87 325is Bitch Clip

[ROLLingKING]

so ive tried on 3 separate occasions to install my short shift kit and I cant reach the clip connected to the trans..I can see and feel it but it wont come up. Tried lowering the tranny and still couldnt get it to pry off.

I also tried spinning the circular white plastic thing that holds the ball of the shifter in place and that would not pop out either. Tried rotating the plastic piece and pulling on the shifter with my head out the sunroof and nothing would BUDGE..

If anyone knows how to get these off i would love to feel shorter shifts!

Thanks

[IxTech]

are you putting in a new linkage too? if not the only clip youd need to get at is the circlip on the shifter end of the linkage. as far as the white retainer...fuck that. i think i used flat head screw drivers to pry it out after i rotated it. but my tranny was out of the car. what shift kit did you get? this isnt the sheet metal style plate that goes in there is it? just straight up hole in the body right since its 87?

good luck!

[ROLLingKING]

http://www.fcpeuro.com/products/bmw-short-shift-kit-e30-e36-e30ssk

the kit honestly came with no directions. ive just started working on cars myself and getting all these parts without instructions is kinda annoying.

i was just planning on replacing what came in the kit. where some of those things go i dont know. hope to find out when its apart

[ROLLingKING]

and yes about the straight up hole into the body..the shift lever couldnt come out after trying with 2 different ppl on 2 different occasions

[GDA]

Use a long prybar going in from behind the tranny and up on the same plane as the shifter mount. This method has worked well for me on E36 and E34s in the past.

[jw 325ic]

get a floor jack and support the back of the trans. Unbolt the trans mounting nuts and let it hang back...lower the jack. If your exhaust is off and drive shaft out of the way, you should be able to set a long flat head screwdriver under the clip and smack the screwdriver with a hammer. that will pop it up. worked for me just a couple weeks ago. oh and make sure you've unbolted the back of the shifter arm from the tunnel (that bushing on the back of the linkage) and that you've unplugged the reverse light and pulled the dust boot out.

[TurboJake]

I always use a jewelers flathead screwdriver. Works great. tranny mount unbolting not necessary, but recommended.
Push it in and break the pin and clip loose (use 3lb maul if necessary, It's all I have). Lift up on screwdriver to lift clip.
Continue from there.

[Simon S]

It's been a while - but I remember finally getting mine off with a medium-sized flat head screwdriver.

Get the screwdriver up there - flat to transmission - with handle toward front of car. Then position screwdriver blade on the clip. Push screwdriver toward rear of car.

Not sure how you guys are getting room to swing hammers up there?

[ROLLingKING]

I just checked this thread again but i will be trying this saturday

thanks everyone for giving me some helpful advice. much appreciated!

[svn2002s]

Check this out

http://www.r3vlimited.com/board/showthread.php?t=143787&highlight=bitch+clip

works out great

[Simon S]

Check this out

http://www.r3vlimited.com/board/showthread.php?t=143787

works out great

Bingo. That's the motion there - and you can do it with a flat blade screwdriver positioned right - and pushed toward rear of car.

[jw 325ic]

Not sure how you guys are getting room to swing hammers up there?

you gotta drop the transmission mount and let the tranny hang. gives you a lot of room, not hard to do as long as you have a floor jack. that hook thing looks like it would do the trick even in the tight spaces...worth a shot.

[svn2002s]

There's no need of a hammer. I've taken two clips with the transmission bolted on. It's easy. Without that hook from Harbor Freight it's really a bitch clip.