not sure what it is...

[viali8]

I am not new to e30's but am new to e30's with a manual tranny. I bought this 89 325is and am having tranny problems. The car shifts fine into 1st, 2nd, 3rd, and 5th. When i shift it into 4th it makes a grinding noise...similar to the sound of when u would shift with out putting the clutch in. Any help would be appreciated. Thanks Matt

[Bimmerboy91]

shifter bushings? im thinking that it may feel like you shift into 4th but with worn shifter bushings your not making it in all the way in gear?

[jlevie]

With the noise only occurring in 4th gear, I'd suspect a bad syncro on that gear.

[DoriftuEvo]

If it is a bad syncro, you should be able to get it in gear without grinding if you rev match very carefully.

[viali8]

is the tranny from an 87 iS the same tranny as the 89 iS? What is this talk about sheet metal and aluminum? thanks

[E30_fiend]

Aluminum and sheet metal is referring to the shift carrier. Whee the shifter mounts so that it is in a solid place to change gears. In early model manual transmissions, they had a shift plate made of sheet metal. In later cars they had an aluminum shift carrier.

One isn't better than the other so don't worry about that. And yes the transmissions are the same from an 87 iS to an 89iS.


E30Fiend

[Motorsports]

My guess would be the a bad synchro

[viali8]

Aluminum and sheet metal is referring to the shift carrier. Whee the shifter mounts so that it is in a solid place to change gears. In early model manual transmissions, they had a shift plate made of sheet metal. In later cars they had an aluminum shift carrier.

One isn't better than the other so don't worry about that. And yes the transmissions are the same from an 87 iS to an 89iS.


E30Fiend

Thanks for the help. Where exactly is the shift carrier. My question is i have an 89 iS that needs a tranny...if i put a tranny in form an 87 iS would i be using the sheet metal or aluminum shift carrier? Sorry for the newb questions.

Matt