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MG MGB Technical - Shifter Still Rattles

I had the rattling shifter problem on my 72 roadster. Last week I FINALLY got the plastic bushing that I've read is the cause. Its been installed but my shifter stills rattles at higher speeds, perhaps even more so. Any other ideas?
william fox

William-
Assuming the pressure spring is in place where the ball fits into the housing and the correct screws are holding down the housing plate, do this:
Drill into the shift knob with a 1/2" bit.
Take it to a windshield shop and have them fill the hole with windshield urethane.
After the urethane cures, drill a hole in the center of the urethane with a 1/4" or 3/8" bit making sure the bit drills straight in. Don't drill thru the medallion of course.
Screw the knob onto the gearshift (you won't need a locknut, it's a snug fit). If the medallion pops off glue it back down with a good contact cement.
The urethane will dampen the vibration.
I did this on my GT and it worked like a charm. Worth the effort guaranteed.

Sam
Sam Sullivan

Just a thought - first remove the shift knob and drive the car a bit. Might as well make sure that's the problem.

I had a rattle in my shifter. The medallion in my wooden shift knob had worked loose of its glue. I figured it out when the medallion fell out onto the console after a spirited run through third gear. I just glued the medallion back into the knob with some weatherstrip glue.
Matt Kulka

Had same problem. Found out the 3 bolts holding the selector in box are supposed to have some sort of compression washers on them. Also, and I cannot for the life of me explain this, with the original plastic shifter there is no noise. With a new wooden shifter there is no noise, but the wooden aftermarket shifters always seem to rattle after about a year or so. If I had a good belt sander I would try to smooth the aluminum on the knob and the top of the bolt on the selector to see if that helps. I just put the original back on there and forgot about it, but the knob for the 73' B (pear shaped) is as rare as hens teeth. Have not seen a new one for sale anywhere.
J Arthurs

Having same problem which is slowly driving me insane.

gear lever without gear knob = no rattle

Aftermarket wooden gearknob (fitted when car bought) or new leather gear knob = problem

The prblem lies so i have discovered through the MGOC website is the plastic inside teh gearknob that makes a thread when first screwed onto the knob isnt tight enough - ewspecially after so many 1000's of mile (hence after about a year the rattle returns) so a mini amount of movement = slight rattle which gets worse.

Best thing to do might be to find an original gear knob or a heavier than normal one - alloy perhaps or one with a metal pre-drilled thread. I tried a new gear knob made of leater with plastic insert, although i admit i did stuff it up when first attaching it as it went on wonky as i wasnt concentrating, but the rattle soon returned.

Sams idea is effectively replacing the plastic thread, which would work (might try that actually) but i would imagine that the rattle will prob come back as the wear continues.

~PHIL
Phil Earl

You might want to try some teflon tape. Wrap it around the shifter threads and then screw it on. It should get rid of the small wear, or at least dampen it.
J Arthurs

ditto to the above....now it just rattles in third gear....for now the solution is to shift into fourth and od

rn
RN Lipow

I had this problem of vibration in the shifter at 65 mph and found the previous owner had replaced one of the three sping washers with a lock washer. Replaced all three spring washers for a total of $1.05 and the problem was solved.
Joe D

I suspect the spring and plunger that is supposed to ride against the ball of the shifter is missing. I'll check tomorrow to confirm.
willia m fox

William
"I suspect the spring and plunger that is supposed to ride against the ball of the shifter is missing. I'll check tomorrow to confirm."

If it is missing and you make the repair - please share your method. I missed these during installation and have been unsuccessful in installing them with the transmission installed.
Brian McKie

Brian: I just had time to look underneath. I can see the bolt that holds the assembly in. It looks like I can disconnect the drive shaft at the tranny and slide it back to get enough clearance to reach the bolt. No time today so perhaps tomorrow for more
william fox

William,
It's easier to remove the gear shifter and pry it out form the inside. I think the plunger is supposed to be metal? I think mine is brass. It should slide freely and taking it out from the bottom of the car is a headache. I'd at least have a go at trying to pry it out from the top. Just my 2 cents....

John

Also, I just removed the wooden gearshift knob from my B. It's an aftermarket job with aluminum threads, ect. , and when I unscrewed it there were aluminum splinters that fell off. This explains to me why it started to rattle, losing threads. I just put the original back on. I was hoping to store it because I have never seen one for sale new or used. It's the pear shape correct for a 73B. If anyone knows where to get one please let me know.
J Arthurs

J Arthurs- I was referring to removing the lever dampening plunger that rests against the ball of the shifter and keeps it from vibrating.
william f ox

William,
So am I. If you remove the shifter you can get to the plunger from the interior of the car.
J Arthurs

How did you fit the bushing and did you detect less free play in gear afterwards? First time round I put the bushing in the gearbox end and replaced the lever, only to find it had pushed the bushing out. 2nd time round I fitted the bushing to the lever but then had to chamfer the edge before I could get the lever seated.
Paul Hunt

Last time I did that job I finally enlisted a helper who held a very large screw driver from below to keep the bushing in the control rod while I pused the lever
down from above.
BTW I still have the stock round knob on my 69B. No rattles, has the correct period look, and fits into the palm nicely.
Andrew Blackley

I get it now. I thought aboutthat but wasntsure hw to keep the brass plunger in place while refitting the shifter. I triedthe plastic bush both ways, first on the shifter itself, which caused it to be forced over the ball. Then in the gearbox which I think is still there after I put the shifter in.
william fox

To keep the plunger in place I used some duct tape (or was it packing tape - it was 3 years ago) wrapped around the plunger and through the big hole of the gearbox extension, with the plunger compressed against the spring. When the lever was in place this was pulled out.
Andrew Blackley

Success! As suspected the dampening plunger and spring were missing. Scavenged them off a parts car and instaled. No rattles, no vibration. Thanks all!
william fox

This thread was discussed between 08/07/2002 and 13/07/2002

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