Thanks for the replies guys. I think i might try the weld, line of approach first. Anyone know what type of metal this is? Cast iron /stainless? What type of welding suits it best?
As this seems to not just be a fluke with an individual car, what preventative actions can be taken to stop this occurring in other cars? I imagine if timed badly, it could prove a terrible distraction for a driver and have dangerous consequences. All the best, Andrew.
Sorry about the snapped shift lever but this link is awesome. I've had a few discussions about the design of this linkage and the play-by-play photos are like a hands on anatomy class!
Hi guys. The latest is,i have found 2 breakers that can supply secondhand units. That is the complete shift mechanism. 250 pounds ea. My question is, are they any more reliable than a repaired unit? Think i might pull mine apart and take it to an engineering shop for their advise. There may be a way to repair and strengthen.
Nope. The problem is the poor quality of metal used for the lever, and the shift gate. The lever is chrome plated. As you shift, and as is rubs against the side of the shift gate, the chrome gets worn off. The chrome plating is harder than the metal underneath. So once the chrome is gone the shift gate wears down the softer metal, until one day your lever snaps. I have done both. The first time my shift lever snapped I took it to a neighbors shop and had it welded up. That lasted for a little while. The lever broke again, but not where it was welded, it broke above the weld. So I just bought a used one and put that in. I had been keeping an eye on the sides of the lever, and once I saw the replacement starting to wear, I got another one and put that in. The whole shift setup in our 348's sucks.
The levers are ridiculously slender and the narrow slots in the gate makes any real improvement to the design difficult. The relatively high shifting forces in a 348 make something that should never happen a real possibility.
Seems like it would be simple for a machine shop to pump out relatively inexpensive replacements in 440C or some other stainless. Would be indestructible then. Maybe ask Paul Hill at Hill Engineering. Taz Terry Phillips
Ya know..I have NEVER seen a shifter break in a Honda, Toyota, etc..but of course those are cheap cars to buy and service. But damn..leave it to a **** box company like Ferrari to come up with a shifter that snaps off in your hand..gotta love it. But us stupid owners continue to love and buy the crap they produce...why??
True that! A friend of mind who also races a vette was at my house when I was doing gold connector pins on my 550. He was puzzled then he laughed.
