I have put the gear selector back in and it is really loose to select gears. It was fine when I took it off a couple of years ago but now it doesn't feel right. Any one got any tips on what to do to fix it? I am going to pull it all apart and rebuild it if I have to. I have made sure to put a new bolt in the main rod where it connects onto the box and the pins are in tight as well.
Any tips? Thanks.

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1975 1310cc Street Mini Custom
1974 Leyland Mini daily driver
2008 Cooper S R55 Clubman

When I put mine back in the throws were really long. It turned out I had a part in backwards. It was a while ago but I think it was the detent spring, and washer??? I will have a look and see what I can find.

Do you have a workshop manual? I will find mine and scan a diagram if someone doesn't jump on here with a more definitive answer sooner.

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"Beware the lollipop of mediocrity: lick it once and you'll suck forever" Brian Wilson

Has the gearbox been touched at all, or is it just the selector?

If it's just the selector, check that the big spring and plastic dome are in place before putting the metal cap over the top. Also make sure that the pin that goes in the side that fits into the groove of the domed part of the gear stick is in place (without it, you can rotate the gearstick!). Provided that the components aren't too worn and that the joint in the rod are tight, there isn't too much more to look at.

If you have touched the gearbox, you didn't forget to put the rod detent ball and spring back in? They go in just next to the hole where the rod enters, and they are held in place by the diff side cover.

The gearbox hasn't been touched. It also may be the fact that I havn't driven it for 3 years and the last mini I drove had a quickshift. Either way I would like it to be a bit tighter. Any ideas or help would be good. If I have to pull it apart and replace some worn components I will put it on the to-do list.

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1975 1310cc Street Mini Custom
1974 Leyland Mini daily driver
2008 Cooper S R55 Clubman

I found that alot of the slop in my gearstick went away when i replaced the saddle/cup. They are made out of aluminum so i think it would wear a lot faster than the ball on the end of the gearstick.

You can see here how much it was worn:

Thanks for the pic. I think I will pull it apart soon and renew the saddle. Seeing how worn it can get i think it would make it a lot smoother and nicer.

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1975 1310cc Street Mini Custom
1974 Leyland Mini daily driver
2008 Cooper S R55 Clubman