Hi,

I'm looking at a Felicia 1.3LXi as my first car. Had my dad test it out as he's been driving as long as I've been alive (first car at 33 - not bad)

Apart from minor cosmetic work, the only area of concern was the gear change. My dad reported the gate entry as very loose. Now, knowing nothing about this myself, we tried an extensive google session, and nothing.

Is this a symptom of a much deeper (and expensive) problem? Or is it ok? The gear change was smooth, no whining, clunking or dropping out of gear on a test drive.

Hopefully this is an easy fix - would like an opinion as if it's not a major expense, we'll snap it up! If it is a problem, please be honest. I have very limited understanding (even as a bloke and motorsports fan)....

Thanks

Hi and welcome to Briskoda.

Loose gearstick is quite common. The problem is in the linkage - the connecting parts between the gearstick and the selector shaft which enters the gearbox. I think side-to-side play is most common. The parts to overhaul the linkage are available individually and it shouldn't cost too much to sort out.

Mine has been like this for ages and plan to sort it out soon, but other than it being loose and touching people's knees there's been no other problem in 2 years.

Edited 7 April, 200917 yr by anewman

Awesome - thanks for the reply. Is this a major project or could I tackle it with the help of a Haynes manual?

Awesome - thanks for the reply. Is this a major project or could I tackle it with the help of a Haynes manual?

Haynes manual describes how to remove the linkage - but gives little detail on how to take it apart and overhaul it once removed. Presumably because different linkages were used on the Felicia.

aye, my own is the same...

Works fine, but you could be stirring soup with it its so loose LOL

Would like to it fixed too... Just to have it 100%

Cant be much involved...

Came across this while browsing. I didn't put it there (no doubt breaches copyright). Orbitfiles - Download "Haynes - Skoda Favorit - Gearchange linkage.jpg" - Free Online storage, Free File Back up, Free File sharing

Early felicias had the same linkage as the Favorit but I think a 97 model will have the revised linkage. It will be pretty similar though.

2.4 2.6 and 2.7 show the link at the bottom of the stick. on later models this is housed in a rubber molding that is wired shut. with a little care the wire fixing can be removed and the joint re-packed with grease

Mine's reasonably loose also, with about an inch of play either way in neutral

It's okay though - you just use it to your advantage and grope your (preferably female and attractive) passengers leg every time you shift to / from first or second