Gear Stick on C3 very stiff to engage gears

[mikezener]

Hi My son in-laws C3 2013 saloon is now difficult to engage the gears (gear stick very stiff) Worse when engine is cold and does improve when engine has warmed up. Any ideas would be appreciated please.

Mike

[RichardW]

Is it hard to engage when the engine is not running? Has any work been done involving removing a driveshaft?

[mikezener]

Yes its still very stiff when cold and engine not running(first thing in morning) Theres been no work done re drive shafts. But there has been a cat fitted about 2 months ago by a well known chain and they had mentioned something about the gear box and gear stick.

[quintet]

Have a look at the counter weight on top of the gearbox, they were prone for seizing up on the pivot point/bolt. It doesn't do a whole lot so i used to take it off & do away with it although i felt doing that does give a slightly wayward/looser feel to the gear change.

opinion may be divided on doing away with it but once these start playing up they certainly effect the gear change.

[mikezener]

Thanks for the info, Found the counter weight and applied some lubricant to joints. Problem now solved

[livewire101]

same issue here.
where do you find the counter weight to lubricate it?

[wheeler]

Should look something like this

[Huskyxantia]

Regarding No 6 how does the piece come off ? My first gear is stiff ok when warmed up , might try lubricate first. My car differs as it is citroen c3 picasso but i think might be similar

[CitroJim]

Regarding No 6 how does the piece come off ? My first gear is stiff ok when warmed up , might try lubricate first. My car differs as it is citroen c3 picasso but i think might be similar

I'd be interested to know this too as I'd never describe my Picasso as having a particularly slick shift...

Highlighted today when I took my AX for a drive

[RichardW]

Doesn't look like that bit is fitted on the C3 Picasso

[Huskyxantia]

Think i will investigate mine.