1997 Mentor 5 Sp Manual Gearbox

[brewster]

Only had the car for couple of months, drives well except, Just wondering if anyone else has experienced difficulty selecting 1st or reverse? The gearbox is very spongy i put this down to being like this from new, but wondering if there could be some wear in linkage bushes or something.

Brewster

[1fastkia]

Please post topics in the correct forum this has nothing to do with performance upgrades....
Moved.

[alwklammer]

I have a 95 Aspire 3 Dr hatchback( USA Ford model/made by Kia/Mazda engine/Festiva replacement ). Exact same problem with 5 speed. Read a magazine article about car test driven as new. Report stated car shifting was rubbery when new. My mechanic tried to repair mine/ said most of the inner parts were disintegrated/ now it's un-drivable. Another article I read stated oil will destroy inner parts of shifter. Ford lists parts for these cars but doesn't stock much of anything for them. I am searching worldwide for parts for "Avella" ( Europeon/Asian model). Was Mentor a Ford Autralian version? I think Japan's version was still Festiva.

My advice? Don't take it apart and live with it unless you find parts. If you do, let me know.

Al

[brewster]

Been away, thanks although i dont know if it helps. Think i'll live with it.

Al