Problem with the shifter for a month or so now- the shifter is incredibly stiff in the middle (neutral) position. It is very easy going into gear though. For example going from 1st to 2nd is a piece of cake. 2nd to 3rd requires effort to get it to go to the right and up to 3rd otherwise it just goes into 1st. 3rd to 4th is fine but again 4th to 5th requires a lot of effort to get it over to the right. Down shifting is the same way and parallel parking is a royal pain (1st to R and back and forth). When the shifter is just in the middle (N) it is extremely difficult to move from left to right. Length of drive, letting things get all warmed up, going fast or slow have not had any effect on this at all. Otherwise everything seems totally normal. Any e-z ideas for an out of work guy with an out of warranty MINI? My right arm is getting sore (and strong I suppose).
Background: Regular 2006 COOPER in MA, 5 spd. manual, <60k miles. It has been a cold winter so maybe that is having an effect?

 

man this doesnt sound good at all. im not sure theres any bushing under the shifter to replace. try mabe lubricating the swivel ball at the base of the shifter and mabe climb underneath and make sure your shift linkage isnt bound somehow. mabe try a SSK...
ever thought the issue may be in the trans?

 

You may be having an issue with your gear shift switching unit. Disconnect the cables from the transmission and see if they move freely then. If they don't move freely, something in the shift linkage is binding.

If you need the gearshift unit, the P/N is 23 11 7 545 076 and you'll need to replace the screws (x3) 23 11 7 568 464.

 

Jhud: I hope the actual transmission is ok, it isn't making any odd noises and the actual gear engagement itself seems fine.
zminitech: Thanks for the tip will tear into it (and the well documented thermostat + housing replacement my MINI also needs) as soon as some of this snow melts.

 

id try what zminitech says but that would be odd being they fixed this concern that the 03s were having with water intrusion which in cold weather would freeze the cable. they updated the line with different boots at each end i think it was. good luck.

 

So I finally took care of the thermostat- had to go to the dealer to get the right thermo gasket thing (original white one was like a soggy necco wafer) which meant I had to buy the thermostat there for 44 bucks (need to return the $15 thermostat to autozone...stat) as the gasket isn't sold separately (new gasket totally different btw; it is clear white silicone and thicker). So while I had the intake box and battery box out I went ahead and hit the shift linkage with some wd and it is now shifting as good as new. So that is that. Hopefully we'll have no coolant leaks from the thermostat and/or housing (whichI did not replace).
Thanks for the help!

 

Crap I spoke too soon the radiator fluid keeps disappearing need to check the boards to see what is up. Still shifts great though.

 

Make sure you filled the car up with enough coolant, take the radiator cap off, located on the thermo housing. If the coolant level is at the top, you are good to go. If not, turn on the car and let it run, while it is running, add coolant, this will force any air in the system out through the top.

On another note, the gasket you received is an updated part that is much better than the previous.

 

So it turned out that there must have been air in the system, even though I bled it multiple times. I kept topping it off over the course of about 300 miles and now it is rock steady at the full mark on the overflow tank. Running normal in traffic during unusually hot weather and everything. Anyone doing a thermostat should get the parts from MINI directly and while you're in there lube up the shift linkage pivots. Now, I really want a luggage carrier. I have searched everywhere for a vintage looking luggage carrier similar to the type they made back in the day with a silver frame and wood slats. Like a VW Beetle. They do make a newer version for the New Beetle but so far I have not found one for the MINI. Any ideas? Thanks!

 

Reviving an old thread. I've got the same symptoms with my gearbox as ppgoodpears (also a 2006 MT). Could someone give some guidance on what needs to be removed (if anything) in order to get to the shift linkage? I would like to try lubing it.

Thanks!
Adam

 

You just need to remove the intake and the battery and battery holder. Lube up the pivots (have someone move the shifter around as you do this) and you'll be good as new!

 

Thank you for the help! Did that, and can move the shifter left/right again. Still have an issue where the transmission does not "center" between 3rd & 4th, though. There is no "springyness" left to right when he shifter is in neutral. I think I'll try getting under the car and lubing under the shifter, too. I've tried searching this forum and MINI2.com, but no one seems to have had that issue.

 

did you find a fix? i'm having the same issue after replacing the shift cables...

 

I would love to see an update on this. I took the shifter unit out of the tranny and lubed the shaft. It seemed to have improved the centering. Wondering if anyone else tried something else.

 

Is everyone's problem only with the 5speed manual transmission?

If you can move your level left to right while in neutral and it doesn't return back to the centered 3/4 position i would suspect the shifter assembly itself is faulty or dried out. Try relubing the ball and socket that the shifter swivels on.