Intermittent stiff gear change

[Sausages21]

2007 focus CMAX with 1.8 engine and IB5 gearbox. Having an issue where, sometimes, the shift between 1st and 2nd is very stiff and quite "vague", in that it's difficult to find a gear. Sometimes however it shifts absolutely fine. It doesn't seem to be any different when the car is warm or cold, but I do think it's been slowly getting worse over the last few months.

Had a look at the connection between the gearbox and shift cables and can't see anything obviously wrong or loose there. Not sure what could be wearing out to be causing an intermittent problem. Any ideas where it might be worth looking at next?

[littleredrooster]

Difficulty changing gear is quite often because the clutch is not disengaging fully, so have a look at this as well.

Is it any better if you pump the pedal a few times?

[Krikkit]

With an IB5 box I'd look at this steel pivot on the front of the gearbox if you have one - it's under the plastic cover where the cables attach.




The large pin with the clip tends to gum up and cause excessively stiff changes, often starting with one pair of shifts and moving into others. Pop the covers off, disconnect the cables, then remove the pivot - it's a 12mm pin so cleans up nicely with a quick tickle of the appropriate drill bit.

Had this on my Fiesta, cleared it right up.

ETA: Good video of the shift action and where you're looking:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hDbjgkZAVqE

Edited by Krikkit on Friday 14th January 15:11