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[Sir Tigger KC]

Well that got your attention! 

Yes it's my gear lever on the Mondeo. It got a bit stiff and 'notchy' when changing gear. 

I pulled the gaiter off and greased what I could see of the linkages, but that hasn't made any difference.

It's a 2008 Mk4 with 178,000 miles and it had 113,000 when I bought it. So it almost certainly has the original gearbox oil, although I'm pretty sure it's a sealed for life unit, so I'm not even sure if it's possible to change the oil. 

Box of matches? 

[JasonH]

It's not sealed for life and it mostly likely would benefit from a gearbox oil change.

I can't remember exactly but I think it only takes one or two litres. Put some decent synthetic stuff in for the few extra £ it will cost.

[Field Marshal Dr. Opti]

Well that got your attention! 

Yes it's my gear lever on the Mondeo. It got a bit stiff and 'notchy' when changing gear. 

I pulled the gaiter off and greased what I could see of the linkages, but that hasn't made any difference.

It's a 2008 Mk4 with 178,000 miles and it had 113,000 when I bought it. So it almost certainly has the original gearbox oil, although I'm pretty sure it's a sealed for life unit, so I'm not even sure if it's possible to change the oil. 

Box of matches? 

Not really.

At your age I guessed it had little to do with erectile glory.

[Sir Tigger KC]

Well that got your attention! 

Yes it's my gear lever on the Mondeo. It got a bit stiff and 'notchy' when changing gear. 

I pulled the gaiter off and greased what I could see of the linkages, but that hasn't made any difference.

It's a 2008 Mk4 with 178,000 miles and it had 113,000 when I bought it. So it almost certainly has the original gearbox oil, although I'm pretty sure it's a sealed for life unit, so I'm not even sure if it's possible to change the oil. 

Box of matches? 

Not really.

At your age I guessed it had little to do with erectile glory.

Oi I'm only 19 in Lord Opti years! 

[Viral_Jim]

Well that got your attention! 

It's a 2008 Mk4 with 178,000 miles and it had 113,000 when I bought it. So it almost certainly has the original gearbox oil, although I'm pretty sure it's a sealed for life unit, so I'm not even sure if it's possible to change the oil. 

Box of matches? 

Happened to my best mate's '59 plate estate at about 130k.

Like you he tried spraying all sorts on it and it didn't cure it. Apparently the linkage on these are cables in a tube, bit like a mower throttle. These can corrode and bind up against the inner wall of the sleeving. If so, the only solution that works beyond the very short term is to replace the cables. Parts are £80-100 for new, £30+ for used off ebay depending on how long you're planning to keep the car. You could pop the linkage off the gearbox end and see how stiff/notchy it feels to try and rule out anything with the box itself. That said I would have thought you'd get whine/crunchiness before stiffness in the gear shift. 

Having recently been under the bonnet of the galaxy, I suspect the PITA factor of changing the cables will be significant. 

[Sir Tigger KC]

Well that got your attention! 

It's a 2008 Mk4 with 178,000 miles and it had 113,000 when I bought it. So it almost certainly has the original gearbox oil, although I'm pretty sure it's a sealed for life unit, so I'm not even sure if it's possible to change the oil. 

Box of matches? 

Happened to my best mate's '59 plate estate at about 130k.

Like you he tried spraying all sorts on it and it didn't cure it. Apparently the linkage on these are cables in a tube, bit like a mower throttle. These can corrode and bind up against the inner wall of the sleeving. If so, the only solution that works beyond the very short term is to replace the cables. Parts are £80-100 for new, £30+ for used off ebay depending on how long you're planning to keep the car. You could pop the linkage off the gearbox end and see how stiff/notchy it feels to try and rule out anything with the box itself. That said I would have thought you'd get whine/crunchiness before stiffness in the gear shift. 

Having recently been under the bonnet of the galaxy, I suspect the PITA factor of changing the cables will be significant. 

Thanks Jim, that's a good point about gearbox noise, there are no funny noises, it sounds normal. 

Agreed that changing the cables would be a PITA though. 

Talking of PITA Ford jobs Jim, next time you pop the bonnet on your Galaxy have a quick looky see at the end of your bonnet release cable. On mine the end 10mm of the cable at the catch was totally unprotected, which is why they rust out and snap. Depending on the age of your Galaxy, I expect it is the same setup and you might save yourself a lot of hassle even if you just give it a smear of grease. 

[Viral_Jim]

Thanks sir Tig, I shall investigate next time I put some washer fluid in, or it breaks down. 

Given it's a ford, I can't imagine they'll be ar$ed to change the design between the Mondeo and galaxy. 

[Sir Tigger KC]

Thanks sir Tig, I shall investigate next time I put some washer fluid in, or it breaks down. 

Given it's a ford, I can't imagine they'll be ar$ed to change the design between the Mondeo and galaxy. 

Yes I think it will be the same or very similar. 

The steel cable itself has a plastic coating apart from the last 10mm where it connects to the catch and it is exposed to the elements.     Doh!