Citroen Xsara Picasso - Xsara Picasso Gear Linkage

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Sat 25 Jun 2011 18:09
Citroen Xsara Picasso - Xsara Picasso Gear Linkage - BrianTheLion

I've been having a problem with the gear linkage on my 52 plate Xsara Picasso for just over a month now.

First of all I lost my gears whilst on a dual carriageway and most recently whilst changing up from 2nd to 3rd.

The gear linkage cable keeps popping out the ball joint. I have had to have 2 breakdown recoveries because of this.

I have recently had new gear linkage cables fitted just over a week ago and again today the cables popped out of the knuckle joint. Luckily enough I managed to fiddle about and get the nipple back into the holder.

Does anyone know of anything else to be checked because this issue is not only frustrating but dangerous too...

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Sat 25 Jun 2011 22:59
Citroen Xsara Picasso - Xsara Picasso Gear Linkage - BrianTheLion

Ive replaced the two linkage cables, 8 days ago, and only managed around 60 miles since and theyve failed again... Is there anything else the garage should have looked at when they replaced the cables?

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Sat 25 Jun 2011 21:25
Citroen Xsara Picasso - Xsara Picasso Gear Linkage - Peter.N.

Does the gearchange feel normal when its working OK or do you have to use a lot of force?

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Sat 25 Jun 2011 21:58
Citroen Xsara Picasso - Xsara Picasso Gear Linkage - BrianTheLion

This is the first time I've driven a car with this type of dash mounted gearing (with the exception of a Vauxhall Vivaro) and I've always thought it to be a bit light... Ive only owned the car for 2 months and only drove 400 miles in it so haven't had a lot of experience with it.

I just put the lightness (or floppiness) down to a cheap plastic feel...

does it make a difference if you need to use a lot of force? as I certainly have the total opposite of that...

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Sat 25 Jun 2011 22:08
Citroen Xsara Picasso - Xsara Picasso Gear Linkage - Railroad.

They're always doing this on these. Replace the links and the job is done. Once they fall off the first time they'll keep falling off because they're worn. French cars have had this problem for years. They've always had a vastly over-complicated gear linkage which is probably why they not only wear so much but also why the gearchange feels sloppy at the best of times.

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Sat 25 Jun 2011 22:59
Citroen Xsara Picasso - Xsara Picasso Gear Linkage - BrianTheLion

Ive replaced the two linkage cables, 8 days ago, and only managed around 60 miles since and theyve failed again... Is there anything else the garage should have looked at when they replaced the cables?

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Sun 26 Jun 2011 21:10
Citroen Xsara Picasso - Xsara Picasso Gear Linkage - BrianTheLion

Has anyone come across any aftermarket parts that are better constructed than the factory fitted joints?

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Sun 26 Feb 2012 11:04
Citroen Xsara Picasso - Xsara Picasso Gear Linkage - roeder1969

Does the gearchange feel normal when its working OK or do you have to use a lot of force?

hi mine has just started doing this its that stiff i cant change gear anymore

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