gear stick not centralising

[alank]

Hi, without me pulling the car apart, was wondering if anyone can tell me what forces the gear stick to return to its central position.
Mine struggles to return to centre from 5th , but seems ok from 2nd. Is it a spring ? I have had the boot up and greased where I can see on the gear stick mechanism, but it still is dodgy 5th to centre. Thanks for any help

[PaulQ]

Spring is inside the gearbox I think.

Lubricating the pivot points on the gearbox end might help.

[alank]

I have not checked yet, but an article I was reading suggested that the lateral movement of the gear stick did not use the cables in any way( possibly it does on a 5 speed , with the multi link contraption) , so the Spring Tension when pushing the stick far right or far left must be produced by an external force somewhere around the stick, ??. Will have to remove centre consol I think and have a closer look , any ideas, as I see  this problem seems to be not unusual and mentioned in other forums also.  Cheers

[PaulQ]

Try what I suggested above, or if that doesnt help, a new set of cables might sort it.

[edc]

@alank I've posted the above same content a few times over on your previous posts and also again when you popped up on my running report thread with the same issue. Do this first and see how it goes.

[Jason986S]

Mine would sometimes stick towards the left in the beau real position after coming out of reverse. After a bit of lubrication on the gearbox cable connections and some actual driving/use, it's 99% cured.

[alank]

Thanks for your suggestions. Wheel off at w/e and look at the cable end  ball joints. Assuming they just pop off with a little force. Perhaps new cables later.