Shifter troubles

Blaise · Post by **Blaise** » Mon Oct 15, 2012 4:18 pm

My shifter (5 speed manual) has recently started to exhibit a strange problem.

On all gears that require the shifter to be pushed forward (reverse, first, third, etc...), it feels like the throw is limited and engagement marginal. All the gears that require the opposite throw (rear) are fine and feel like a positive engagement is made.

Has anyone experienced this before?

Blaise · Post by **Blaise** » Mon Oct 15, 2012 5:38 pm

I am thinking that maybe the bolts that secure the shift bracket blocks to the transmission housing may be coming loose:

T.Hanson · Post by **T.Hanson** » Mon Oct 15, 2012 6:36 pm

If the question is will it maybe fix itself, I think not. I'm guessing you are right, theorizing something is wrong with the linkage. As annoying as it is to have to raise it up, drop the exhaust to easily see and access everything, that's your high percentage next step.

stewart in slc · Post by **stewart in slc** » Mon Oct 15, 2012 6:51 pm

I've had that exact problem on several e12's and every time it just what you described, the bolts holding the shift lever were loose or in one case actually gone. Each car is a bit different but I never had to drop the exhaust to replace/tighten the bolts tho' you'll probably need a flex u joint thing for your socket wrench.

peter claassen · Post by **peter claassen** » Mon Oct 15, 2012 9:58 pm

There are two aluminum bolt sockets above the guibo that the black metal shifter with shifter ball n socket.

I had them break on my tranny - I hope that is not the case for you

My experience was that short throws make things worse

81 528i Fritz (steel hull reincarnated into a Suzuki rice burner)

On Oct 15, 2012, at 2:18 PM, Blaise <blaisedescollonges@gmail.com (blaisedescollonges@gmail.com)> wrote:

My shifter (5 speed manual) has recently started to exhibit a strange problem.

On all gears that require the shifter to be pushed forward (reverse, first, third, etc...), it feels like the throw is limited and engagement marginal. All the gears that require the opposite throw (rear) are fine and feel like a positive engagement is made.

Has anyone experienced this before?

1977 BMW 530i
1973 R75/5 BMW (motorcycle)

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T.Hanson · Post by **T.Hanson** » Mon Oct 15, 2012 10:06 pm

My 2 cents was spent only to suggest looking underneath as step one. Without seeing what you see, I didn't mean to suggest you'd have to do anything (drop the exhaust) to tighten what's loose.

Mike W. · Post by **Mike W.** » Mon Oct 15, 2012 10:21 pm

Those bolts coming out of the back of a 265 always seem to loosen up. Whenever I'm in there I reassemble with locktite after hosing it out with brake or carb cleaner. Invariably they are loose in more ways than one (meaning threads loose, not just not torqued down) and I could see them easily stripping the transmission case. Which isn't the end of the world, but a PITA.

The first 5 speed conversion I did had those ears completely broken off, I had to drill into the case and tap it, then use spacers to take up the difference. Of course I didn't have the right shift rod either, so that had to be adapted too.

Blaise · Post by **Blaise** » Wed Oct 17, 2012 1:29 pm

I found the issue and you guys were right...sort of.

The bolts did not come loose. Instead, the bushings failed.

Here is a video of the failure:

https://picasaweb.google.com/1030509870 ... directlink

These bushings were purchased about a year ago from Bavauto and were BMW parts. I called Bavauto and they agreed to warranty the parts. They are providing a refund.

Here is the interesting part.

I mounted them based on this realoem diagram:

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

But, bavauto tells me that I should have mounted them such that the rigid mount was at the transmission and the rubber mount was at the bracket. This would certainly change the force that these bushings see and may have solved the problem.

The kit I had ordered from Bavauto (8/26/11) is listed as:

(click to see more)
Installation Kit for Short Throw Shift Kit
Here are our suggested installation items for installing your Bavarian Autosport Short ... more info...
Part # : SSK IK EARLY $ 43.95
...................................................................................................................

They just informed me that the part number they sent me is 25 11 1 208 580.

The part number listed in realoem is 25111202842

Blaise · Post by **Blaise** » Wed Oct 17, 2012 1:47 pm

I forgot to add that this was a bit of a blessing in disguise, as it got me to look under my car.

My guibo was one hard acceleration away from completely falling apart. I will post separately.

BimBim2oo2 · Post by **BimBim2oo2** » Wed Oct 17, 2012 3:09 pm

I PMd you about the tower mounts. I have some new ones laying around let me know if you want them.

T.Hanson · Post by **T.Hanson** » Wed Oct 17, 2012 11:56 pm

If I'm senile, o.k..

Why have I assembled four guibo, clutch, transmission, short shifters, from instructions, realoem drawings, no problems in ten years ?

Not that yours aren't real, or I'm casting any dispersions. Bavauto sez to put the front things in the rear,...how, whut ?

I get it that oil eats rubber (bushings, guibos), plus time and torque stress, bad batch factors. Otherwise the film and photos are great, to make the rest all very confusing.

wkohler · Post by **wkohler** » Thu Oct 18, 2012 2:08 am

I just checked two of my 265s which haven't had anything rebuilt and the correct orientation is with the bushings against the console.

There are a few errors here and there in drawings, but I have no reason to complain. I haven't found another manufacturer that has made this information available in such an easy to follow/access manner.

Blaise · Post by **Blaise** » Thu Oct 18, 2012 1:04 pm

Thank you all for the responses. I guess this is a place where referring to realoem was not the way to go.

Josh offered me a set of new blocks, which I will install with the rubber sleeve at the shift bracket bolts. Makes more sense.

I am grateful that you guys are here to help me learn and keep this car on the road.

wkohler · Post by **wkohler** » Thu Oct 18, 2012 1:14 pm

I am grateful that you are here to share your experiences and photograph your progress.

Blaise · Post by **Blaise** » Mon Oct 22, 2012 12:21 pm

Alright, it is fixed.

Josh (BimBim2oo2) sent me a set of new bushing blocks for free. My hat is off to Josh for doing me such a favor. Thank you.

I installed the blocks with the rubber bushing on the bracket mount.

What a difference it makes! My shifter feels better than it ever has. My short shift modification is finally working perfectly.

So, don't follow the RealOem diagram for this intall.

Thanks again.

Blaise

Video of the shift bracket, fixed:

https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/l ... directlink

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