Access to Lt77 Gear mech in a Discovery

[white90]

This is how to gain access to the gearstick mechanism on an LT77 gearbox - fitted to a 200TDi Disco.

Clear all the accumulated rubbish out of the centre console/cubby box

Transfer lever first - lever the bottom of the gaiter out of the console, then unscrew the knob.

Gearstick next - lever the gaiter out of the console to expose a 13mm bolt. Remove the bolt and the gearstick will come off, leaving an angled stub.

Window switch panel next, lever it out of the console, make a note of the connections, then unplug it all.

Remove the rubber mat, and the console fixing screws will be visible.

The handbrake lever has to be raised beyaond what's normal, so release it, remove the clip and pin, then raise it to almost a vertical position. Don't pull it up too far or the rod inside will bend/ratchet pawl will flip over.

The console will then slide backwards and up to clear the handbrake lever.

Foam padding next (it's usually trashed). Remove it to expose the transmission tunnel gasket.

There are usually 13 x 4.5mm blind rivets, which have to be drilled out and then replaced afterwards.

The gearchange mechanism is covered by an alluminium cover - 2 x Phillips captive screws - undo them progressively as they lift the cover as you undo them. The cover can then be removed with a small amount of effort - due to the passenger side edge of the transmission tunnel.

The gearsick mechanism can now be seen. 2 springs to centre the stick - note that a thinner one is on the passenger side.

Undo first the 2 x 13mm head bolts that retain the springs. As you do so, they will flick outwards.

Undo the other two bolts, remove the springs, then rotate the lower plate 90-degrees clockwise and lift it off the gearstick stub.

The problem on this occasion - the plate has fractured.

After repairing the plate, put it back on, tighten the two bolts that don't secure the springs. Put the smaller spring on first, tighten the bolt a few turns only so that the spring can move up the locating rod, then bend the spring against it's own tension until it presses against the gearstick stub.

Once the spring is in place, tighten the bolt. The drivers one next, which is thicker and harder to fit, so some leverage with a screwdriver might be needed.

Refit the cover - making sure that the rubber seal is located correctly.

That's it - bung it back together and start on the next problem.

Les.