Chattering gearstick

Hi, new member here with a query.
My 1997 Mk1 Eunos has developed a ‘chattering’ gearstick when accelerating. It does not happen on the overrun and disappears when I grip the gearstick knob. The noise subsides once everything is hot (15+ miles). I suspect that there is a plastic bush at the bottom of the stick which has become brittle and broken up (perhaps during recent cold weather) and this is allowing the lever to rattle.

Can any of the experts out there advise me whether this a serious problem & a solution?

Had the car about 3 months now. Great fun apart from this problem. Bought as a second car but now using it as my daily commute except when I need the luggage space.

Cheers

G’day mate, Welcome to the Forum

The first link takes you to the download section of the forum, look for the one called  “How to replace gear lever boots NA (MK1) & NB”

It’s worth doing the whole job. Para 16 refers to the nylon bush on the bottom of the gearlever, this may be causing your problems. The second link has links to the parts for the seals and another description of the job.

http://www.mx5oc.co.uk/forum/files/folders/how_to_guides/default.aspx

http://www.mx5oc.co.uk/forum/forums/t/201.aspx

Cheers for that Geoff. Doesn’t look too bad a job. I’ll give it a go.

Many thanks

Easy job even I managed it… I’ve also got a constant chattering in my car, fortunatly it goes away when the mrs gets out [;)]

Just a thought but does your eunos have the wooden Nardi gearknob?

Thats what was vibrating on mine. Pulled the wooden part off the threaded centre & re-glued it. Jobs a gooden as they say [Y]

Hi Dave

Yes it is a Nardi gearknob but it feels solid enough. I will double check although I think that Geoff’s diagnosis is probably right.

 Cheers

Mines doing exactly the same at the moment, again Nardi wooden knob.I  am sure the knob is ok and I replaced the nylon bush and  topped up the turret oil when I changed the gearstick boots last year. Easy to do so will check it again when I get a chance.

Going to do the job tomorrow as long as the bits arrive from MX5Parts. Fingers crossed!

Cheers

Mike

I am fairly sure it is the Nardi wooden knob at low temperatures that is vibrating. This morning it was mild and there was no sound , tonite it was a bit colder and the buzzing noise was back. As you say as soon as you touch the knob the noise goes. Well I held the gearstick below the knob to try to isolate it but  it made no difference so the nylon bush I dont think will cure it. Once the heater had warmed the car up the buzzing from the knob went. The knob is tight on the stick so I will have to unscrew it see what else I can do to eliminate it. Sorry it was a bit long winded but hope it helps.

Hi Phil

Replaced the boots & oil today & seems to have cured the vibrating stick for now. Mild here today so can’t verify your theory until the temperature drops again. If it is the knob I can live with that during the cold weather. The bottom boot was torn and the oil was the colour and consistency of a thick pea soup so the job was worth doing anyway. Also replaced the nylon cup which looked OK in fact although discoloured by the heat from the gearbox.  So we wait & see.

Many thanks to all those who provided info & advice from.

Cheers

Mike

Dave & Phil

You were both spot on. The Nardi gearknob is acting like a rattle in the cold weather (why only when it’s cold?). I’ll try to reglue the threaded core with Araldite.

Regards

Mike

Mike ,I have actually narrowed it down to the black ring at the base of the gearknob. I found that if you just touch that  bit the buzz will go. Havn’t actually done anything to try to cure it yet but I imagine a bit of glue or silicone RTV might fix it.