Hi everyone
I'll try to give some background first then my question . (I hope it all makes sense)
My 147 has had a really sloppy gearshift for a couple of years.
I took it to an Alfa mechanic here in Melbourne about 2 years ago, but he wasn't interested in fixing it because, it would take too long and he didn't have time to search for a kit, and they were hard to get etc.
So I just kept driving it, but now got to a point where I'm having trouble finding reverse, and sometimes second gear.
I couldn't go on any longer so today I bit the bullet, got the tools out, crawled under the car and removed the Shift mechanism myself.
I started researching for repair kits and discovered there are 2 types of shift mechanism using on the 147.
Mine is a single piece, but there is another that came later (?) made of 2 pieces bolted together.
I watched this Youtube vide - he has the same as mine and showed how to repair my style mechanisms which was great -> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vWOymyEiSUQ&t=231s
I only need the 2 plastic bushes, Main Centre and Side Crank .
The kit recommended in the video costs $200.00 AUD shipped, which is freaking expensive for 2 small bits of plastic, so I tried sourcing the parts individually to see if I can get them cheaper.
I found the small bush for only $6:00 AUD, but I cant find anyone that stocks the large bush anywhere.
My Question is .....
• Does anyone know why there were two styles of Shift mechanism?
• and are the two mechanisms interchangeable?
* was the 2 piece a later improvement by Alfa to replace the old style?
The reason I ask is, because with the 2 piece mechanism, the top half is bolted down to a bottom frame, and its the top piece that carries all the bushes and can be replace in one go.
The 2 piece shifter parts can be easily found and for a reasonable price too.
If I can get hold of a 2 piece shifter and just buy the kit, I may be more cost effective instead.
Have you tried to see if Arese Spares in Sydney or Italian Automotive Spares in Melbourne can source the bushes for you?
Arese's was the first Web site I checked, but they only carry parts for the shifter mechanism that can be split into 2 pieces.
For my type, they only have the smaller bush (pn:46768698) which is common to both types.
Unfortunately I also need the lager bush (pn:46748696) that no one seems to have anymore.
I'll give Arese and Italian Automotive Spares a call tomorrow just to be sure.
I think my best bet is to try and find the Spit type mechanism that Arese sells the bushes kit for.
The Spit type seems to be readably available, I just have to find out in they are interchangeable and works on my car.
Thanks Bazzbazz
I checked with Italian Automotive Spares in Melbourne and it turns out they had some old stock of the large bush, but they said the small bush is not made anymore. I checked with Arese and got the same feedback with the small bush.
So I got the large bush and managed to find a NOS small bush on eBay in Estonia (or someplace like that) .
Meanwhile I will also put an order in for new shifter cables with Arese also.
I'm sure these changes will improve the feel and reduce and sloppiness ...
However I notice that the leavers on the gearbox also seem to have a bit of play. I'm not sure if that's normal??
I'm make a video tomorrow night to show what I mean.
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