Hi everyone,

My '05 base Cooper is bone stock, and just turned 51K. For the past several thousand miles, it's become increasingly difficult to shift. It's tough to grab third--usually it misses and I have to double-clutch it, sometimes more than once. And for the rest of the gears, it feels stiff.

The problem is most noticeable just in neutral. With the car at a light in neutral, just moving the shifter to the left or the right requires a lot of effort. Once I do that, it just "stays there," i.e. it doesn't move back to the neutral position if I let go. The clutch feels fine, and the engine is very smooth and sounds wonderful, as always.

Any ideas? I live in northern MA (Chelmsford) and may soon look for an independent shop, as the car is now out of warranty. But I thought I'd put it out there in case it's an easy fix.

Best,
Jamie

 

Hi Jamie,

Given the side to side sticking issue I'd start with two things. Clean and lube the bottom of the shifter in the inside the car. Then also check to make sure the clips that hold the shift cables to the tranny have not broken or slipped out of place. This might be something you can do at home.

 

As AutoX said lube it!!

but if does not solve the problem, bleed the clutch.
if still a problem---check if the clutch is going...or the master cyl.
if still a problem -- replace the tranny fluid.

 

@AutoXCooper and s2k7: Thanks to both of you! I'll take off the shifter boot and see if I can see anything. I don't have a lift or even a creeper, but maybe I can find something.

Incidentally, I don't think it's *related* to this thread, but the cold weather could be making it a little worse: https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...when-cold.html

That said, it was already starting to happen during the summer. I'll report back. Thanks again!

Best,
Jamie

 

Hi So what happened? Di you figure it out?

 

Not yet. I, um, had trouble figuring out how to take apart the center console and shift boot so I can get underneath. I couldn't find anything in the forums after repeated searches, and I can't afford the Bentley manual just yet. I tried messing around with the shfiter and shift boot and couldn't find anything.

Embarrassing, I know. Sorry!

Best,
Jamie

 

Oh and as soon as I figure it out, I'll do it. I still have to fix it, after all. I was thinking of taking it to Greasy's Garage in Worcester MA, since they're about 50 minutes from where I live and highly recommended on the forums. But I'd like to try it myself first.

 

The shift boot and the silver plastic thing around it are actually very easy to remove. Just get a large flat-blade screwdriver (or better, an inexpensive "interior trim removal tool") and carefully pry upward. There are four slender dowel-like pins that hold it in place.

Once you have it off, you'll see a nylon ball-and-socket assembly which is right there in plain view. Some white lithium grease on the ball may help.

 

Just to update everyone, I finally took the car to Greasy's Garage in Worcester, MA. They were absolutely fantastic. Along with the 60K service, they replaced the brakes and rotors, and figured out the tight shifter problem in like 10 minutes; the cables were in a bind, if I understood correctly. The car shifts wonderfully now.

Overall, it was the best $1k I spent in a long time (which was actually pretty reasonable given all the work, I thought). Thank you to everyone for their help with this problem, even though I chickened out in the end and had Greasy Garage fix it for me.

Best,
Jamie

 

 

I had the same issue with my 05 MCS and it went away after bleeding the clutch slave cylinder.

 

I have an issue that is similar to this on my '02 R50, although it is only in second gear, and the car isn't going into gear. It feels like it is, but then it pops out. This is generally happening when making a sharp turn, for example turning onto the street from a stop. I started my own thread, but it requires admin approval (probably since I am a newly registered user), and it still hasn't been approved.

Any tips would be appreciated.