355 buzzing gear lever

Hi all

I recently replaced the plastic bush that sits at the base of the gear lever in my 355 as i was experiencing the lever buzzing at high rpm's.

Unfortunately the lever still buzzes...not all the time but on occasion....

Anything else I can do to eliminate this?

 

Yep - convert to an F1

 

Never

 

Finally some sanity on this forum.

F1 conversion is the answer.

 

I have this in third gear on deceleration. Forgot all about it until I took it for its first drive of the season.

Another item on the list...

 

Anyone know the fix?

 

Email ernie. There is a similar fix for a 348 gear box.

Conversion to an F1? There is a reason why there is no such kit....

 

I think so. There are 2 parts that usually need to be replaced , the bush you mentioned, part # 154741 called the Ball Containing Bushing and another, the Ball Joint Seat, part # 127446.

I had the same problem with my shift lever. When I replaced both, problem solved. No more vibration.

 

+1. Usually it is a matter of adjustment...but in my case, the dealer ended up replacing a number of parts/bushings after several attempts. I don't know all the part numbers, but I was amazed after the fix, the shifting was very tight...actually took several drives to get smoothed out...but never had rattles or buzzes again. I believe I had this done around the 40k mileage...I sold the car at around 63 or 64k miles and things were still tight and buzz free.


*Just made my 15,000th post!

 

Post whore!

 

It was you buzzing. You naughty boy!

.
Image Unavailable, Please Login

 

Both those parts were replaced..127446 and 154741... Still got the buzzing.

 

Isn't there a flannel fuzzy insulator in there somewhere? I seem to remember a white rectangular patch of something in there.

 

Errr...no don't think so...not on a 355

 

Maybe in that case its a used tube of hair gel...

 

Are you guys getting the buzzing at high RPM (between 7-8K)?

Henry

 

The reason is its F1 owners best kept secret.

McJoe get s best answer of the year award ha ha ha.

 

Mine buzzed like crazy in 2nd, 3rd, and 4th for 5 years after I bought it, then I finally got fed up and had the whole thing disassembled for diagnosis, then re-lubed and reassembled. It was dry as a bone everywhere that grease was supposed to be. No new parts at all upon reassembly, not even a flannel butt-wipe... There was absolutely nothing wrong with any of the little springs and bushings, just a lack of grease and probably some dirt presence. The shifter still feels very positive and is quiet as a mouse for 4 years and 12,000 miles or so. My mechanic said it was a major PITA with all the little bits involved, but not too expensive considering the result.

Hope this helps LotusK. It was worth every penny.

 

Thanks

Good to know

 

Above around 5000 i would say

 

Ok Lotus. Pull it all out. Fun job since you will be removing the bottom aero trays aswell.
You will need to cut a piece of small brass shim to fit around the ball so as to slightly increase the pressure inside the split bush. Its a fiddly job and difficult but it will work.
The buzzing comes from the outer diameter of the bush not being tight after it snaps over the ball. Seen it many times. Have done my own aswell and perfect result. Good luck as i found replacing every single part to make no difference.

 

Andy, can you explain via diagram what you did..?
I as well experience some stick lever buzz.. but at lower rpms.. as with others I just hold it to stop.. also as some others reported.. sometimes if I do a fast shift.. I experience a friction type crunch feeling.. not a grinding sound.. more like a crunch towards the bottom of the stick.. I suspect this and the buzzing is all related..
Image Unavailable, Please Login

 

Andy
Thanks for this fix...

Can you tell me from the diagram which number the "ball" is around which you fitted the brass shim...is it the expensive number 5.......???

 

Yes

Occasionally i cannot get 1st or 2nd gear...the lever will not budge...this when engine is at operating temp....i have to go to neutral and try again and then it's ok...i suspect this and the buzzing are related