Corsa C difficult to engage gear?

Now this was a common issue. If the gearstick suddenly feels completely loose and you're finding it hard to find the gears, the gear shift linkage is worn out.


It's relatively easy to fix but might be a little daunting first time. The mechanism did cost around a hundred pounds and would take around half an hour to fit - if you were used to fitting them (a little longer for the Z13DT engine). This is a basic summary of the operation:


1) You will need to get underneath the vehicle to undo the clamp bolt on the linkage (a Torx bolt).
2) Remove the spring loaded roll pin from the gearbox end of the linkage. You must push the spring loaded clip fully in before the pin can be pushed out (a small screwdriver under the head of the pin is useful here).
3) There is a black plastic retainer holding the linkage on it's pivot (behind the engine). You will need to lever four lugs open to remove this clip and it can be awkward. You get a new in the kit so don't worry about breaking it.
4) Pull out the old linkage and place the new one onto the pivot. Line it up with the shaft from the gearstick so it can slide in and out and attach the other part of the linkage to the gearbox with the roll pin. Fit the new plastic retainer.


You are now ready to synchronise the linkage. Pull up the cover, or gaitor, from around the gearstick. Looking down, you will see a plastic guide, with a 5mm hole in, as you move the gearshift into the reverse position. Line up the hole in the guide with the one on the gearshift and lock them together with a punch or drill bit. Next, look at the gearbox itself and, on the top, you will see where the gear selector shaft comes out of the box. Close to this will be a small, plastic spring loaded button. Grab the selector shaft and turn it fully in the direction of reverse gear (imagine selecting reverse with the stick). Press the little button in and it should travel a fair way before locking the selector. If you're not sure, turn the selector the opposite way and you'll find the button won't go in as far. When the button has locked it in position, tighten the Torx bolt on the shaft underneath the vehicle. Remove the punch from the gearstick, pull up the reverse release catch on the stick and you should find it correctly synchronised.

It's not nearly as hard as it sounds.