1st gear keeps popping out. NEED HELP

[Freude am Fahren]

Hey folks,

I own a 91 318i and every other time I put the car in first to get it rolling it moves like a couple feet and then you hear a loud bang and it pops out of first gear into neutral. The car has 90k miles on it. Is my tranny toasted? How hard is it to replace my tranny? any thoughts will help on this.

[freeride53]

Check the shift linkage, and or shifting bushings. We have the same car. ;)

[F34R]

The synchros sound like they are going. Try doing a tranny flush and look for metal in the fluid.

[LJ851]

It's either
1) worn linkage (easy to fix) or
2)bad engagement teeth (replace gearbox)


Start on 1.

.

[Freude am Fahren]

It's either
1) worn linkage (easy to fix) or
2)bad engagement teeth (replace gearbox)


Start on 1.

.

How do I go about checking my linkage? Is that easy? how do I fix it? Do i need to replace the tranny fluid? if yes, how?

[Freude am Fahren]

Check the shift linkage, and or shifting bushings. We have the same car. ;)

318's rock my world. :razz:

[LJ851]

Get under your car and look for lots of play in the linkage from the bottom of the shifter all the way to the back of the trans. Several bushings in between can fail and cause slop. An assistant at the shift lever shifting gears can highlight problem areas. Or someone that knows what the shifter is supposed to feel like can do it from the drivers seat with their eyes closed and one hand tied behind their back.

[yert315]

here's a rundown for dummies:

SHIFT LINKAGE:

-put car in gear
-jack car up
-crawl under car
-the shift linkage is above the driveshaft
-wiggle the linkage around and look for obviously worn bushings
-if there is a lot of play, replace your bushings

TRANNY FLUID:
similar to changing engine oil

-there is a drain plug on the bottom of the trans (near the back)
-have a catch can ready. drain the old fluid
-screw drain plug back in
-on the passenger side of the trans there is another screw (filler screw). remove it
-get a fluid pump with hose attachment (http://www.autozone.com/autozone/acc...er=940782_0_0_)
-pump your favorite gear oil in
-stop when you can feel the oil with your finger (poke your finger in the hole :giggle:)
-screw fill plug back in


Do these things first and report back

[Ryann]

The synchros sound like they are going.

No.

I say shift linkage or layshaft bearing issues.

[Stanley Rockefeller]

I say new clutch only after the linkage has been checked...worked for me after EVERYONE here said I needed a new tranny too.

[Ryann]

^He's having issues STAYING in gear, not getting into gear. Very different.

[LJ851]

No.

I say shift linkage or layshaft bearing issues.

^ yes + worn engagement teeth on syncos/sliders.

[talltorontoguy]

I had a similar problem in my e34. Swapped fluid with redline mtl and it went away instantly and permanently. Worth a shot.

[Ryann]

OP: does it feel more difficult to get into first than the other gears? Does the shifter feel vague or spongy when you try to select first?

[Freude am Fahren]

OP: does it feel more difficult to get into first than the other gears? Does the shifter feel vague or spongy when you try to select first?

yes it does sometimes. It feels as though it won't wanna go into first at times. Other gears are butter smooth. I have tried to force it to stay in first but it still pops out and makes a noise as if I were to take a screw driver and run it along the teeth of a cogwheel.