Gear Selector Linkage

[StuBeeDoo]

About a year ago, I replaced all the wearing parts on the linkage, from the gearbox selector shaft right back to the lever (I fitted a Z3 one).
Now there is play in the front end again, and I suspect the o-rings have broken up.
Any tips for stopping this happening regularly please?
TIA
Stuart.

[E30Mark]

Any tips for stopping this happening regularly please?

Buy an auto!

Sorry i couldn't help myself

[mrLEE30]

maybe you got a dodgy shift bushing, or you are heavy handed with you shifting!! replace the bushing at the shift rod/transamission selector interface.

Did you change the two bearings on the shift lever?? if not maybe you should!!

mrlee

[Spankie]

Hi I'm very doubtful you would wear all new components out in the space of a year!
Suggest you check a circlip has not come off before all falls apart OR check that as I found in the middle of renewing my gear shift for a Z3 one that the alloy selector rod the gear stick sits in has cracked.
Cheers
Spankie

[ric325i]

i bet the z3 shifter puts extra strain on some of the clips/bearings and if you hammer it like i do then suspect it could cause a problem?

get some metal washers in there and scrap the soft plastic things maybe?

[StuBeeDoo]

or you are heavy handed with you shifting!!

No I'm not!

replace the bushing at the shift rod/transamission selector interface.

Done that. As above, I replaced everything.....

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

..... items 6, 8, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18

Did you change the two bearings on the shift lever?? if not maybe you should!!

2 bearings?? I did the one the lever sits in. Do you mean item 2 as well?
I've checked today, and the problem is definitely the 2 o-rings (14 in the diagram) broken-up. The circlip (item 16) and washer (item 15) are still in place.

if you hammer it like i do then suspect it could cause a problem

I like to think I'm a quick(ish) driver, but I am mechanically sympathetic.

Thanks for the input.

[Dan318-is]

Stuart,

did you replace this bush :







As you can see mine was nailed totally; the rubber was warped and the metal itself was actually bent! Massive improvement to shifting stability and feel after i had changed it; nasty job though, had to drop the prop at the gearbox end and use a 13mm socket and UJ on a 3/8 ratchet to get the 13mm bolt undone that holts the plate to the chassis.

Tough work but worth it!

HTH

[StuBeeDoo]

Yes Dan, I did. Bitch of a job!

[Dan318-is]

Indeed Selector bush as stated would be my next port of call mate.

[StuBeeDoo]

Just done the job.
The o-ring nearest to the selector rod was completely gone - as in not there - and only half of the one on the circlip side was left.
Everything else seems to be fine.
I think next time I'm ordering parts I'll get another pair of o-rings, just in case.

[StuBeeDoo]

9 days and 300 miles later and the bloody lever's gone floppy again tonight.
There's got to be something wrong with either the "gearshift rod joint" or the "straight selector rod" - or both.
Something's making it eat the o-rings (and it isn't brutal use of the gear lever!).

[m-dtech]

fiber washers are they not ??

they are more than likey drying out and breaking up.

you need to use a liberal amount of grease on them.

failing that your have a rough edge or a contaminated substance incontact with them.

mike

[StuBeeDoo]

fiber washers are they not ??

Thanks for the input Mike.
They're actually rubber o-rings and my friendly local BMW $tealers said to use plenty of silicon spray grease - which I did.
I'm going with the rough edge theory, but it's going to have to wait now. I'm in for a double hernia repair Wednesday and not allowed to drive for at least 2 weeks so the car won't be going anywhere.......

[m-dtech]

only other thing is can think of is a bit of silicone mastic on before the o-ring or file and emery paper.

[StuBeeDoo]

As I've plenty of time on my hands, I've been thinking about this again.
Looking on ETK at the Z3 set-up, the selector rod joint (the one on the gearbox) seems to be a different set-up and has the same plastic washers as the E30 has on the bottom of the gearlever. This is obviously far better than using rubber o-rings.
Anyone know if I can fit the Z3 joint and its associated parts on the E30 gearbox?
Or how about just using the plastic washers instead of the o-rings on the E30 set-up??