shift linkage hits driveshaft

[e-dirtym52]

just in second gear and a tiny bit in reverse my driveshaft and my shift linkage rub up against each other. when i'm on the gas in second it won't rub but if i let off the gas while still in second they rub pretty hard.

what's causing this to happen and is there any fix for it? thanks guys

[Bmwdayz]

Well the shift carrier is held up by the transmission and at the other end by a small bracket with a bushing. I had a 318is with a worn out bushing and it let the short shifter sit lower rub a little on the drive shaft.

Also if your e30 has the harmonic balancer on the drive shaft and you install a short shifter it will rub like crazy. You will need to remove it if so.

[e-dirtym52]

where on the driveshaft is the harmonic balancer? i'm pretty sure it only has the flex disc and center support bearing unless that's the harmonic balancer. but it does have the z3 short shifter in it. but what's causing it to only hit when i let off the gas? it has new trans mounts

[Bmwdayz]

Google e30 drive shaft harmonic balancer. Thats easier than me uploading a pic here. You also didn't mention what year an model e30 you have. The harmonic balancer is usually on earlier model e30's.

[Jalves619]

I had the same issue using a ZF and all the stock e36 M3 linkage. I pulled it all in favor of an AKG setup but I'm pretty sure I had installed the new rear carrier 180 degrees off.

For the record I was running...
-Brand new poly engine and trans mounts
-Brand new Giubo/CSB/Balanced driveshaft
-New front and rear shifter carrier bushings

[berlow94]

Sounds like Engine/Tranny mounts!

[e-dirtym52]

my motor mounts are good. i have the akg trans mounts and my motor mounts are pretty solid. but it's a 91 so it doesn't have the harmonic balancer on the driveshaft

[e-dirtym52]

After looking under the car and more research I do have the balancer on the driveshaft right after the output flange. So it's directly connected to be driveshaft and not the transmission. Is there any gain/setback from deleting the balancer on the driveshaft?

[Lodsin]

After looking under the car and more research I do have the balancer on the driveshaft right after the output flange. So it's directly connected to be driveshaft and not the transmission. Is there any gain/setback from deleting the balancer on the driveshaft?

Gain, less weight. No setbacks with any hard evidence, toss it.

[ascendotuum]

Mines doing this also, except my car doesn't have the harmonic balancer. The car is going in for a clutch/flywheel replacement, so I'm having them install a UUC shifter assembly at the same time.

[Wh33lhop]

After looking under the car and more research I do have the balancer on the driveshaft right after the output flange. So it's directly connected to be driveshaft and not the transmission. Is there any gain/setback from deleting the balancer on the driveshaft?

Yeah there's a setback, you don't get that sweet grinding noise any more.