Shifter Slop with Steel Console

[taylor89]

I have an 86 325es with a substantial amount of shifter slop, such that it interferes with shifting correctly. I've done searches and found what parts I need to replace (I just got the kit from pelican). However, there is a piece on the transmission side of the shifter arm that connects the arm to the piece that actually goes into the transmission, and is held together with a pin (shown here.) Is there some trick to getting to this pin? There is no room to drive it out from either direction, as the steel console gets in the way. The aluminum seems like it would be a lot easier... I think I got the last month they made the steel one.

Any ideas? Haynes, Bentley and the internet either provide no help or solely talk about the aluminum console.

[86espowa]

yeah the trick is to put a jack under your tranny, and undo the tranny brackets, and let the trannt hang down, then get it from underneath.

[taylor89]

I was afraid of that. :-(

Does that require removing the driveshaft first?

[nefarious7907]

Just undo the bolts for the CSB