I think I need a bit of bush n' balls, anybody know the P/N?

I'll take a look in the morning at the linkage underneath.
Doing a short leisurely drive a short while ago in our newly acquired Atmo GTA when all of a sudden lost tension in the gearbox dropping to third to overtake a cyclist, when I accelerated the revs just went up, nothing in 4th, or 5th too, (akin to being in neutral), dropping down into second and traction came back so limped home in that gear, had to do a stop start at one point & thankfully 1st good too, and then going back to 2nd OK.
However no reverse and no neutral, so the car is only ever in 1st or 2nd - I'm guessing something 'popped off'.
Fortunately I was close to home so no biggie.
Would this point to me having dodgy Bush n balls?
I called X3 main 'localish' Renault dealers this morning but of course, they have long removed our cars from their books, without a part number they said they are unable to help .

Thanks guys...

[mettersl]

There are two problems components in the gear change...the bush and the balls (this is sounding very Benny Hill).
Both deteriorate and impact the gear change. If your car hasn't had them changed, they will need doing.
Both are at the rear of the transmission tunnel where the gear linkage joins the gearbox.
The bush can be replaced in situ by using a caulking gun (as in bath sealer) as a vice to push it in. Bush tends to be sudden failure and balls tend to be sloppiness (I think). If the bush pops out you lose all gears (except the one its already in).
As yours went suddenly I would have a look at the rear and under the gear lever for something having come apart.
The balls need to come out and be replaced (Clee at John Ashley cars did that on my car) .
Lee

Thanks Lee,

By the time I got home I think only 2nd gear was in use so definitely the bush & balls, to be honest I'm glad it went now whilst so close to home - the gear feel was always a bit vague & awkward so as they say, all for the best in the long run.
I'll post some pics of my findings but for now Friday eve is almost upon us
Many thanks Pete

For what it's worth Pete, the gear selection should be quite positive on the GTA, certainly better than something like the Lotus Esprit - also UN1 but pulleys and cables rather than our rods.

So I think it sounds like you're on the right track and you should have a much better shift action once sorted.

Cheers DarrenBiggs

Also..The linkages can come apart...this happened to me recently..it was recovered to Lee/RATS so I'm not sure exactly what happened...as I did not see it directly.
I lost selection ..could sometimes get 1 or 2.
Lee mentioned something had come apart..I think it was a bolt that was about to drop out.

As a side thought, are the bushes available through our local Renault dealer or is that way too much to presume, if so does anybody have a part number please?
Many thanks

[mettersl]

gearchange.jpg

Hi Petehuws,
You will need a copy of PR1132...the parts catalogue, page 38.201. If you PM me an email address, I'll mail you a scan.
I think its 7700692252, but there may be a more recent part number.
As you can see from the diagram, there have been some changes and the new bush is hard white plastic, early ones were transparent.
After a failure of one on my first alpine in France changing the bush and checking ball condition is a "first steps with new car" thing for me.
As Darren says, the gear change is very precise if in good condition.
Happy hunting.
Lee

hi Lee, what can I say apart from many thanks indeed... A virtual world beer your way from me, thank you very much.

I'll PM you my email address, much appreciated buddy.

Can I just add that I found it near on impossible to use a caulk gun or similar to pull the new, transparent bush into place. I ended up using a nut and bolt with two large washers to drag the bush onto the spigot; I posted my woes in the Members area.
For me it turn out to be a real faff.