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MG MGA - gearbox again

Hi all,
I have another gearbox question.
What is the purpose of the little ball that sits in the hole where the end of the gearlever fits in?
Does anyone knows the diameter of that ball?

Thanks,
Herman
H. Jorens

There is spring behind the ball too. It's to keep the lever from rattling and driving you crazy. Sorry I don't know what size it is.
Ed Bell

Ed is spot on re the little ball, as he said it serves the purpose of stopping the gear lever from rattling. As for the diameter of the ball, just find one with its circumference just a little larger than the end hole it fits in, enough to stop it going right through. Don't forget to put in a small spring about an inch or so long, and with the thickness of the hole it goes into. The spring goes in after the ball and is secured by a split pin.

Frank
F Camilleri

It is a 1/4-inch ball with a few thou extra clearance in the hole. A 1/4-inch drill bit slips right through. Ditto 1/4-inch nominal OD spring.

I have a few of these where the hardened ball has worn a groove in the spherical end of the shift lever (high mileage parts like other things on my car). Some years ago I made a few brass slugs cut from 1/4-inch diameter brass rod to use in place of the steel ball. Those brass buttons will last longer than a layshaft or 2nd gear synchro ring, easier to handle than the ball, and less likely to get dropped and lost. Just one more little convenience come from decades of fiddling with the parts.
Barney Gaylord

This thread was discussed on 15/12/2010

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