Thread: what am i doing wrong here

First time I've seen one.

I suspect the ball and/or ring is worn, allowing it to fall out originally. Not sure what you can do about it, possibly build up the ring or ball with weld and file it out, but that is going to be a bit tedious. Otherwise, replace one or both parts with new, or less worn, assuming you can find them. Parts are the same to end S3, so a late model one from a vehicle scrapped due to rust might be the go.

It is an anti-rattle spring and the only effect of it being missing is that the lever will rattle. Missing spring is not uncommon, as clubagreenie notes.

John

Mostly, it will only rattle if the hinge-bolt is loose. You can nip it up using trial and error - too tight and it will be really hard to use. Just take the looseness out of it. I did have that spring in mine (it sits in the groove in the ball) but I lost it during a bit of gearbox work, and I really didn't notice any difference.

Dan.
69 2A 88" pet4 (still in disguise), 68 2B FC pet6 (still resting quietly), plus 14 other parts/project cars (1xS2, 6xS2As, 7xS3s).