Driving home the other night, ran into a problem I haven't had before. Went to shift from 3rd to 4th gear, and it wasn't there. The shift lever just seemed to swim around and couldn't find the gear, but was able to move over to 5th gear. So it seemed like I have 1,3 & 5th, but the shift lever couldn't find any of the even. Then coming out of 5th couldn't find any of the others. Pulled over and tried to make sure the shift linkages were attached, granted the air box is mostly in the way. Had replaced the clutch and installed a Quaife LSD about 5K miles ago, but doesn't feel like a clutch/transmission issue. I'm hoping to start looking at it tonight, think it is either the shift linkage not staying connected to trans (doubtful) or the shift guide/linkage at the shifter is going. Hopefully it's a simple fix...

 

Do you have an a Cravenspeed shifter with the old white 3d printed bushing? Mine came apart, and was something like what you describe. They sent their new bushing, and that fixed it.

Or, possible that the bushing on the shift cable came apart. Mine was getting pretty slopping, so replaced with this:

https://www.bushingfix.com/mini-coop...ushing-repair/

Nice simple solution. Install tip- try using a c-clamp to press it in. Don't know what else you can get in the tight confines of the engine bay, since in these cars the rod ends are not removable, annoyingly.

 

No Cravenspeed short shifter installed, but wonder if it is that busing going bad. I'll also check the transmission connector bushings as well, and thanks for the link to replacements.

 

Sounds like the stock shifter bushing went bad. Happened on my 2016.

 

Update, the shift cable retaining clips to the transmission was broken during the clutch replacement I did a couple months ago. So the cable popped out, was able to salvage by creating a retaining clip of zip ties (did clip ends off). If that doesn't work, hopefully will buy enough time to save some money for new clutch cable w/ cassette. New one runs about $800.

 

Ah bummer. How might one avoid this issue? Did you just forget to unclip it before dropping the tranny, or is it something more insidious?

 

Took them out, if I remember I got a little over zealous when disengaging the clips and crack it. Then when putting it back the tabs snapped off. Mostly user error. Over all my clutch replacement has been a "how not to do a clutch job", LOL.

 

Oh no that sucks. Sorry to hear this. :(

 

Hi there! Any update on issue. I found used set of shift cable linkage and wonder if there is any way to replace retaining clips to the transmission only?

 

I did replace the shift cable cassette. I was unable to replace just the broken piece, had to replace the entire cable.

 

Yep they are all made like that, on the older MINIs the end where the ball pivots and break apart or need greased. The boots over time fall apart and the cables can rust on the inside. Had this happen on my older R52.

Spray a little grease under the boot and on the pivot joints.