Tilted Getrag 260...

[cyrmanj]

Hi everyone:

I have an issue with my shifter (E30 325i, manual gearbox: Getrag 260), I noticed that it was very hard to use reverse, as if the gearbox was tilted or slanted towards the left of the car. So, I decided to check that issue and replace the transmission mounts.

I noticed on the old mounts that the left one was clearly crushed, while the right one was streched. So, clearly the gearbox is not where it supposed to be, its leaned towards the left of the car.

I checked the engine mounts to check if the engine was also tilted, but they are perfect, actually I replaced them like 3 months ago. Also, I uninstalled the muffler support that is attached to the gearbox thinking it might had something to do, but the gearbox still tilted.

So, I don't want to force the new mounts into the gearbox because that won't fix the problem. I request your kind help in order to get to the root cause of this issue. My initial thoughts are: subframe could be a little bit bent causing the gearbox missaligment, also I am not discarding that the whole engine is tilted.

A friend of mine who is a BMW specialized mechanic its going to check my car during the day.

How can I check this alignment issue? Any suggestions?

Later I'll post some pics of the old mounts. Right now I am considering inserting a washer on the right engine mount to try to balace the whole thing.

I'll keep you posted...

Thanks...

[cyrmanj]

Ok, I found something here: http://www.r3vlimited.com/board/show...d+transmission

However, I don't have the vibration described on that thread.

[jlevie]

A bent subframe is a possibility, but it sounds like you just need new transmission mounts. What I'd do would be to loosen the motor mounts and lift the engine slightly with an engine brace or hoist. support the transmission with a jack and replace the transmission mounts. then lower the engine back onto its mounts. That should realign everything. And while under the car, replace all of the bushings in the shifter and they are probably the cause of the difficulty in selecting reverse.

[cyrmanj]

^ Thank you:

That sounds like a consistent plan, I'll give it a shot. Currently I have a shifter bushings repair kit from pelican, I am just waiting for a short shifter to arrive, then I'll get to work on that on a couple of days.

Btw the transmission mounts that I tried to install today are new, OEM replacements.

Thx again...

[cyrmanj]

Pics of the old mounts:

[E30_Pare]

make some delrin mounts or somethin... just talkin out of my ass here.

[cyrmanj]

^ Due to the nature of the roads in Costa Rica I don't want to put more stress on the frame of my E30, I consider that I need the cushioning of some old rubber mounts. If I had a track-only E30 I'll consider it seriously, thx for the input.

Ok, so I have an update. :)

PO of my E30 replaced the gearbox. So, I checked the ETK and noticed that the cross member supporting the transimission is from an auto box! This is the one my E30 currently has, # 1 below, according to ETK belongs to an auto transmission:



And according to the ETK, the Getrag 260 needs this one, also # 1 below:



Therefore, the first thing I need is to get the correct cross member to support the mounts! Also my mechanic is going to check the brackets and position of the similiar transmission, comparing it to the one of an 86 325i that is in good shape.

That's it for now...

[jlevie]

The manual transmission cross member is secured to the body with four bolts, but the auto cross member is only secured with two bolts. It doesn't really look like the drawing in the ETK, but a check for the number of attach bolts should tell which you have. If it wasn't so late I'd go and get a picture of one of my spare cross members.

BTW: high mileage transmission mounts typically look rather like the pictures above (or worse).

[shiboujin]

maybe the cross member is in backwards?

[DJB]

maybe the cross member is in backwards?

My guess as well.

For some reason, the bracket looks as if it should be mounted that way. I've done it myself, but never tightened the fasteners.

He was lucky it was the mounts that twisted instead of the mounting slots breaking off of the transmission case.

[cyrmanj]

He was lucky it was the mounts that twisted instead of the mounting slots breaking off of the transmission case.

Indeed, because I have tracked this car and thx god haven't suffer badly because of that.

The manual transmission cross member is secured to the body with four bolts, but the auto cross member is only secured with two bolts.

Correct, that was the first thing I noticed, I guess the manual box deals with more torque and movement than the auto box.

Now that I am on it, I'll probably replace the guibo, install the bushings of the shifter and a short shifter. ;)

Thx for all the comments, I'll keep you posted and hopefully this thread might help someone else in the future.

[cyrmanj]

I have another option: my E30 has a Getrag 240 (from the E30 318i), I was comparing pics on the web of both transmissions: 240 and 260 and I think I have the wrong one on my car.

Also, I read on m42club.com that this is a possible swap, however both boxes have different angle of tilt, also different length driveshafts.

I'll upload a pic of whatever gearbox my car has and compare it.

What do you think? I am losing it, hehe, or what I am saying actually makes sense?

[shiboujin]

could be but someone would have had to go through a bunch of trouble to swap it in. Like twist your shift linkage and do a euro throw our bearing.

[cyrmanj]

^ Yeap, that sounds just right.

Ok, update...

This is a G260 from an E30 325i:



This is a G240 from an E30 318i. check the red circle, an "anchor point"



Now, this is what my E30 has, looks like a G240, notice the same "anchor point" close to the Getrag, which is something the G260 lacks. Sorry for the crapy pics.



Other pics:





So, I found out the correct # that a G260 for 325i must have (since there are various G260's): 260.0.1346.90, source: http://www.r3vlimited.com/board/showthread.php?t=109919

Is the G240 shorter than the G260? Should be since its from a 4 cilinder bimmer. What about the flywheels, heavier the one from the G240 or not? In your opinion what would be the more "sport" oriented box?

Thx...

[shiboujin]

euro 320s came with 240s. it has a shorter first and second gear to make up for the lack of hp.

I think the drive shaft is the same. I don't remember. You can get euro 320i engine mounts that will tilt your motor enough to sit right on your cross member. That would probably be the easiest fix for you. Or I guess an M42 cross brace?