This happened today after driving for three hours- just parked it for an hour- got back in, couldn't select first, second or third- very stiff gear change all of a sudden- very 'ornery'.

Reverse is a no go- can bring the stick along the plane, detente spring resistence noted, but no motion allowed (south) into reverse gear, nada.

Checked clutch fluid, stopped engine- gears still very stiff, started again, selected fourth after effort, selected first after more effort- all very stiff on the shift with no free play at all.

Rolled out of parking space (on a slope thank god) in first, clutch pedal depressed, drove home (100km). Up through the gears- bit of clashing (synchros) on third, second (going down). Very stiff gearshift, feels like the end of it is stuck in epoxy pudding.

No noises, fifth is easiest to select, fourth ok, bit of grind (double de-clutching after this) Third stiff, then all of a sudden, box feels 'free'- a small bit of play at the shift (normal), selects fourth and third fine, go to select second- back to being stiff- first is still major effort. That feeling you get when you do some thing mechanical and suspect it might break, consequences.

Anyway, as I said above, she held to together to get home (as I find Land Rovers tend to do).

Now what the hell is it?
Broken or loose selector shafts? Broken layshift spiggot?
I have no idea.
I'll drop the oil tomorrow and see what I find in that, but I suspect it has nothing to do with lubrication. The oil, 75/90 Nulon 'smoothshift' is about four months old- 10k. Previously ATF.

Opinions? Advice?


Vehicle: '96 Defender 130. 326k on the clock.