Gearbox issue

[Bristol_Jer]

Anyone had problems getting into 3rd gear on their m30 converted car? Just wondered if there was a known issue on them, or if the problem is inside the box. Basically sometimes it is difficult to get in 3rd, almost like there is something stopping the stick moving fully into position. It doesn't do it all the time, and it can happen when on full throttle acceleration or just driving slowly through town. I can't see that the linkage is fouling anywhere, and all the other gears are perfect.

[mcbonio]

Might be a lubrication issue with the linkage, grease her up good.!

[Bristol_Jer]

All the moving parts, bushes etc, and gearstick (z3 stick) are new BMW ones, so linkage is pretty much brand new and greased up!

[leeparkes]

Does it sometimes crunch?

This is why i had to change my box, normal light driving it would go in ok but when accelerating it would crunch into third.

http://www.e30zone.net/modules.php?name ... &start=350

Iirc it was the syncro's on the way out.

[Bristol_Jer]

It will crunch if you don't give the gearstick a good shove to get it in 3rd, but sometimes it works perfectly. I did think the synchro's as I've had another car where they went on 2nd but that only crunched on hard acceleration, mine does it at any speed even when driving slowly. Either way I think it will be box rebuild time over the winter as I'm planning on keeping the m30 and upping the power eventually so I want the gearbox to be in good nick.

Thanks for the link Lee, didn't know you had to change the box on yours. All my work on my car is done on my drive under the carport so the engine will be coming out as well, which isn't so bad as I want to get some welding done on it and tidy up the wiring a bit more.

[dubownerbilco]

I have exactly the same problem with my m30 sport gearbox, however i havent fitted it yet so i will be repairing it prior to fitting