71Rover Series 2A gear shifter swivels?

[ryancr500]

I am working on a 71 Series 2A Rover. Tried putting it in gear for the first time... gear shifter seems to swivel, making it hard to push it straight forward or backwards. Does anyone know why it would do this?? I haven't tried taking it apart yet.
Ryan

[red90]

On the gear lever's ball, there is a slot. A screw engages this slot to prevent it from turning. Have a look to see if the screw is engaged into the slot. Also look to make sure everything else is in there properly and not worn out.

If you don't have a workshop manual, you should pick one up or download it. Everything is covered fairly well.

[Rambler]

I agree with red90

The bottom of the gear stick has a round ball type of end with a small rubber o ring. Often the ball wears away (the original ones were steel, the latter types plastic I believe). This might be the case. The solution is to source a good used gear stick or to weld a round blob on the bottom and then reshape this with an angle grinder to the right profile. Here are some photos.

[ryancr500]

i think my shifter mechanism is missing the plastic/rubber ring at the bottom of the shaft. I haven't investigated too far but It looks like the screw isn't engaged