1998 V40 Gear selection - Manual Transmission M5P

My first attempt at posting a message failed - at least I can't trace it!

Had difficulty in selecting fifth. Renewed bushes at both ends of the SELECTOR ROD - All gears selectable but tendency to get REVERSE when selecting FIRST (Inhibitor Mechanism seems to be working O.K.).

SELECTOR ROD length seems to be correct.

Gear Stick very floppy and there is no feeling of a 'GATE' (Housing bushes seem O.K.) Rubbery bushes at front and rear of stick seem soggy, but transverse nylon one seems O.K.

Neither the 'Quadrant' at the front of the gear stick housing, nor the metal 'leaf-like' projections from the lever which engage with it, seem to perform any function.

Haynes says that in making Selector Rod adjustment, it should be "in first gear and the lever should be resting against the end stop at the top right of the gear lever housing" - I cannot identify any 'end stop.'

Help would be appreciated.

If 4 forty who responded to might3 on 4 OCT 04 (topic #2554) is still out there, can he kindly direct me to the 'Archive' he refers to?

Thanks, ECCLES