Technical Service Bulletin for Shift Linkage?

[TTP]

Can someone PM me or post the technical service bulletin for the shift linkage. I read in another thread it addresses the issue of going 3 to 2. I'm getting some grinding as I heal/toe from higher RPMs down from 3 to 2. I want to read and try this fix before I determine it's a synchro issue.

[lucksta]

I checked the Lotus USA website last evening and nothing has been posted yet in this connection.

[Bruce]

This one?

[TTP]

Thanks Bruce! I think that's the one. My reverse lockout does stick a little. I hope this helps my 3 to 2 shifting.

[Rugbyduck]

Wish I could figure out what the deal is with my '06 and why it "grinds" a bit from 2nd to 3rd when it's not warm for awhile! Drove a new Exige and the same thing. Dealer said." " Had the fluid replaced and still the "grind".

[mlk_f1]

I had grinding problem shifting from 3rd to 2nd only when the car is warm. Took it to the Dealer six months ago, they replaced the whole tranny and said it was the Synchro.

I really doubt it was the tranny causing the grinding. Because right after the New Tranny was installed, same problem persisted. Then the Dealer adjusted the shift linkage in the cabin, the problem went away.

So, before your dealer decide to change your tranny, have them try to adjust your linkage first.

[TTP]

Originally Posted by mlk_f1

I had grinding problem shifting from 3rd to 2nd only when the car is warm. Took it to the Dealer six months ago, they replaced the whole tranny and said it was the Synchro.

I really doubt it was the tranny causing the grinding. Because right after the New Tranny was installed, same problem persisted. Then the Dealer adjusted the shift linkage in the cabin, the problem went away.

So, before your dealer decide to change your tranny, have them try to adjust your linkage first.

Do you know if your dealer addressed the issue by adjusting the shift linkage, cross gate linkage, or performed the fix detailed in this service bulletin?

[mlk_f1]

I'm not sure if they adusted the shift linkage, cross gate linkage, or performed the fix detailed in this service bulletin. They adjusted the linkage inside the Center Console between the seats. That is after they replaced a new transmission though.

[andykeck]

Originally Posted by TTP

Do you know if your dealer addressed the issue by adjusting the shift linkage, cross gate linkage, or performed the fix detailed in this service bulletin?

I would guess that this TSB had little to do with it. I think you'd know if you had the lift tube problem as you'd be able to move the lever way too far to the left to hit second at all.

[TTP]

Originally Posted by andykeck

I would guess that this TSB had little to do with it. I think you'd know if you had the lift tube problem as you'd be able to move the lever way too far to the left to hit second at all.

Frankly I'm not sure what the issue is. My lift tube doesn't get stuck but the little reverse lockout collar does get stuck sometimes. I just have to make sure it's all the way down. I'm hoping that all I need as an adjustment of the cables.

[char]

The linkage gets substnatially better as it breaks in and always seems to work better after it warms up.

I think I've aquired a better feel for our spring loaded shifter over time, too, which also helps.

[TTP]

Originally Posted by char

The linkage gets substnatially better as it breaks in and always seems to work better after it warms up.

I think I've aquired a better feel for our spring loaded shifter over time, too, which also helps.

Not mine. I have about 15K miles on these set of cables (since the shifter recall) replacement. My shifting seems to have gone downhill since they did that replacement.

[Icedog_16]

I think I may have this same problem with the synchro. Only the 3-2 downshift is affected. Sometimes it does it, sometimes not. But it seems as though it is becoming more frequent. Even going only 40 mph when downshifting grinds whether I heel-toe or not, despite the clutch being fully depressed. I don't know how many others this has affected, but I can think of about 5 off the top of my head - all 3-2 problems. Looks like I may be off to the dealer. Any suggestions before I go?

[Bruce]

Originally Posted by Icedog_16

I think I may have this same problem with the synchro. Only the 3-2 downshift is affected.

How many miles and what gear oil are you using?

