video:
My new-to-me Sovereign 3.2 manual has a huge amount of play in the gear lever. Opening it up (couldn't quite figure out how the gaiter and boot come off) I can see that the bottom of the 'gear change housing' is missing the screws and bushings on both sides. Is that enough to cause this amount of slop? The 'spherical bearing' looks pretty destroyed too, should I change that? Thanks.

diagram: https://parts.jaguarlandroverclassic.../brand/jaguar/

 

they all have a bit of flop in them but yours looks pretty worn out

the spherical bearing is a BMW part …has a few numbers (but this one should give you a good starting place 25111469397)

it’s easily obtainable from a BMW dealer or even on eBay etc. people will even 3D print one for you

the rubber bushings (parts 8 and 9 in the diagram you posted) are likely degraded … I replaced mine with polyurethane ones (I still have some play…maybe a harder material would stiffen it up more but will likely create more vibrations)

I purchased for mine from here:

https://www.mugglestoneengineering.co.uk/shop/p/jaguar-xjs-xj40-x300-getrag-manual-gear-selector-bush-kit-frc7418j-and-ukc1090

anyway thats been my experience

 

Thanks for your comment. How do I remove the spherical bearing? It only turns a very small amount in either direction. Do I need to take the lever off first? I can't reach the bolt with the selector plate in the way.

 

The spherical bearing has tabs at the side…you press them up simultaneously (two flat head screwdrivers would work) and then pop it out

You will have to disconnect the selector lever from the transmission in order to replace the spherical bearing…there is no way to insert or remove it from the top of the selector lever; only from the bottom

The selector plate is only screwed is so it is easy to remove…the bolt that connects the lever to the transmission is probably easier to reach from
beneath the car. But can be done from the top with some effort … I would try from the top first …


You’ll have to remove the bracket that holds the selector lever from the transmission to replace the bushings anyway

…I can’t recall the way I did it but I do remember that I didn’t have the exhaust in the way because I was replacing it too, so I had a lot more options and the engine was slightly tilted downwards because I had removed the transmission mount to access the exhaust …