How much easier is it to install an SSK with the exhaust and driveline dropped?

[Joey Link]

How feasible is it to drop the rear of the tranny a bit to gain better access to the linkage?

[gerlando]

The Z3 shift lever can be replaced by touch, but there's no way you can replace the shift linkage without dropping everything. The hardest part of the whole project will be either getting the front shift linkage clip off (even with everything out of the way), or prying your old seals out.

[ldsbeaker]

^^ True that.
It sucked to do mine. AND I couldn't reach/get my hand in to get everything, so I'm going to have to go in there again anyways.

[Rocla]

A friend of mine put in my z3 1.9 ssk and changed a few clips in less than $10 mins w/o dropping anything.

He propably has small hands.

[MikesJo]

A friend of mine put in my z3 1.9 ssk and changed a few clips in less than $10 mins w/o dropping anything.

[Jand3rson]

Shitloads easier. While you're in there, replace every piece of hardware and every bushing. You will thank me later.

[backtrail69]

It is way easier with all that shit out of the way..I think it might actually be nearly necessary. with a stock exhaust and heat shields. Also get new driveshaft nuts and bolts if you can afford it. You will thank me when your DS bolts DONT fall out. I learned that the hard way with my 2002...

[Joey Link]

I'm getting all the parts together to replace my flex disk, rear transmission seals, CSB, and a couple other things. I wanted to refresh/replace my shift linkage but honestly can't afford to replace all the little things I should right now. Should I hold off on replacing the stuff until I can afford to refresh the shift stuff or is it not much more difficult with exhaust and driveline dropped?