1996 313kmile Xantia 1.9TD lost pops popping out of 5th fifth gear

[romie]

Hi, been hunting around without luck with others with this issue.

Going into work along the motorway I notice the gear stick doesn't look fully into 5th gear (too far back), but I'm unable to get it to stay further forward.

On going up a steep long hill on the motorway the gear stick pops out in to neutral.

I try to put it back into 5th but as soon as I put any engine load on it, it pops out again.

Trying to hold it in 5th and accelerate, only results in the gear stick being 'mechanically forced out', (more than I want to push back with my hand.

All other gears are fine.

I've had a look at the gear stick's linkages and they all seemed attached.

I was hoping that this is a common issue with this mileage Xantia and that someone might be able to point me in the right direction? :/

Thanks for ideas!



I've included some exploded diagrams of my cars gear box to refer to below, hopefully this is helpful.

[CitroJim]

First thing to check is the linkages (11 and the two 12s in the first diagram). Often you'll find the rubber mounting the ball cup sits in has deteriorated and split and allows excessive movement... A common issue. new linkages are not expensive.

Next. Look at the ball on the end of item 14 in the first diagram and see that it fits into a tube-like orifice on a bracket that's attached to the front subframe with a small bolt...

Often this bolt works loose and allow the bracket to drift and float around...

If it's not that or one or other of the linkages, we'll have another think

[RichardW]

I expect the nut's come loose on the end of the shaft under the housing on the end of the box, allowing the 5th gear unit to slide up and down. If you are lucky you can take the end cover off in situ and just tighten the nut back up - if you are unlucky the gear will be mashed and you will need to replace it - should still be dooable in situ.

[Gibbo2286]

If it's not the linkage a fairly common problem is the big nut on the end of the fifth gear shaft comes loose, often can be retightened without doing too much damage if caught soon enough.

You knew I was typing that Richard.

[CitroJim]

Yes, I can confirm both can be done in-situ Richard...

Not difficult either...

My BE3 disassembly guide may help...

Note the need of a special tool (easy to make) when removing the 5th gear selector fork. Without it you'll have a pingfuckit issue with the detent ball!

[romie]

Fantastic
Thanks guys.
As they're not expensive, I'll get to ordering replacement linkages now so I can hit the ground running while in the engine bay!

[romie]

I expect the nut's come loose on the end of the shaft under the housing on the end of the box, allowing the 5th gear unit to slide up and down. If you are lucky you can take the end cover off in situ and just tighten the nut back up - if you are unlucky the gear will be mashed and you will need to replace it - should still be dooable in situ.

Thanks Richard

So the nut labelled item 10 in the third diagram (First Line Manual Gear box) or 12 in the fourth diagram (Second Line Manual Gear box), yup?

[romie]

Yes, I can confirm both can be done in-situ Richard...

Not difficult either...

My BE3 disassembly guide may help...

Note the need of a special tool (easy to make) when removing the 5th gear selector fork. Without it you'll have a pingfuckit issue with the detent ball!

Crikey, that's a comprehensive guide there
Great work! And might save a loooooooot of time!

[romie]

First thing to check is the linkages (11 and the two 12s in the first diagram). Often you'll find the rubber mounting the ball cup sits in has deteriorated and split and allows excessive movement... A common issue. new linkages are not expensive.

Next. Look at the ball on the end of item 14 in the first diagram and see that it fits into a tube-like orifice on a bracket that's attached to the front subframe with a small bolt...

Often this bolt works loose and allow the bracket to drift and float around...

If it's not that or one or other of the linkages, we'll have another think

Just looking at item 14 in first diag.
I see the tube-like orifice that it fits into (item 2).
I can't see the bracket from this diagram, but will hunt for it in the engine bay.
Thanks for initial pointers! I'll get on the case after I get back from work (phew for summer evening light)

(This might take a while as I'm also trying to put her though an MOT right now )

[romie]

oh my word, not expensive ~ hmmm

1 x 245274 gearshift link long 245 from Citroen £27.91 + Vat each
2 x 2454F7 selection link from Citroen £18.65 + Vat each
Total = £78.252 !!

eep ~ ebay next..

oh, don't suppose these are on GSF, ECP, CP4Less? :/

[RichardW]

It's item 10 I believe that comes undone. Since it comes out when you load it, and the other gears are fine, I'm pretty sure this will be your problem. I thought there was a recent ish thread where someone else had this trouble, and there was a pic of a broken gear wheel - but the one I thought it was turned out to be a worn selector fork: http://www.frenchcarforum.co.uk/forum/v ... 9&start=45

[romie]

It's item 10 I believe that comes undone. Since it comes out when you load it, and the other gears are fine, I'm pretty sure this will be your problem. I thought there was a recent ish thread where someone else had this trouble, and there was a pic of a broken gear wheel - but the one I thought it was turned out to be a worn selector fork: http://www.frenchcarforum.co.uk/forum/v ... 9&start=45

ah, cheers Richard

It's only just happened, when trying to keep the gear lever in 5th there was a single slight grind, nothing major. And I just used 4th from then. So I'm hoping the gear is fine.

I'll take a look.

Just a normal socket, stick it in 1st and do the nut back up again with Loctite at specific torque (or T.A.F), eh?

[c.morewood]

If all that doesn't work Romie, try the gearbox engine mount. I've just replaced mine after having difficulty going into some gears.. after I'd tried all the usual suspects, water in the gbox oil, wrong gbox oil level. I replaced the mount, even though it didn't look that bad, and hey presto .. no problems with the gears.

[romie]

If all that doesn't work Romie, try the gearbox engine mount. I've just replaced mine after having difficulty going into some gears.. after I'd tried all the usual suspects, water in the gbox oil, wrong gbox oil level. I replaced the mount, even though it didn't look that bad, and hey presto .. no problems with the gears.

cool, adding to the list of checks.

Interesting how many things this could be. Gonna be busy :/

[c.morewood]

mine is at 304k just replaced the gbox mount for the first time.