Gearstick question

[Peace_Power]

Hello,

I've got a weird problem with my gear-stick; When I engage reverse the stick hits the console. I figured the bushings were wore out so I got some delrin ones made and that fixed some of it. But it still hits and I don't think the leather gaiter will last very long like this. =/



How does the shifter work? Can I bend the arms somehow to change the angle of the gearstick?

Thanks!

[Peace_Power]

Is it a matter of bending the lower arm so that the end of the striker rod shifts to the left?

[mitchlikesbikes]

have you tried moving the center console a little first..?

also the stock e30 lever has a joint that allows it to move around a bit. make sure it's not bent in the wrong direction. and make sure your trans/engine mounts are good. bending your shifter is a bandaid to some other problem here. it shoudn't need to be bent at all for things to work properly.

[Peace_Power]

I've got brand new motor mounts (raised the engine like 1/4 inch), and the transmission mounts seem OK.

The car has absolutely no signs of an accident but standing underneath it it looks like the driveshaft doesn't line up with the transmission and engine perfectly. I can't imagine why.

I was thinking of bending this "arm" thing:

[mitchlikesbikes]

i'd reccomend that you stop messing with the shifter and figure out why things aren't lined up with your driveshaft. obviously something is wrong.

[Peace_Power]

I'm happy w/ a bandaid. If it indeed is crooked I won't be able to do anything about it anyway...

[Jaxx_]

Ensure that all the bushings and wear items are replaced before you bend anything. If everything is correct(including the yellow plastic washers in place) then I wouldn't hesitate bending the arm. I have seen many e30s rub the center console in reverse. not to mention that awful "nails on a chalkboard" sound of the rubbing. :-\

[AndrewBird]

If the shift lever has a bend in it, you may have it facing the wrong direction. It should not rub if everything is in good shape and installed correctly.

[Peace_Power]

Ensure that all the bushings and wear items are replaced before you bend anything. If everything is correct(including the yellow plastic washers in place) then I wouldn't hesitate bending the arm. I have seen many e30s rub the center console in reverse. not to mention that awful "nails on a chalkboard" sound of the rubbing. :-\

I got brave today and made a small adjustment to the lower control rod by twisting it by placing one end in the vice and putting a pipe for leverage over the other end. And now the gearstick doesn't rub anymore. (=

That "nails on a chalkboard" noise was horrible, but now it's gone. ^^