hi,guys looking for a bit of help. i recently bought a 2001 focus tddi. when pulling away from a junction, i could only get 1st & 3rd gears .after a few hundred yards i lost 3rd. sometimes i can get reverse.but with grinding sounds. i have asked a guy who owns a focus & he says , its the gear selector cables ? a common problem . any thoughts ? thanks for any help. steve. AN UPDATE. had the car to a garage today( tues) and they say IT IS the gear selector cables. but wont say anything else ( as they want to fix it ) how do the cables come off at the gear box end ? thanks for any advice. regards, steve.