After a day under, in and on the +8. I have replaced the offending bushes. The ones I removed were made of black neoprene and were cut to shreds. Once the transmission tunnel had been removed I could easily move the remote diagonally by some 2-3 cms. Looking at it now I am amazed I could select any gear at all.
I have photos of the old bushes and the new ones installed, but I cannot see how to upload them to Talk Morgan - if somebody gives me a clue or two I will upload them. I have also taken a photo of the small remote 'under pan' that was rubbing on the prop shaft- nasty abrasions but a far worse sound.
The 4 lower bushes were an easy fit with the polypros bushes but the top bushes needed an additional packing piece under the head of each bolt washer. This seemed to be caused by the new polyprop bushes not being as thick as the original set up which had an additional rubber spacing bush between bolt head washer and bush. These additional spacers were not mentioned in the GoMog literature or by Rimmer Bros.
An alternative solution would have been to turn down the top metal spacers on a lathe so the difference between the thickness between the old rubber and new polypros bushes was removed.
The remote has now been replaced and the gear shift now feels delicious - I have not had the engine running but I have high hopes that all gear changes will be even better than before.
Another 1/2 day should see everything reassembled and sealed. I hate removing and replacing that transmission tunnel cover - even with two of us jiggling and pushing, this way and that, it is still a pig to get back into place.
Hopefully tomorrow night I will be able to let you all know the job has been a great success. Incidentally I decided NOT to dismantle the remote 'under tray' and inspect the notorious grub screw. I will however keep the spare with the car!
Aching all over, but much happier!