[TTP]

Originally Posted by Icedog_16

I think I may have this same problem with the synchro. Only the 3-2 downshift is affected. Sometimes it does it, sometimes not. But it seems as though it is becoming more frequent. Even going only 40 mph when downshifting grinds whether I heel-toe or not, despite the clutch being fully depressed. I don't know how many others this has affected, but I can think of about 5 off the top of my head - all 3-2 problems. Looks like I may be off to the dealer. Any suggestions before I go?

Try double clutching. To see if the problem goes away. If so more than likely a synchro. My upshifts from 1 to 2 are very notchy as well.

[Icedog_16]

Originally Posted by Bruce

How many miles and what gear oil are you using?

9K and stock oil.

[Icedog_16]

Originally Posted by TTP

Try double clutching. To see if the problem goes away. If so more than likely a synchro. My upshifts from 1 to 2 are very notchy as well.

This AM on my way to work, I specifically coasted for awhile holding the clutch in and then did the 3-2 downshift and got the grind at 40, same thing for heel-toe a bit later. BTW, I have the same 1-2 notchiness as well.

[TTP]

First Week of April
I'm at a track event and notice that shift from 3 to 2 is a bit sticky and 1 to 2 is notchier than usual. Nothing remarkable about the shift other than those two things. The track event is over without any mechanical incidents. If I recall correctly, at this point my car had about 25K miles on the odo and the geat oil had been changed at 15K so it had about 10K on the new oil.

I go home, business as usual and drive the car almost daily. Issue doesn't really crop up any more.

Last week of April
I'm at another track event and same thing happens. Heel/toe from 3 to 2 it's much stickier and I get some grinding @ around 6.5K RPM but not 80% of the time. 1 to 2 is a bit notchier than the last track event.

Sometime in May
I'm concerned that it might be a synchro issue and bring it into Autostrada for evaluation. They are able to repeat the grinding at 6.5K RPM from 3 to 2. I was told by Autostrada that they called Dave Simken with this issue and was told that Dave said "since it's only repeatable in extreme track driving conditions, Lotus aren't going to open it up to see if it's a synchro issue and it that they won't replace it under warranty".

I get the car back and go about business as usual putting in daily miles on the car. In normal daily driving I still feel the stickiness from 3 to 2 and 1 to 2.

First Week of June
I attend a track event and right off the bat the tranny is really sticky. I have a mis-shift going from 5 to 4 and accidently hit 2 instead. Zinged the RPMs to 9600 for a brief instant. I don't have to go to 2nd much at this track so the only time I'm going from 3 to 2 is getting off the track and I get the grinding at around 5K RPM.

Mid July
Before this event I change the gear oil again to see if it would help. I'm at 31K on the odo. The synchros are really bad now. At this track I'm using 2nd in two sectors and I'm consistently getting grinding from 3 to 2 100% of the time. I can easily repeat the grinding between 3 and 2. 1- to 2 is notchy! I have a large clunking noise when lifting off gas pedal

August
I bring to Autostrada explaining the issue. Autostrada is able to repeat the grinding issue and also the clunking. Come to find out engine mounts were loose which partially explained the grinding due to misalignment, but even after the engine mounts were touqued down the grinding still happened. So Lotus covers the engine mount work but denies warranty on the synchro claim. This time Autostrada ran my ecu and saw the mis-shift and 2 standing starts. This reasoning albeit a different one than last time was used to deny my warranty claim. IMO the mis-shift may not have happened if the problem had been diagnosed and fixed when I brought it to them in April. After some back and forth Autostrada tells me to call Andy Plant directly to get resolution.

September
Called Andy Plant right before labor day and explained the above. He say's he's going to talk to Autostrada and Simken and he will let me know the outcome. I get a call from Autostrada mid September and they say that Lotus will only cover the cost of a new tranny and I'm SOL on the labor. I ask for the estimate in of labor and was told 1K. I had wasted enough time on the issue and was already frustrated so I accepted the terms. I had already started to investigate a tranny rebuild with new synchros and it would have cost me about the same anyway.

October
I buy an ACT clutch. I put my car into service at Autstrada have both the clutch and tranny replaced. The shifting is really tight. I like the new clutch.

The End.