Whats the trick to making these shifters not feel like shit?

[Vincent Brick]

I just spent 12 hours rebuilding the shifter in my '91 325 (new cup bushing, delrin bushings and the yellow plastic spacers), and it feels every bit as shitty as it did before I got this sore and dirty. Seriously, what is up with these things? Every time I put it in reverse the shifter slams against the console, this thing has more play in gear than my Neon had total movement between 1st and 5th with just a $100 short shifter and bushings, its REALLY bad. I know BMW shifters usually feel like ass, but I've felt a couple that were decent, what's the secret? Do the DSSRs help that much? Been trying to read up as much as I can and I really thought this was going to help.

Sorry to come off as frustrated, not exactly happy with how much work this car has ended up needing.

[Andy.B]

If it is that bad with all new wear items in the linkage, the problem may be in the transmission itself.

I just rebuilt my gf's linkage, and while it isn't as crisp as my miata's, it isn't sloppy either.

[Vincent Brick]

My roommate says its the piece that comes out of the trans, and/or the pin that holds it on, not sure the name of it. He says he knows how to swap it with the trans in (how I have no clue, no clearance up there), I guess he's gonna do it for me this week when he does my output shaft seal, sucks though I just wasted an entire day on it, didn't see anything about that in the stuff I read leading up to this.

[dirtbag30]

did you replace the selector rod joint? this will eliminate alot of slop. there is a foam padded thing in there that will deteriorate and cause alot of play in the shifter.

[ak-]

This guy is probably right.

My tunnel mount AKG shifter felt like dicks until I replaced this rose joint.

did you replace the selector rod joint? this will eliminate alot of slop. there is a foam padded thing in there that will deteriorate and cause alot of play in the shifter.

[Vincent Brick]

Yup, that is exactly the part my roommate sent me a pic of. None of the articles I found online about improving shifter feel mentioned it.

I had a feeling this was going to happen when, after 9 hours of fucking with it, I finally got the shifter assembly out and noticed the bushings actually looked pretty good.

[dirtbag30]

well updating the other bushings is going to help refresh everything too. and the selector joint is the finally touch to it all.

-remove selector rod from the joint

-pry the metal band from around the joint and remove it.

-push the pin through (youll see it)

-and remove old joint

-install is reverse. super easy shouldn't take too long.

the hardest part is removing the exhaust and drive shaft to get to it.

[Bearmw]

Not to worry. Next time it wil take 6 hours max. But seriously the shifting assembly is only as good as its weakest link.

[Vincent Brick]

Do you guys typically remove the exhaust and driveshaft when you work on the shifter? Even if you are working on the ground? I didn't feel like fighting with them so I left them in the way.

Looks like I'm doing guibo and output shaft/selector rod shaft seals Wed, on a lift even, so I'll add it to the list and get the parts coming in. Thanks a bunch guys.

[kronus]

I typically leave them in place. There's enough room to do everything you need if you can navigate by feel.

[MR 325]

did you replace the selector rod joint? this will eliminate alot of slop. there is a foam padded thing in there that will deteriorate and cause alot of play in the shifter.

Good call. Most people don't replace this. It makes a BIG difference!

[Bearmw]

I have found it helpful to support the driveshaft with some wire near the csb and then remove the two csb bolts (after heat shield removal of course). Then I will remove the two nuts that secure the transmission support piece. This allows the trans tail section to be tilted down an inch or so further away from the trans tunnel. The driveshaft stays connected and it gives a bit more room. Removing the driveshaft isn't much more work at this point though.

[I got it, yes!!]

With your shifter going that far forward, and the lever being changed out, did you put it in backward? My neighbor has a swap done, and the installer installed the lever backwards. First, third, and fifth gear were way forward. Just a thought.