• “My 06 maxus was the same and jumped out of 5th, the detent spring kit completely fixed it. The change is heavier now but more precise.” David Lewis, 2023.
• “You can get a spring set. Sorted my box out” Gareth Norwood, June 2023.
• “Very fast delivery, and gearbox feels 20 times better thank you”  R Ridley, July 2023.

LDV Maxus 5-speed manual gearbox detent-spring location & installation 

Background:   There are three detent springs in the gearbox, one is to help locate 1^st & 2^nd; one for 3^rd & 4^th; one for 5^th & Reverse. The springs become worn over time and cause poor location of the gear-change shafts inside the gearbox.   Typical symptoms are: difficulty engaging only some gears; random popping out of 5^th gear.

The 5^th gear seems more prone to wear and a new slightly longer bolt to replace the 5^th/reverse spring-hole bolt is included – this will take up some wear in its selector shaft and must be fitted with the supplied fibre washer.   Check that 5^th gear can be engaged after fitting the new bolt – if not, you’ll need to use the original bolt instead.   The new bolt will need a 17mm spanner to fit it; use it in the top hole, which is out of sight when you are under the van.

All three springs need replacing with new ones to improve the symptoms.   The repair procedure is simple and needs only one 14mm spanner or socket to remove the springs, plus a 17mm to fit the new bolt.    They are on the rear left (passenger) side of the gearbox, near the wheel-arch (see photos); they are tricky to see but can be felt easily – they are one-above the other but not evenly-spaced.

Instructions:

Drive your Maxus onto a large wooden block or onto the kerb on the passenger side to make more room for you underneath.   Undo each bolt shown above; fish out each spring sitting underneath with a bent pin or small woodscrew.   The three new springs are identical and cannot get mixed up.  Insert one new spring in place of each old spring.  The new springs will be longer than the old ones.

Press each bolt firmly into its threaded hole against the spring so that the threads can be engaged (if using a socket, a small nut or two inside the socket may help to push the bolt when re-engaging the threads); ensure that the fibre-washer is still in place on each bolt.   The larger (new) bolt goes in the top hole to help location of 5^th gear (use 17mm spanner). Tighten each bolt firmly.

Gear-change will feel a little different with the new springs in place; make sure 5^th & reverse can be engaged after fitting the larger bolt; if not then the original bolt must be used instead.

A low oil level can also cause gearbox problems, as can maladjusted gear-change cables or a faulty clutch system.   These need checking before the new springs can be sure to offer improvement.