Z3 1.9 Shifter Scrapes Driver's Side of Console in Reverse

[Cloudbase]

Guys I only have a few days off a week to work on my E30 and I've spent the past 2 weeks replacing my shift bushings, output shaft seal, shift selector seal, driveshaft guide bushing, drive shaft U joints and CSB.

I also installed a Z3 1.9 shifter with my shift bushing rebuild kit. When I disassembled my shifter my old shift selector knuckle had the longer end facing towards the passenger side of the car. This doesn't seem right. When I put it all back together when I shift in reverse it scrapes the driver's side of my console. I feel like turning the shift selector knuckle 180 degrees so the long side is facing the driver's side might fix this.

Which side is the longer end of the older style shift selector knuckle supposed to face? The REal OEM diagram doesn't show a clear picture. The Pelican Parts DIY shows it facing the passenger side, but the shift selector rod is also on the passenger side (which is incorrect for an E30).

Alas my new bitch clip is stuck. The harbor freight radiator hose pick isn't working. I've been picking at it for over an hour. It's time to walk away. HELPPPPPPPP?????? I fucking hate my E30, it never, never goes smoothly.

[Cloudbase]

Forget the selector knuckle question. I dremeled the bitch clip off and reversed it. It made no difference. I'm going to use the late model selector knuckle with some spaces on the selector rod.

It still hits. Is this just something you have to live with with a Z3 1.9 shifter? I thought the whole advantage of the 1.9 shifter was you didn't have to bend it.

[DaveSmed]

I put the selector rod in a vice, grabbed the top part with a wrench and gave it a very slight twist.

Worked well.

[erik325i]

I've never had an issue with the 1.9 lever. You definately shouldn't have to bend anything. Sorry, can't answer your question about the knuckle though.

[Cloudbase]

So when I use the late style knuckle it doesn't hit the console in reverse anymore, but now that I have it all back together my shift selector rod is hitting my harmonic balancer in second gear. WTF? I thought the great thing about the 1.9 was you don't have to bend the rod. Did you guys have this problem?

[Cloudbase]

So reading up, I guess I have to bend the rod. Somehow I mistook that when I researched it the first time. It's notched on the bottom for the harmonic balancer, but it's kissing it in second and my shifting is overall much rougher than it was with the driveshaft unbolted so I'm going to have to bend it right where it's notched.

This sucks, I only have Thursdays off this month. Now I'm going to have to wait a week to pick up a vice to bend the selector rod. I could probably do it without the vice, but I'm tired and disgusted. ARGH!!!!!!!!!

[Cloudbase]

Was supposed to go home to visit the folks today, put off my trip and got it done. I bend the shifter well clear of the harmonic balancer and rigged up some spacers and safety wire on the late model shifter knuckle. The bushing was so much thicker and tighter on the later model knuckle. Pic to come soon.

[Cloudbase]

Well I pushed my trip home to a later flight and got it all back together. I picked up a vice and used 3 sockets to bend the rod. It worked like a champ. It shifts great. I have to say I really like the 1.9 shifter feel. It's almost better than my M Coupe which is slightly more notchy than I like.

Yesterday was one of those days where every solution I tried didn't work. Turns out I just misunderstood the procedure. Thanks for the help.