Have you replaced your shift lever ?

[e30 Luv]

I'll write one up this weekend, I've been busy with work and moving

Thanks, good luck with the move.

[Jean]

yea...

I'll write one up this weekend, I've been busy with work and moving

[flawdaboi407]

yea...

[e30 Luv]

So, if you replaced your shift lever with a Z3/Z4 shift lever and you have an early car with the metal console as pictured above, speak up! I would rather not do this twice, and will provide a complete write up with pictures :D

Did you ever finish that write up? I'll be doing the same thing as you did, as soon as the parts are delivered.

[blazing]

That does the trick but the thinner the aluminum the more prone it will become to warping. Plus i don't have a metal file. My dad used to do that at the dealership but BMW realized their design flaw and the new piece is cast iron with a rubber seal. Its was like $17 for a new one from BMA.

If I had known there was an updated part I would have replaced that sumbitch,thanks for the info:)

[einstein57]

Used an e30m3 bushing inside the shifter selector rod, not sure if it made any difference, but it's a little stiffer/bigger in side than the stock bushing.

Also copper fuel injection washers work pretty well. I did not feel like looking for some so i just used rubber o rings. I'll probably get delrin bushings whenever i have to replace my clutch.

[einstein57]

I had the same problem with mine,I sanded mine until it was flat

That does the trick but the thinner the aluminum the more prone it will become to warping. Plus i don't have a metal file. My dad used to do that at the dealership but BMW realized their design flaw and the new piece is cast iron with a rubber seal. Its was like $17 for a new one from BMA.

[Jean]

All done. 100% all new everything that has to do with shifter. The tranny seal was good, no leaking there. Replaced guibo bolts/nuts at the same time too (guibo is new).

Ended up sanding one of the two lower ball cups, did not have to make the inner diameter bigger to make it slide on the shifter. Ended up cutting the upper ball cup with a blade instead of sanding the inside. After installing/removing/sanding, made it fit just tight enough where there is no play at all and the top circlip fit fine.

Used an e30m3 bushing inside the shifter selector rod, not sure if it made any difference, but it's a little stiffer/bigger in side than the stock bushing.

I'll post some pictures later. It's a little notchy, but it's just about perfect. Cut down on the shifter play dramatically.

[blazing]

Don't forget to replace your selector seal and this piece. Can't rememeber the name but if you have the aluminum unit its probably warped.

I had the same problem with mine,I sanded mine until it was flat

[KenC]

DONT PULL APART THE LEVER. File the inside of the upper cup.

[einstein57]

Don't forget to replace your selector seal and this piece. Can't rememeber the name but if you have the aluminum unit its probably warped.

[Jean]

The ball cup lower (25111207744) barely can fit over the lower section on the shift lever, but fits into the metal console. How am I supposed to fit the ball cup upper (23411466110) on the 1pc shift lever w/o destroying it ? The old lever is 2pc, so the top section comes off, then the ball cup upper is installed and the two shift lever sections are assembled together. The z3 1.9 shift lever is 1pc unless I take it apart???

Old lever and the upper (#4 ) / lower (# 10) ball cups - http://www.realoem.com/bmw/partgrp.d...02&hg=25&fg=05

[Jean]

Did you guys have to file the inside of the upper cup to make it bigger in order for it to slide on the shift lever or did you take the shift lever apart ?

Bump, doing this install tomorrow.

[Jean]

Thanks, I was asking more on the orientation of the xxx309 and the shift lever on the rod

[flawdaboi407]

1. take the shift knob off.
2. remove the shifter boot.
3. chock the tires, jack the car up and support on jack stands.
4. under the car above the drive shaft you will see the selector rod.
5. unclip the c-clip from the selector rod to shifter and to tranny.
6. take a 13mm wrench and use it to hold the top bolt on the console.
7. take a 13mm deep socket, and ratchet to remove each side.
8. now get a 13, 15, 17mm socket (not sure mine was 17mm my brothers was 15mm) to revome the rear bolt that holds the console.
9. once the two front and one rear bolt is removed you should be able to wiggle to out.

For those that just got a lever and nothing else, you have to undo the big c-clip that holds the lever in the console, then pull it out. To swap over the old stuff you need to carefully cut the plastic ring and metal ring. Then sand the edges a little so it doesnt bind on the new lever. Reinstall the lever and add a little grease.

Install is reverse of removal!