Ever since i got the car...the gearstick has been really stiff.

It shifts perfectly but just requires a bit of effort....any ideas on what the problem is...

If you check back through the posts you may find one froma while back - think it could just be new rubbers needed - check with Smotter I think

Hi Maz - One thing you can check quickly - nylon bushes in the gear shift linkages - jack up your car and give them a wiggle - if you see ANY play on the bushes, they need replacing - I had the problem at aroun 160,000 kms (about 100,000 miles). See http://www.maz323f.co.uk/forum/viewtopic.php4?t=1248 for details ...

How long did it take you to change and how easy is it...Do you have to realign anything afterwards....im a crap mechanic.. ...Any special tools??

Where did you get that diagram from in that other post??

Sos for the questions...wanna be sure its an easy job...

Hi - I got the diagram from my Haynes "Mazda 323/Protege" (American Version) manual - covers most things for mt '96 1.8 16v.

It took literally about 10 minutes to do - I needed two spanners (12mm, I think, or maybe 13 or 14). It took longer to jack the car up and settle her on axle stands than to change the bushes !

No alignment is required - everything will only go in one place.

Just check that the bushes are loose first before you buy replacements; there are various other things that can also cause stiff gears ...

A friend informed me that my reversing light was not working so off i went to get a new bulb. new bulb fitted and reverse light still not working. So now i'm thinking reverse light switch problems, maybe just a dodgy connection but can you tell me where it is?

Is it where i think, next to the gear lever under the central housing for the gear lever and handbrake? This would make sense as the cig lighter ain't working either and i think that was caused by disconnection when who ever it was fitted the stereo.

Or, is it under the car?

Or, even plugged into the gearbox itself?
Smotter,