Shifter Bushings

[47driver]

Does anyone have any experience with these http://www.ecstuning.com/BMW-E36-318...fter/ES259532/ or any simular bushings?

I 'm new to the ti and would like to remove the excess play from the shifter. My budget right now does not allow for a SSK, but I would like to do this project http://www.318ti.org/forum/showthread.php?t=8088 next week.

Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

[xxxJohnBoyxxx]

Most people say the hardest part is removing the "Bitch Clip". It's that clip in the picture. I don't have any issues with it. I just get all up in there real good and take a 2 screw drivers to it, med size and small size. I take one and push it under the clip to pry it up and the ohter I pop the side that locks it. As soon as the lock side is popped loose pry the other screw driver up and it pops right off. Putting them on is easy I do it by hand with a glove or tape on my finger to apply a lot of pressure.

The rest of it is very simple to dis-assemble which removal of clips. Install bushings put back together with a little lube on the steel, don't forget your washers to ensure there is no play at all in any part of the linkage. It should be tight all around.

You can do a SSK for small money if you use a stock shifter from a different car with a shorter throw. Like a MZ3 which is my favorite. Cost me under $70 to do complete and has a very short throw on the shift.

[47driver]

Thanks, I'll look into it. For $70 I might as well do everything at once. I have read about some clearance issues with some different shifters, but if the MZ3 works well I'll look up the part # and get everything ordered.

[dave45056]

I was amazed at how much play was removed from my shifter by simply replacing all of the bushings in the linkage. Items 7, 10, and 11 in this link to be exact:
http://www.realoem.com/bmw/showparts...13&hg=25&fg=05

They sell all you need here for cheap, and includes all of the items I mentioned above.
http://www.understeer.com/onlinestore-shifters.shtml

[hotmilk400]

actually, this thread got me very interested in this project now. i really need to replace the bushings, but heck, since i am in their, why not do the SSK. for those that installed the SSK, what %throw did you take?

also, i know you can also use the z3 shifters or like johnboy said, the MZ3 shifter and get a shorter throw. i also know you need to give it alittle bend to make it fit well. what does that involve? and off hand, where did you get the parts?

any info is helpful! thanks alot.

[47driver]

I'm very interested as well as to % and if you had to bend anything.

[wolferj-RIP]

With a stock motor and trans, the Z3 shifter will reduce throw by approx 29%, the MZ shifter will reduce throw by close to 50%, IIRC... I however could not use the MZ shifter due to the swapped motor moving the trans back... The shifter linkage had to be bent to get the throw in the right location, causing it to interact with the driveline...

[dave45056]

Check out this thread from my experience:
http://www.318ti.org/forum/showthread.php?t=14709

I went with the m3 shifter, but shorter would be better. I also made a weighted selector rod while I was in there. It's all shown in that thread.

[Biolite]

I have an MZ3 shifter in my 'ti right now. I did the install a while ago, but I would say a 50% shift length reduction is about right. It's pretty short. I did have to bend the shift linkage a bit to get things to fit, but it wasn't difficult. I did not bend the actual shift lever though, like most guides recommend. The shift knob just sits off center slightly. It's been that way for ~7 years and hasn't bothered me. I would definitely recommend for the price.

These bushings are a good find though, I might have to make a purchase....

[spidertri]

Originally Posted by dave45056

Check out this thread from my experience:
http://www.318ti.org/forum/showthread.php?t=14709

I went with the m3 shifter, but shorter would be better. I also made a weighted selector rod while I was in there. It's all shown in that thread.

Thanks for posting that link. When you made the WSR did you add the second bend so that it would clear the vibration damper?

Seeing that the stock length is 214mm is interesting, UUC makes a 215mm DSSR for the E30 M3. I just wish it would fit without taking off the vibration damper.

[dave45056]

Yes, when you see how things all fit together, the 2nd bend makes it fit nicely.

[xxxJohnBoyxxx]

I run the MZ3 shifter with the ZF transmission and 328 drive shaft & linkage on a E36 is. I had to bend the shifter only and I cut the top off to make it even shorter. The shifter bottom where the linkage hooks in is about 1/4 inch from my drive shaft so it's a close fit. Very tight ratio and notchy shift but that is the way I like it. Weighting the linkage will take away the notchy-ness but I don't know from experience, I don't like to add extra weight unless it's for reliability or safety

[mohaughn]

I've removed the drive shaft dampener from my car and never noticed a difference. After watching some recent video of my car, I realize that i really need new shifter bushings.. You can see the shifter moving all over the place as I go over bumps..

[spidertri]

That's good to know, when I change my guibo I'm going to take the damper off. I replaced all the bushings back in July and it made a huge difference in shifter feel, I also put fresh amsoil in the trans, the difference was night and day.

[xxxJohnBoyxxx]

I removed the Damper too and did not notice any difference in vibration but it does remove rotational mass which every 15# removed = 100# removed from the car in acceleration.

A car can really be made much faster by removing rotational mass and weight anywhere you can. A lot of small things add up. Sorry to get off subject...