1984 318i transmission worries

[Triiodide]

So.. there's a few things that i would like some clarification about.
First: the transmission rattles in neutral with the clutch out which what i have been told is the input shaft bearing which is supposedly okay to be rattling as long as its not too bad? its really noticeable when its cold but when its warm and not at too low of an rpm its not so bad

Second: in third gear anywhere above about 2500 rpm it has a subtle rattle, my shifter has TONS of play in it and if i move it around in gear while driving it will make it either worse or in some spots completely go away? any thoughts on what causes this?

Third: (what scares me the most) when i'm in second gear under hard acceleration between 5-6k it makes a very loud rattle, and gets worse the higher rpm it is, i never rev it past 5500 in second anymore.

all of these things have happened since i have had the car (about 6 months) but the 2nd gear rattle seems to have gotten worse, but it could just be my imagination since i have moved and am now away from my neighbor who has owned a BMW shop for the last 30 years and knows bmw's better than i know myself

[E30_Pare]

Looks like u just need a new shift carriage & bushings. Probably lost a few bolts here & there. I advise that u shouldn't force the gears in if it starts to get tough. Get your car up in the air/stands & do some inspection

[Triiodide]

i have looked at it from under the car and there is nothing visably wrong with it, and it drops into every gear extremely easily like you can barely feel it shifting normally and never grinds, never falls out of gear either, but yeah i really need new bushings.. i dont really know how to do that but could that cause the rattle in 2nd at high revs and 3rd? it will always do it in second at high rpm even if i move the shifter, odometer says 226k but it doesn't work and i know there's quite a bit more

[E30_Pare]

I feel like Your motor/trans mounts r worn also. Might be causing vibrations. Couldn't really tell without taking a look at it. I doubt it's internal. Couldn't hurt to check the trans fluids though.

[Jaxx_]

sounds like worn bushings, replacing the T part that is near the transmission helped a lot for me.

Also, look into failing pilot bearing symptoms. I've seen whines under hard acceleration from failed pilot bearings, since the input shaft can go out of spec from the torque. Does it happen in 3rd? Ever had it up that high?

[E30_Pare]

I had a bad bearing before. Made a lot of mustangs race me cause of supercharger like whine LOL! I dont think that's the issue here OP gets some kind of vibration in his shifter. Odd issue imo.

A little off topic, but do u think replacing the "T" part would solve my left/right slop? I barely have front/back slop but tons of L/R

[Jaxx_]

yes. very much so.

[Hey_You]

The shifter isn't "in" the transmission, so any loose/worn linkage parts can cause vibration on it. Also, if you mounts (trans/engine) are worn along with the linkage parts, your driveshaft guibo can rub on your shift linkage

[Triiodide]

well sorry i haven't posted today, but in third no it does not do it, but it rattles really hard in second, it was raining here today and i had quite a bit of fun :) next time i'm at my friends shop and have it in the air i'll look at everything, i checked the fluid last time because of this and it was not low, i changed it when i first got the car.. it makes no whining noises at all, just a rattle

[Triiodide]

when i mean not in third i mean it doesnt rattle hard at high rpm

[Triiodide]

good news! i think?, so since everyone has said it is linkage or mounts, i was moving my shifter around and stuff and realized i can push down and pull up and it will move a bit. so i was in 3rd and pulled up on the shifter and it went away, so i figured why not try it in second, and it helped a little but then i pulled up and it lessened it, then to the bottom left also and it stopped rattling! that's a relief.. so now i know its in the linkage somewhere and not to do with motor/tranny mounts or internal.. so would replacing the little T piece fix this? is being able to pull the shifter up like 1/4 to 1/2" normal if that is worn out?

[Hey_You]

Buy a shifter rebuild kit from Blunt, Pelican, or any other online company. There are multiple pieces that wear out and this kit will contain most, if not all of them.