Loose feeling Gearstick
 

Anyone got any info regarding whether there are any springs on the gearstick assembly? Stick still seems spring loaded on the fifth/reverse side but when it is in neutral it used to have the same spring loaded effect, overnight it seems to have went loose and can be wobbled from side to side with no return
"effect". Is it possible that a spring could have broken? Cars got loads of miles on it, but it has not gradually got worse, seems more like a failure of some sort.

Any info appreciated

Dougie

There are no springs on the linkage (i.e. the bit between the stick and the box), the return and detent assembly is bolted into the side of the transfer casing on the gearbox itself.

It certainly is possible that the one of the return springs could have snapped, or another part of the check assembly could have broken or jammed. Unfortunately though, finding out for sure is not a five minute job.

Before you could get at the check assembly, you'd need to take the transfer case off the back of the gearbox, which can be done with the 'box still on the engine, but it's better (and infinitely more comfortable) with it off the car and on the bench.

Thanks Greasemonkey, holy fook! thought I would be taking the gaitor off and replacing the spring inside the car :D Think I will leave it as is, sounds too much like hard work, and in my case the potential to go pear shaped!

Dougie

My advice would be to get it sorted, and sooner rather than later Dougie. While it might be fine left as it is, there's a risk that leaving it be could cause greater damage further down the line.

The check assembly not only contains the springs that centre the gearstick, it also contains the detent that stops you accidentally going straight from fifth to reverse. If that also breaks or sticks, and you start accidentally grabbing reverse instead of fourth when downshifting in a hurry, your 'box really won't like you.

IIWY I'd have the car looked at by a Subaru dealer or good specialist. It's always possible that there's another explanation (for example a loose bit of tree branch or other detritis caught up in the linkage). Either way, it's better to know, and pay whatever it costs to have it fixed, than risk a bigger bill down the line.

If you're lucky, you might be able to combine it with getting other jobs done - for example if your clutch is nearing replacement, this would be the perfect time. Once the gearbox is off the car, disassembly, examining, fixing the check mechanism and reassembling shouldn't add more than an hour and a half to the overall labour bill.

The return springs (if that's what's bust) sell for less than a pound a pair IIRC. Add in some liquid gasket to seal the box back up, and the parts bill should be less than £3!