Reply to "Shift Linkage UJs Hitting Chassis"

Thank you to everyone for their comments ... clearly my problem is "exceptional"!

Just for clarification, the problem is the rear half of the UJ just to the rear of the shift shaft rod support hits the chassis member which supports the rear wheel upper wishbone. Sorry I can't post a photograph but I am away from the car till next Tuesday.

Anyway .... I have found a supply of some very neat UJ's which are only 41mm diameter and have recessed pinch bolts. I am hoping that as these are considerably smaller in diameter than the existing UJ's and are perfectly cylindrical one of these will clear the chassis member and solve the problem.

What still puzzles me is that the linkage must have worked previously as I have spoken to the first owner (who made all the mods) and, listening to what he said and seeing the quality of everything else he did, I can't believe he would have left the car only able to use half the gears!

Maybe as JAG13CAT says, it is a question of fine adjustments.

The learning point for me in all of this is: don't buy a car that comes in 101 boxes of bits - at least buy one that's in one piece to begin with!

I'll post the outcome of my trials in due course.