Suzuki Club UK

I have a LWB SJ with a 1.6 Vitara engine. The gear lever is very floppy - about 6" or more play - and it doesn't feel like it is slotting into a particular gear. I have to sort-of guess the place to push it. The 'bit' with the two bolts which can be seen when the covers are taken off has been replaced.

I've looked up the parts and mechanism at the bottom of the lever but I'm reluctant to disturb anything in case it won't all go back. Could be the spring?? .... if it has one. I'm just not sure ....

It also won't go into across to go into reverse sometimes ..... have to go to neutral, waggle it about a few times and even then have to slap it across to pull it back into reverse. Needs gear-oil??

It's got about 9000 miles on it since it was put together so I'd hoped it was all functioning properly.

I'm concerned something will give out eventually when I'm far from home! I have read some diagnoses of this kind of thing but I'm not sure exactly what's going on. I'd be very grateful for thoughts!

Sounds like the locating bolt for the lever has snapped.

Its about £3 from suzuki and a 20min job.

When you take the rubber boot off there is a disc held on with 3 10mm bolts to secure the lever. Just behind that there is a bolt screwed into the housing horizontally it's a common thing for that to snap.

You have to very carefully remove the lever and pull the snapped bit out ensuring it doesn't drop into the gear box. Then just screw the new bolt in and refit the lever.

Right thanks very much ..... will have a go. Does 'Vitara' mean any Vitara or are there variants when getting parts? Do I need to trace a number or something for this gearbox/lever??

Use the number plate when you go to the motor factors. They should be able to trace the part with that.

It'll be a a SJ 1.3 gear box. Use the SJ reg and chassis number.

Ah, thanks. Yes, I was wondering if the gearbox went with the vehicle or the engine. I read, maybe here, that Vitara engine and SJ gears can be made to fit (or there's an adaptor?)

Still learning about these things!