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MG MGA - Gearbox front lever, worn or original?

I am in the midst of my gearbox overhaul.

When I took a closer look at the bottom of the gearshift lever I noticed a notch in the end piece where the springloaded ball (149) presses against the lever (see picture).
I was wondering whether this notch was formed by years of use or whether the notch is supposed to be there?

Thank you in advance for your input.

Kind regards,
Hansueli


Hansueli Ryser

That slot should match a plunger and spring tucked into the end of the curved lever that the lever sits into. I have a spare gear lever that I can photograph if required ( it has a welded repair half way up the stick so not much use as an alternative) and two gearboxes awaiting rebuilds, so if you need photos tomorrow, drop me a note directly and I can send....
dominic clancy

Gruezi Dominic

Nice hearing from you. I think you answered my question. That notch is meant to be where the spring loaded ball is running in.

No need for pictures, but thanks anyway.

Liebi Gruess id Schwyz,
Hansueli
Hansueli Ryser

Dominic

I posted the same threat on the US forum as well and Barney just replied saying this notch is a "wear mark". Could it be that this notch was added in later MGA models?

Am a little lost now....
Hansueli Ryser

It won't hurt anything. It's just where the anti-rattle ball presses against. You could weld and grind it back to original, or just leave as it is. If the stick begins to rattle, just put a shim behind the spring as a quick fix.
Steve Simmons

When the notch gets that deep the ball falls out, and you get rattle. You could weld it up and grind it smooth. You could rotate the shift lever 180 degrees to use the clean side against the anti=rattle ball and spring.

For myself, I commonly install a short piece of brass rod with flat ends in place of the small ball bearing. The spring then pushed a flat end of the brass rod against the shift lever, and it may last a very long time without wearing out. It is also a lot less likely to fall out than the small round ball.
Barney Gaylord

This thread was discussed between 03/05/2016 and 05/05/2016

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