The gear shift lever should rotate freely in the ball joint without sticking. Otherwise, check and replace the ball joint sleeve if necessary.
To replace axle bushings and repair the ball joint of the gearshift lever on a car, you will need: 13 mm wrenches (two), a screwdriver, a snap ring puller or round-nose pliers.
1. Using a screwdriver, pry the gearshift lever cover off the flange of the floor tunnel cover opening and, turning it inside out, move the cover up the lever.
2. Loosen the gear shift lever axle nut, holding the axle from turning with a second wrench.
3. Remove the axle from the holes of the gear shift lever and gearbox control rod, remove the gear shift lever axle bushings and their plastic damping washers. Inspect the bushings and washers. If the bushings on the flanges that fit into the gearshift lever bore show signs of wear and the damping washers are badly worn or damaged, replace the bushings and washers.
4. Disconnect the reverse gear lock solenoid switch harness connector.
5. Squeezing with round-nose pliers (or a puller), remove the ball joint retaining ring...
6. ...and remove the gear shift lever from the ball joint.
7. Remove the plastic ball joint sleeve from the rubberized ball head of the gear shift lever (it is installed with a slight tension). If the support has play when installed on the gear shift lever head and is easily removed, replace the support.
Note: If there is damage to the rubber mass of the ball head of the gear shift lever, replace the gear shift lever on the Lada Kalina, since the rubber pad of the head is non-removable.
8. Assemble and install the gear shift lever on the vehicle in the reverse order of removal. Before installation, lubricate the ball joint cage and the damping washers of the gearshift lever axle bushings with Litol-24 or LSC-5 grease.
[Article based on information from the website www.LadaMan.ru]