E30 Zone

This is a serious post, despite oh-so-easy inuendo

There seems to be loads of play in the shaft of my gearstick - is this normal?
Changes gear sweet but even when in gear i can move the stick about an inch or so side to side.

Normal 325ism or worn bits?

Cheers
Matt

if i remember correctly, you need to replace part 14 on the diagram, but i could be wrong!

http://www.realoem.com/bmw/showparts.do ... g=25&fg=05

I had this before and do now. There are some plastic bushes type thing that need replacing, it's cheap and pretty easy. The bits are main agents as far as i know m8. If i remember right, you do them inside the car.

I am sure it is no'6 or around that area, especially as you can move it around when it in gear.

this was covered quite regularly on the old zone, so someone will know. My money's on 14 and/or 11

had this on mine, and when i discussed it with adam he suggested parts 13 and 2,
engine isnt runnin at the mo but just sittin there it seems to make a diff

Matt, yours in actually very good compared to most E30's.

There are a few parts you can replace to tighten it up a bit but to be honest it's not really worth it with yours.

A good upgrade would be the Z3 shifter, have a look in the articles section and for under Ԛ£50 you can totally transform the feel of the gearshift and eliminate that sloppiness. The part that causes this is the selector rod bush, the part that attaches to the selector shaft of the gearbox. It's a prop off job but not too horendous.

On the diagram that datourer posted it's actually part number 13 that would need to be changed. There's a full parts list in the article if you want to tighten it up just don't get the Z3 shifter but it's a shame not to.

Thanks for the replys guys

So what your saying Adam, is if i get everything on this list



then i will ( after removing the prop ) have a tighter gear change and a short shift too?

IYO does it really need the gearshift rod joint changing?

I personally dont find it too bad - but i like things to be right

Matt

I have just changed the bit's in blue on my touring.The z3 shift is great and so easy to fit took me an hour'ish in total and no need to take the prop off.It has also lost most of the slack now to for Ԛ£35 a cheap and good mod

I changed everything on mine and the difference is amazing!

Well worth the hassle.

Giles.

TouringMatt wrote:Thanks for the replys guys

So what your saying Adam, is if i get everything on this list



then i will ( after removing the prop ) have a tighter gear change and a short shift too?

IYO does it really need the gearshift rod joint changing?

I personally dont find it too bad - but i like things to be right

Matt

That's right, if you get everything on the list your gearchange will be TIGHT and you'll have the added bonus of the short shift.

I would definately change the selector rod joint if you're going to do this job because that's where the play normally is. A lot of people have done the short shift without changing this joint and still found it to make a great improvement.

The prop isn't too bad to remove athough you have to remove the exhaust first. It's 3 bolts at the front and 4 at the rear for the prop and then another 2 holding the centre carrier in place.

Coolio

Thanks for the input everyone

Matt

The main wear will be the bush in part 13. This has been modified, and you will need part 10 to go with it.
Change the little oil seal behind 13 while things are apart.

When I changed all mine, No.13 already had No.19 in it... like a little sponge buffer thingy... so no need to get this.

G.