I just acquired a 1978 928 with a 5 speed manual gearbox.

The gearshift lever has no tension on it. The lever can fall from right to left untill it hits the side of the gearshift tunnel (the small springs inthe shifter housing are intact). However all gears (including reverse) can be selected but since basically no neutral gate, not really driveable.
(clutch seems to be fine)

I am wondering if the lockout spring in the gearbox could be the problem source?

 

Rear shift coupler perhaps? The plastic bushings crack, then fall out, rendering the shifter almost non-functional. Relatively easy to visually inspect.

 

The coupler is located above the torque tube.

 

Thank you very much! I will check that out this week end!! (obviously not something I would have thought of)

 

I doubt that's it. If all gears can be selected this wouldn't be the issue. Sounds internal to me.

 

If it flops over to R-1st, it is not the ball cup or the rear coupler IMO.

Does sound internal.

Not sure I understand what you mean by it doesn't have a neutral gate.

 

It could also be the front ball joint. I had similar symptoms with the floppy gear stick, but could engage gears for a while until it jumped right off. Its worth thinking about that as your problem (although I could find neutral). I cant remember if you can see it or not from the underside. I remember that I lashed some wire around the gear selector rod to hold it down on the ball joint until I got it repaired.

 

I do thank everyone - it would appear for the most part it is the rear coupler - has no bushings! (I have not checked the front ball joint yet)

Any cheap ideas on where I can obtain the bushings?

Again thanks everyone for your help!!

 

Here's a link to an old post of mine showing pics and a parts breakdown of the rear coupler .... https://rennlist.com/forums/9840872-post11.html

You can get new standard or delrin bushings for the rear coupler (and the front coupler bush) from Roger at 928'sRus ... I've used delrin for the rear and they're better than standard IMO.

Search 'rear coupler' and you'll find quite a few threads, including the one that has the above post.

 

Note: I did go back and reviewed postings on the transmission rear coupler and I also will be ordering the delrin bushing from 928'sRUs.

Thanks for the help, I am now waiting for the parts.