E30 Zone

Since getting the car i have noticed the gearbox become increasingly notchy. Car went in for all fluids to be changed (inc gearbox/clutch) which helped alot but the notchyness is coming back. 1st - 2nd gear is the worse but now the rest are getting a little bit vague They will still engage fine but it doesnt feel right. Have also noticed when the clutch is engaged (pedal out) there is a knocking/shunting noise under the car when sat at idle in neutral. These noises go away when the clutch pedal is pressed in. I have had a quick play with the gearshift and have noticed that the clutch pedal is far from precise, i can shift into any gear with the clutch pedal being pressed down ever so slightly with a full leg length to go!

Am i right in guessing the clutch or gear linkage?

I sure hope its not the box

Thanks

the noise could be the thrust bearing, also has the notchiness and reduced effort been like it is for long or has it come to light recently and got quickly worse?

Sounds like thrust bearing aka release bearing - gearbox off for this to be changed unfortunatly but, in turns opens the opportunity to fit a new clutch set as well

Just done all this for Bazza and the final result is a dirty great grin from ear to ear.

Neil.

Not meaning to butt in but! my 320 also suffers for same sort of problem only difference is you can feel the pedal pulsing under foot and push clutch pedal all the way down and you hear a loud knocking noise half way down no noise, can the stroke of pedal to release arm be altered seems like its moving to far

Ok cheers guys, i have it booked in at the garage on wed so i'll see what they have to say. Worse comes to worse i'll have to get another gearbox to shove in. Where is the best place to get a reconditioned unit? Thanks

Shaprid, does your gearbox seem to stop half way through the gear shifts before engaging each gear properly? Only pauses for a second before it falls into gear. This is what i meant by notchy. It still drives fine but its bloody annoying Feels like the gearshift will need to be forced in gear but suddenly a moment later it falls in with the same pressure applied. No problem with grinding etc but it defeats the purpose of having a close ratio sports gearbox as the shifts are by no means quick.

Thanks

my gearbox did somthing like yours , i spoke to a local gearbox specialist who told me to put automatic transmision fluid in the box . i did this and i have had no problems since . i think some later bmw manual boxes run atf anyway . maybe worth a go

Cheers, i'll keep that in mind fella. Hopefully a new clutch kit/thrust bearing or gear linkage will sort the problem out but i'll see what the garage says on wed. Cheers

[quote] i spoke to a local gearbox specialist who told me to put automatic transmision fluid in the box . i did this and i have had no problems since .

And the dealers used to do this aswell

what just add automatic fluid straight in, or do you need to drsain existing fluid first?

dogcoat wrote:what just add automatic fluid straight in, or do you need to drsain existing fluid first?

You will need to drain the old oil out 1st

bmwsport wrote:Shaprid, does your gearbox seem to stop half way through the gear shifts before engaging each gear properly? Only pauses for a second before it falls into gear. This is what i meant by notchy. It still drives fine but its bloody annoying Feels like the gearshift will need to be forced in gear but suddenly a moment later it falls in with the same pressure applied. No problem with grinding etc but it defeats the purpose of having a close ratio sports gearbox as the shifts are by no means quick.

Thanks

Yes just like that in first and second thought it was gearstick linkage at first does feel like spoon in porridge

Quite possibly the same problem. 1st and 2nd gear shifting is a nightmare and the shifter does feel like a spoon in porridge Another recent topic suggests that a new shifter and bushings could be the cure for sloppy shifting movement. He also mentioned 1st - 2nd gear shifting problems.

Would like to get to the bottom of this one!