RE: Gearbox problems on a 1988 90Q

[Bob Davis <bob@segNET.COM>]

Steven P. Adams writes:
>Ian, 
>I had a similar problem on my '88 90Q.  My conditions deteriorated over
>about a month and a half.  Fifth and reverse gears totally went and
>first and second gears were difficult to use.  I took it to my mechanic
>and he tightened the linkage-along with replacing some nuts and bolts. 

This particular phenomenon seems to be related to a habit that I am
currently trying to break (no, not smoking, but I'm working on that too).

Seems that if you (as I have done for years) rest your hand on the shifter
while you drive, it puts a lot of stress on the shift linkage and on the
gears in the tranny.  This can lead to gears that are hard to engage, and
the tranny sometimes "popping" out of gear.  Not to mention causing
pre-mature failure of the bushings in the shift linkage (BTDT).
Higher gears seem to have problems first (highway cruising, listening to a
little Bach, one hand on the wheel, the other resting comfortably on the
shift knob).

The solution is harder than it sounds -- keep your right hand off your
knob. (go at it Bob D.)

Bob Davis		SEG Network Technologies, Inc.
bob@segNET.com	Suite 206/208, The Nugget Building
V: 603.643.5883	Hanover, NH 03755 USA
F: 603.643.9854	http://www.segNET.com