QMy Range Rover Classic has the early LT95 manual gearbox and the gear lever is rattling annoyingly when the car is accelerating or decelerating. I’m guessing it can be much work to fix this but, before I dive in, can you tell me what to expect and what to replace, or does something just need tightening? I Redshaw
AThe rattling is probably caused by deterioration of the rubberside gasket below the plate that holds the gear lever into its housing. It’s easy to replace this after first removing the transmission tunnel coverings to get access. This is peculiar to the LT95 combined gearbox and transfer case which was fitted to Range Rover up to 1985, and also to the Series III Stage 1 V8, early four-speed Ninety and One Ten V8s, and the 101 Forward Control.
Release the three bolts holding the retaining plate to the housing (a 13mm AF spanner is a more snug fit than the AF equivalent on these). 2
The old gasket may break up. Scrape it off, working away from the aperture to avoid bits falling in, and clean up the face. 4
Remove the gear lever knob and lift the transmission cover carpet away, then release and lift the gear lever’s rubber gaitor. 1
The gear lever can now be lifted out, taking care to ensure that no dirt or pieces of the old gasket can enter the gearbox casing. 3
When the lever is fitted, make sure that the groove in the ball aligns with the spigot seen in the housing (at the three-o-clock position here). 6
Position the gasket and retaining plate. Push the three bolts through the gasket to engage the threads, and tighten gradually and evenly. 7
Clean all dirt and grease from the bottom of the lever and the retaining plate. Holding it inverted, stretch a new gasket over the lever ball. 5