Difficulty/resistance shifting to the 5th and Reverse

[Mugello]

Another issue.... our Mini Cooper with 5 speed (2002) so presumably the Midland gearbox has developed some resistance when shifting to the 5th and Reverse as if there is a rubberised cushion preventing smooth movement of the gear lever into the right hand side slots. Do you guys know what the problem is? I'm starting to miss the CRX I had for 14years.....

[Mugello]

Quote: Originally Posted by Mugello (original)

Another issue.... our Mini Cooper with 5 speed (2002) so presumably the Midland gearbox has developed some resistance when shifting to the 5th and Reverse as if there is a rubberised cushion preventing smooth movement of the gear lever into the right hand side slots. Do you guys know what the problem is? I'm starting to miss the CRX I had for 14years.....

Doesn't anyone know

[dsakko]

Dude doesn't sound cool But before spending $$$ on the box you may want to check out the cables.

There are 2 cables - one that does forward / back, and one that does side to side... if the cable has problems or the end has partly slipped off the end of the gearstick it might cause this. They were about $250 ea last time I had to replace them.

Haven't heard of this as a characteristic. Only 3 I've heard of are:
- crunchy 2nd gear synchro
- slipping diff crown wheel
- bearing failure (total grenade and you end up with an externally lubricated work of art / paperweight).

[Mugello]

Quote: Originally Posted by dsakko (original)

Dude doesn't sound cool But before spending $$$ on the box you may want to check out the cables.

There are 2 cables - one that does forward / back, and one that does side to side... if the cable has problems or the end has partly slipped off the end of the gearstick it might cause this. They were about $250 ea last time I had to replace them.

Thanks for the reply. Do you know how I could check the cables?

[dsakko]

You can check one end which is connected to the top of the gearbox under the air cleaner. The other end you'd need to go under the car and open up the underside of where the gearstick is.

Not sure what could be causing it, so I can't guide you on what you're looking for.

[Mugello]

Thanks for your reply. I took it to a garage and the mechanic seems to think it is the cable also. He said he "freed it up" but he did not feel that the shift feels 100% although better. If one was to change cable(s), is there a DIY guide on this and if so is it easy enough?

[dsakko]

http://www.bmw-planet.com/lib/mini/GEAR%20SHIFT.pdf

A lucky find I've lost my Bentley R53 manual somewhere so don't have access to anything else.

[Mugello]

Thanks, our MIni is R51 - is it any different?

[dsakko]

Only in parts. The procedure should be the same.