Mondial QV Shift Detent force | FerrariChat

Mondial QV Shift Detent force

Discussion in 'Mondial' started by shahrukh_bakar, Jul 23, 2010.

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  1. shahrukh_bakar

    Aug 19, 2004
    18
    N Vancouver, Canada
    Full Name:
    Shahrukh Bakar
    Hi,

    Just drove an '85 Mondial QV Cab today. Great experience, but the force of the shifter just off neutral feels weak. If you move the lever left and right from the neutral position, the force needed seems minimal to go from the R-1 gate to the 4-5 gate back to neutral. If you move the lever left and right from neutral quickly, the force becomes basically zero. Waiting a few seconds in the neutral position brings the force back to the original, minimal amount.

    Its almost as though there are 'centering springs' that are being impeded by hardened grease. Any idea which part needs cleaning and lubrication? A diagram would be awesome. I have searched the forums to no avail. Otherwise, the shifting is great and very solid while engaged in gear, with no pop-outs. The position of the shifter is also correct in neutral and gear.

    Thanks.

    SNB
     
  2. ramosel

    ramosel Formula 3

    Sep 11, 2004
    1,237
    Meadow Vista, CA
    Full Name:
    R Moseley
    I think you've nailed it... The side piston and the whole shifter can get pretty gummed up.

    Not a Mondi, but here are my 308 shifter pics.

    http://www.flickr.com/photos/moseley_ferrari/sets/72157622040395978/

    Rick
     
  3. shahrukh_bakar

    Aug 19, 2004
    18
    N Vancouver, Canada
    Full Name:
    Shahrukh Bakar
    Rick,

    Thanks for the post and the awesome pictures. In the parts diagram and the pictures, regarding that side piston: does it provide force in both R-1 gate direction and the 4-5 gate direction from neutral? Is it spring-loaded? How does one clean and regrease it? Is it accessed from the console side or from the bottom?

    Again, not having much success using the search, but my search terms might be wrong.

    Any links to DIY links on cleaning that piston and mechanism are much appreciated!

    SNB
     
  4. ramosel

    ramosel Formula 3

    Sep 11, 2004
    1,237
    Meadow Vista, CA
    Full Name:
    R Moseley
    If it's working right, it should "home" at the 2/3 neutral position and "load" both in the R/1 and the 4/5 directions.

    Don't know about the Mondi, but on the 308 you remove the center console and the whole shifter comes out with 1 bolt on the rear linkabe and 4 bolts on the body (plus the wires to the backup switch). I've found it easiest to wrap some long wire ties (you could use string) to hold the upper and lower clamshells of the shifter body together then unbolt. Otherwise the spring loading of the shifter handle itself pushes the body halves apart. Once out, just disassemble and clean. Grease and reassemble.

    Rick
     
  5. BigTex

    BigTex Seven Time F1 World Champ
    Owner Rossa Subscribed

    Dec 6, 2002
    79,380
    Houston, Texas
    Full Name:
    Bubba
    I once spilled a drink (orange juice and vodka, IIRC) into my shifter and it stiffened up as you described..

    I poured some Royal Purple 20 - 50W into the shifter gate (as that's what I use in the engine) and worked it thru all the gears manually and it freed it up again...

    I didn't have to even take the shift plate off....

    Lots easier than removing the shifter from the car!!!
     
  6. shahrukh_bakar

    Aug 19, 2004
    18
    N Vancouver, Canada
    Full Name:
    Shahrukh Bakar
    That's an interesting situation and fix, but this is probably more a chronic buildup of dirt and old grease that could use a full cleaning and regreasing. Some more questions:

    1) Am I correct in thinking that the spring provides load by compression in one direction and tension in the other?
    2) There is only 1 spring, correct?
    3) Also, is there a positive joint between the shift lever and spring, or is it located just by the spring's force?

    Thanks!

    SNB
     
  7. maestro8

    maestro8 Formula 3
    BANNED

    Dec 2, 2009
    2,054
    Nor Cal
    Full Name:
    Jason
    I'd like to try that before taking everything apart...

    Can I use orange juice and rum instead?
     
  8. ramosel

    ramosel Formula 3

    Sep 11, 2004
    1,237
    Meadow Vista, CA
    Full Name:
    R Moseley
    #8 ramosel, Jul 23, 2010
    Last edited by a moderator: Sep 7, 2017
    No, yes, no... look at my pics. (link above)

    There is one spring. It applies pressure to a small piston cup. The face of this piston cup engages a flat on one side of the shifter ball. This also orients the shifter, rotationally.

    When you move the shifter to the left, the bottom of the flat pushes against the piston. When you move it right, the top of the flat pushes on the piston. BTW, in the picture below, that is not the detent spring. That is the up/down spring for keeping the ball in the socket and for reverse lockout defeat.

    Rick
    Image Unavailable, Please Login
     
  9. ramosel

    ramosel Formula 3

    Sep 11, 2004
    1,237
    Meadow Vista, CA
    Full Name:
    R Moseley
    Wait... a Texan, spilling booze??? you're a transplant, right???
    <grin>


    Rick
     
  10. BigTex

    BigTex Seven Time F1 World Champ
    Owner Rossa Subscribed

    Dec 6, 2002
    79,380
    Houston, Texas
    Full Name:
    Bubba
    #10 BigTex, Jul 23, 2010
    Last edited by a moderator: Sep 7, 2017
  11. shahrukh_bakar

    Aug 19, 2004
    18
    N Vancouver, Canada
    Full Name:
    Shahrukh Bakar
    That makes perfect sense, and also jives with the fact that there is some variable rotational play in the shift lever. I can now visualize the mechanism in my head.

    Thanks!

    SNB
     

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