Triumph Repair: Gear shifter spins, hard to get in gear., transmission gearbox, pain in the arse

Question
The shifter lever on my 1975 Spitfire spins around at the base such that the shifter knob travels in a good 12-13 inch diameter semi-circle until it hits the dash on either side of the arc. It's just all free and wobbly like it's disconnected, but I can still get it into all the gears (including reverse). But in order to do so, I have to hold it very firmly so that it doesn't spin around. It's a real pain in the arse. Why would it still go into gear, but otherwise act like it's completely broken loose from the transmission gearbox?

I only purchased this vehicle about a week ago and the PO told me that he thinks there is some kind of pin that is broken or missing down where the gear shift lever meets the top cover extension.

Answer
Hi Kevin,
You need to remove the shift knob and the tunnel carpet. Then remove the 4 screws holding the trim around the shift lever and remove the cover and boot. Push down and rotate the metal cap to remove it and the shift lever will lift up and out off the shifter housing. Be care to catch the plunger and spring in the ball of the shift lever.
Then you can see the two pins one on either side that normally prevent the shift lever from rotating. And thus see if they are out or broken or what.
let me know
Howard