Type 9 gear lever extension

[simon marks]

Hi Gents

Have just converted my 93 narrow body from 4 to 5 speed. I have fitted the factory made type 9 gear lever extension and I am rather concerned that the propshaft  UJ is very close to the extension selector mechanism. Is this normal? or have I missed something?

Your thoughts / solutions would be much appreciated      

Thanks in advance

Simon

[chrisinoxford]

Simon.

They are close but dont worry they are fine.

I am more concerned with the freeplay where my gear stick connects to the extension lever. Should there be a plastic spacer that stops this free play? and if so where do i purchase?

chris.

[Dave Eastwood (Gadgetman)]

Yes, there's a little black plastic "saddle" arrangement that sat in the same place on the end of the original gear selector rod in the gearbox tail housing. Replacements are/were available from Ford.

[Howard]

The extension does get close to the UJ - somewhere around 10-15mm. Or at least, it does on mine.

Any less than that and I'd be concerned.

Do you know if you have got a standard or heavy duty UJ?  I used to have a heavy duty one (other people have done, too) and being bigger they cause real problems with clipping the extension especially when trying to select reverse.  I've since changed to the standard UJ.

There should be a plastic clip between the gear lever and the extension.  You should be able to get one from your local Ford dealer. Sometimes they have to order them.  They are only a bit over a quid.

[chrisinoxford]

plastic bit it is then thanks, my extension doesnt clash not sure what prop i have standard i think from westy

[simon marks]

Hi Howard

Gap is down to a couple of mm at best ! Did not know that there are different uj's around. It is the original prop supplied by westfield. I must assume I have the heavy duty version which leads me to the question of where the best place is to obtain either a new prop or or can I have just the uj changed?

Cheers

Simon

[Howard]

That's definitely too close.

Did you get the prop direct from Westfield? Just want to be sure of its provenance. Maybe someone else has modified it. I'd be surprised if Westfield supplied it with a HD UJ.

Measuring my old HD UJ that I now have on the shelf, it is 89mm across the corners (max diameter), and 82mm across the flats.

That compares with a standard UJ that should be around 77mm across the corners (max diameter) and around 73mm across the flats.

That may help you identify which one you have got.

If you do have the large one, then Westfield may be able to supply you with a prop of the correct dimensions but you should be able to get yours modified by a driveshaft company near you.  I had mine modified by Wilson Driveshafts in Nottingham. Cost about £95 and very quick turnaround.

Another thing to check is the extension mechanism.

Is it all straight and true? I had a problem in that the vertical plate that carries the bush for the extension rod had been bent slightly. This caused the double whammy of shifting the end of the extension rod closer to the UJ,

and a difficult compromise between selecting reverse too easily by accident or the gear lever fork becoming disengaged from the extension rod when trying to select 3rd. Careful study of the whole assembly on the bench brought this to light and after straightening it up I welded some bracing ribs onto the mech to eliminate flex.

I'm not saying that you should rush off and start chopping yours around but it may be worth a closer look.

HTH.

Howard

[simon marks]

Thanks Howard I will Take a closer look

[oioi]

hmmm - just about to fit an extension to mine.  something to look out for.

what concerns me is if you dont slow down for the yumps and clout the gearbox and shear the gearbox mount the propshaft pops out the top of the transmission tunnel... (its a tad surprising when that happens)

although i guess in that scenario the gearbox will be rising as well so should be all right