Sloppy feeling shift lever

[Jand3rson]

So I've noticed the last few times I've driven my car that the shift lever feels really sloppy. I've got a bigger knob on it than I used to, it's a Z3 1.9 lever mated to a G260 with the late-model shift carrier (with a 24V swap, if that matters).

When going to the late-model carrier, I ordered the cup that the ball of the shift lever sits in new, but not much else. I can order new little bushings for everything, but this lever has also been in this car since before I bought it (I bought in '05). Is it possible that maybe the ball and/or the bushing sleeve at the bottom have gotten a bit worn, and maybe it's time for a new lever? Any suggestions?

[Jean]

Why didn't you replace ALL of those little/cheap parts when you did the swap? They pretty much all wear out and add to the slop.

The ball, the selector rod bushing/mount, the rear mount, the front rubber mount...all of these.

[Jand3rson]

I should elaborate. I replaced the rubber one at the front with the Delrin bushing from AKG, and the one at the back with a brand new OEM. The white plastic cup in the shift carrier is new, as well.

The only thing that wasn't replaced new were the little tiny yellow plastic bushings that go in-between the bitch clips and the ends of the bottom of the lever itself. And I honestly don't recall if I replaced the bushings at the front of the selector rod, at the trans. Those may have slipped my mind.

[Jean]

Ahh, thats better. The plastic washers, did you not put any in there or just re-used the old ones? You probably noticed if there is play there, then when you move the shifter side to side it can slide over the selector rod...so basically every part affects it in one way or another.

The whole design of the shifter mechanism is garbage....even with ALL new OEM parts and I mean ALL there will still be some play.

If you want to get rid of it all you'll have to upgrade to aftermarket to something like this- http://www.tcmotorsports-store.net/a...d-bmw-e30.html

[Jand3rson]

Nah, it's not worth $125 to me... LOL

I probably just need to replace all of those little washers with new ones. I think I did re-use a lot of them, it was one of those things I just didn't think about, in the frenzy of wrapping things up. At least they're cheap enough.

[Jean]

Yep... I ordered every single shifter component new, included the rod, the shifter, the console an all the little things and it's still not perfect. So, just saying if you want it all gone it won't be :)

[Jand3rson]

Shit, all I need are the dimensions for that AKG part, and Andrew and I could bang that out in an afternoon for a fraction of that.

[MR 325]

You need to replace the selector rod joint on the transmission. I don't know why EVERYONE overlooks this, it's a major cause of shifter slop.

[Jand3rson]

You need to replace the selector rod joint on the transmission. I don't know why EVERYONE overlooks this, it's a major cause of shifter slop.

Is that hard to change while the tranny is up in the car?

[slammin.e28]

You need to replace the selector rod joint on the transmission. I don't know why EVERYONE overlooks this, it's a major cause of shifter slop.

It's that little guy with the spongey yellow thing inside it right?

Looks like a PITA to change while trans is in car.

Numero 13 and forward. (IIRC, #13 comes with everything in there...well at least that's how World Pac sells 'em.)

[Jean]

Yep its a must. Goes for about 30 and it comes with that small.bushing inside. E30 m3 bushing is said to.be stiffer and fits as well

[Jand3rson]

So, how hard is it to change that out while the tranny is installed? According to the Bentley, for even removing the selector rod from the selector shaft, they show you removing that whole bushing, not just the end of the rod from the bushing itselt. Looks like there's a bushing lockring and a pin you drive out, which it says can be done from below if the transmission is installed. It also says the material inside of the shift rod bushing is felt? Seriously, BMW? FELT?

I swapped the firewall coolant hoses on my 24V with the intake manifold installed. I'm pretty sure I can get my hands in ANYWHERE now.

[MR 325]

It can definitely be done in the car, but it's a PITA. Drop the trans brace down to the trans can hang as low as possible. You may need to pull the shifter stuff out so it's out of your way.

[Jean]

Yep...lower the tranny down and it can be done.

[jlevie]

So, how hard is it to change that out while the tranny is installed? According to the Bentley, for even removing the selector rod from the selector shaft, they show you removing that whole bushing, not just the end of the rod from the bushing itselt. Looks like there's a bushing lockring and a pin you drive out, which it says can be done from below if the transmission is installed. It also says the material inside of the shift rod bushing is felt? Seriously, BMW? FELT?

It isn't difficult to change out the selector rod joint with the transmission in the car. Disconnect the shift link from the joint, slide the retaining ring back to expose the pin, and use a short bolt from the top to push the pin down.

The felt, or foam, in the rod joint is just there to prevent the joint from vibrating.