Hello

I've just signed up and have a small problem with my 1982 series III 88, the gearstich rattles in 2nd and 3rd gear, is this a serious problem?

I see from the manuals that I should check and top up the transmission/gear oil on a regular basis. I may seem a little thick as I know very little about mechanics, but can someone direct me to where I top it up and check it?

Hope someone can help

you should buy yer self a haynes or similar. you find all you need to know in there and as its past my bedtime i'm ain't gonna go through the gearbox topping up stuff now. if no- one else has done so by tomorrow, i might .

The rattling gear lever isn't normal but if it doesn't jump out of gear and the actual box sounds ok then I'd put up with it. Here is an article to help you change the fluids:

http://www.landrovernet.com/forum/showthread.php?t=26316

As a bit of advice, I would always loosen the filler plug before removing the drain plug - that way you know you'll be able to fill it up afterwards. Would be a nightmare if you couldn't get the filler plug off once all the oil has been drained.

The rattling gear lever.

'Normal' is so emotive.

If gearbox works OK and gears can be selected without difficulty, then it could very well be 'tolerated' and so become 'Normal'.

If by 'Normal' you mean 'designer's intent' then it is not normal. My view is that the gear lever ball is worn. The gear lever has a ball on the end which sits in a socket and is retained in place by a spring. The spring supplies event pressure on the ball to provide some friction. It is this friction which stops the lever vibrating when the gear is engaged.

There might be some wear on the gear shift forks, but if gears can be seleced then this should not be a worry.

You might even find the spring described above is weak or broken.

Get a Haynes Manual. The advice is good - the decision on whether the gearbox requires work depends on the extent of problems the driver can tolerate.

Yep, concur with Steamcoaster. They wobble about all over the shop, but if it does all the things it should in shuffling the cogs about & they stay where they're supposed to then the "friction providing springy thing" (don't think that's the product name exactly) sounds to be the culprit.

It can usually be fixed by turning the stereo up.

yup you got to look at the age of these beasties and realise that somethings you put up with until it come time for major work. there are way to fix some of the age related shakes and rattles but they are best kept to yourself as they can be somewhat unorthodox ( is that right?)..
if it goes in gear and stay in gear, leave alone..