Reply To: Is this gear ok?

To Norman, Larry is right.

A 2-3 mm lateral movement  of the 2nd/rev cluster  is WAY too much movement. In principle it should be  0.25mm of a millimeter. Changing into 2nd may be crunchy and that will be because of this movement. Noise may well be a give away also.  Stop now  get the box out and sorted.

It rather sounds as if the Celereon (aka Tufnol) thrust washer between the 2nd/Rev cluster and a substantial locking ring has  broken down. A quick way  to find out is to fumble about  through the drain plug. Anything that emerges of a semi plastic nature…..

……. brown in colour with a fabric kind of texture will be the celeron washer.   With  movement like that  something is going to break.

MdeL