

 

[reidalpine]

Hi Bruce,sorry about your problems.2 easy ones first: Are you positively Certain clutch releases properly?
have you checked the 2 springs clipped onto gear-rod by C-clips ? they are there to give a little resistance to the gear-rod
and to keep it from rattling around.. If you move rod from under hood (motor not started of course) can you get it to shift
in out of all gears? It's easy to get gearbox top-lid off in-situ.(watch the 3 small bearingballs under the top lid when you
lift it off -straight up.Also be sure to insert balls ontop of springs b4 mounting lid back on..
Note position of selectors- If selectors are worn to the point you can't get into/out of gears it should be easy to see
the wear.
In case you need to change these,you shouldn't have too much trouble locating a complete top-lid with parts you need at
the scrappies or on forum here..there must be lots of members that has an old gearbox laying around

Thats my 2 bits in /Hope you get it sorted -R.

 

[jcarruthers2]

Hi Bruce

As you have already checked the clutch and are happy with its performance. The next line of enquiry would be the gear change bushes and rubbers and gear change springs which are positioned along the gear change mechanism. A quick visual check will indicate whether you need to change these. If the rubbers have split or perished, if the plastic bushes have deteriorated or ovaled out, they would affect gear selection and would need changing. The smaller top bush and rubber pass through the crossmember which is bolted to both inner wings. The larger bush and rubber are further along at the gearbox end where the gearshift lever is located. There should also be two gear change springs, one nearer to the bulkhead, attached to a black circular piece of plastic located on the gear change mechanism which connects to a small bracket attached to one of the rocker cover studs/nut. There should be another spring nearer to the gearbox end which attaches to the gearshift lever and a metal bar which is bolted at one end to the front subframe and at the other end to the crossmember mentioned above, they are often missing, stretched or broken. All of the latter will affect gear selection and are a common easy to remedy issue with R4's. If you find any of the above to be faulty, I have some new old stock ones spare. My email address is: christianebeyer@yahoo.co.uk