Hi, As part of my journey of exploration following the removal of the centre console on my 308 GT4 I have the gear selector on my bench for disassembly, clean up and replacement of the springs, silent bloc connector and selector bush. When I split the selector housing and lifted the lower bowl onto the bench it was full of gunk. My question is whether this was once EP90 or something similar and whether the lower bowl is designed to maintain a bath of lubricant. My original handbook contains a Plan of Lubrication which looks fairly comprehensive but does not include topping up the gear selector bath. I assume therefore this area should simply be greased but would welcome any comments to the contrary. Thanks in advance. Graham
Just greased from the factory, probably white grease, I recall there is some plastic bit in there. Over the years people grease or squirt oil down the hatch. Probably does not hurt things to have some excess oil sit in the "sump", but it probably also includes dust and debris build up that is going to happen with an open gate shifter.
I lubed mine liberally with Molykote 33 Medium after posting a similar question on FChat. It's a good product and compatible with the plastic cup part.
This assembly in no way is designed to operate in a bath of lubricant. Take everything apart, give it a good cleaning, and grease all of the contact points when putting it all back together.
Great - thanks everyone. Look forward to getting this greased and back together with the new components. A nice and satisfying job.
Here are a few pics in case they are off interest; - disassembled gear selector awaiting fitting of new springs and bushes - removing the old gear selector bush and refitting the new was much easier with the help of some cable ties - finished article ready for installation Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login
Any assembly lube of grease will help it upon install. Mine became very stiff, as it will gather spilled drinks, so I poured a tablespoon of 20-50W in there to free things up. Works like a champ now...
I am curious if there was wear on the aluminum casing where the shaft moves. Is there a some sort of bushing or is it steel shaft on aluminum?
The main bearing surface is indeed steel on aluminium but there was no obvious wear. More surprising is the bottom bush, where the base of the vertical gear stick engages the horizontal selector shaft, is plastic sitting in a steel cup. This also looked fine after 80,000 miles however I replaced this bush as a precaution. Overall it is a very satisfying mechanism. It will be interesting to see what difference it makes to the gear change once it is back on board.
I just use a very(!!) light coating of white grease at the selector (inside the gate). Doesn't need to be goopy and slathered.
I have a thread on my rebuild from a few years back. No bath. Red grease except plastic on metal bushing that I used the white stuff. Silky buttery smooth ever since.
Is it possible to lubricate the gear selector in a 328 without taking it apart? Sent from my iPhone using FerrariChat.com mobile app
