» Site Navigation | | » Recent Threads | | | | | | 10-07-2006, 07:53 PM | #1 | Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Sterling, VA Posts: 36 | Sloppy Shifter i've noticed my shifter does a lot of whiggling in all gears, shifting isn't very crisp, and it's sometimes hard to get into first gear, so i figure something needs to be replaced. so i need to know what parts i need to get, can i fix it myself, and how much more would it be to just put in a short shifter while i'm at it? thanks folks! | | | 10-07-2006, 08:18 PM | #2 | Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Greenville, SC Posts: 9,356 | The shift lever bushing tends to crack. http://www.realoem.com/bmw/showparts...13&hg=25&fg=05 Fig 7 Installing a short shift is just a matter of replacing the shift lever. You can use a M roadster lever. I just put a Z8 lever in my E30. __________________ ...steven BMW CCA #146825 1996 BMW 328ti 2003 MINI Cooper S 2016 M235i www.bmwcca.org | | | 10-07-2006, 08:40 PM | #3 | Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Jacksonville, Florida Posts: 322 | My shifter is very loose when in gear too, and my mechanic told me that it was normal, being as old as she is (1996: 130k miles). Shifting is still fairly crisp though, and I don't have trouble getting into gear too often. Good luck though | | | 10-07-2006, 08:41 PM | #4 | Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: San Diego Posts: 85 | same problem i have the same problem , only i cant shift down straight into second otherwise it pops out, i have to kinds shift down and to the right. | | | 10-07-2006, 08:43 PM | #5 | Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Greenville, SC Posts: 9,356 | There is also a spring that wears out. I need to take care of that over the winter. The tranny needs to be dropped for that. __________________ ...steven BMW CCA #146825 1996 BMW 328ti 2003 MINI Cooper S 2016 M235i www.bmwcca.org | | | 10-07-2006, 08:46 PM | #6 | Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Sterling, VA Posts: 36 | dano, i had the same problem with second gear. i think it's normal actually. | | | 10-07-2006, 09:44 PM | #7 | Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Port St. Johns, Florida Posts: 2,242 | when I wrapped the OE selector rod it took out a lot of slop. then I added Delrin Carrier bushings, a new carrier clip, new Shifter(M Coupe's from the dealer) and it stopped alot more of the movement. | | | 10-07-2006, 09:45 PM | #8 | Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Port St. Johns, Florida Posts: 2,242 | also when I added weight to the selector rod, it made the throws truer IMO. for a Diy mod to the rod. http://www.cfbmw.org/viewtopic.php?t=1138 | | | 10-07-2006, 10:30 PM | #9 | Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Marion, IA Posts: 388 | I am tempted to do this for mine. I notice it is sloppy, but it still works perfect. I occasionally think it is in gear and let the clutch out only to grind the gears as it wasn't in all the way. I went and searched and here are the directions on how to change the parts: http://www.318ti.org/forum/showthread.php?t=8088 | | | 10-17-2006, 03:14 AM | #10 | Moderator Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Bouncing off the rev limiter in CT! Posts: 3,156 | There are four tiny plastic washers (two on each end of the shifter rod) that wear out. Also, the plastic cup bushing the shifter pivot ball sits in wears out as well. The actual ball molded on the shift lever does not wear very much. If a shorter shifter is desired, it's not a bad time to replace that too. The M Roadster lever is the shortest as far as I know. I'm not familiar with the Z8 lever... Replace these relatively inexpensive parts and it will shift like new 99% of the time. Don't forget to lubricate these parts when you replace them. Use a good quality synthetic grease. It stays in place better when warm, and stays fluid when really cold. There was also a problem with the detent springs. These springs act on small ball bearings and lock the tranny in each gear, sort of like the small ball that holds the socket on a ratchet. The M3 tranny had problems with this, but I am unaware of the problem in the ti. It is quite reasonable to have problems with this, especially on a high-mileage tranny, particularly if the bulk of the miles are around town (lots of shifting). | | | 10-17-2006, 03:24 AM | #11 | Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Greenville, SC Posts: 9,356 | Quote: Originally Posted by J!m There was also a problem with the detent springs. | I have that problem but the tranny is from a 328. Gotta get it fixed over the winter. Also need a throwout bearing and might as well do the clutch. +220K miles and it's still fine though. __________________ ...steven BMW CCA #146825 1996 BMW 328ti 2003 MINI Cooper S 2016 M235i www.bmwcca.org | | | 10-17-2006, 03:31 PM | #12 | Moderator Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Bouncing off the rev limiter in CT! Posts: 3,156 | Don't forget the pilot bearing while you're in there... | | | 10-17-2006, 05:18 PM | #13 | Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Manassas, VA Posts: 4,129 | Sloppy shifter can be a relative term. My car only had 35,000 miles on it when I swapped the shifter. It wasn't sloppy because anything was worn out, it just had to much play from the factory. All I did was replace items 7, 10, 11 and or course the shifter, when I upgraded mine. http://www.realoem.com/bmw/showparts...13&hg=25&fg=05 Quote: Originally Posted by 1996 328ti | __________________ 1998 (July) 318ti, 5-spd OEM Armrest Blaupunkt Heidelberg CD50 CD Player/Compact Drive MP3 Player Diamond Audio 5.25" rear speakers Navman ICN 530 GPS BMWALARM.COM (with comfort settings) after market alarm system Magnecor 8.5mm wires M-Z3 Shifter/Momo Knob Burlwood Dashboard Stromung Exhaust X-brace Racing Dynamics Front Strut Bar Carbonio C.A.I. 17" Rial Rims Vader Seats/Heated/Lumbar Support M-tech Steering Wheel/Front Sway Bar/Front & Rear Bumper Depos/w 6500K Angel Eyes/6000K HIDs Clear Corners M3 Mirrors UUC Light Weight Flywheel/M5 Clutch/M3 Clutch Slave E28 3.46 LSD/Mcoupe Cover/E30 Flanges & Halfshafts UUC S.S. Brake/Clutch Lines Hartge Roof Spoiler BavAuto Springs Bilstein Sport Struts/Shocks E46 M3 Rear Shock Mounts SPC Front Camber Kit Reiger Hatch Spoiler BavAuto Rear Camber Kit Dinan Stage II Software Turner Rear Sway Bar Reinforcements BMW E46 Auto dimming mirror with Clown Nose alarm Engine Compartment Light Heated Wiper Fluid Retrofit OEM Fire Extinguisher Da'lan Trailer Hitch Rear Sun Shade OEM Fog Light Retrofit H & R MZ3 Rear Sway Bar/ UUC Adjustable End Links Cruise Control Retrofit On Board Computer Retrofit M3 twistie style side skirts Carbon Fiber Hood | | | 10-24-2006, 05:20 AM | #14 | Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: San Francisco Posts: 308 | __________________ '99 ti /Mtechnic, Schwartz II, Meyle Control Arms w/Full Metal Ball Joints, PowerFlex poly LCAB's, Pirelli P Zero/Nero 225/50/16, "the d-baffle"...... | | | | Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests) | | Posting Rules | You may not post new threads You may not post replies You may not post attachments You may not edit your posts HTML code is Off | | | Similar Threads | Thread | Thread Starter | Forum | Replies | Last Post | Auto-X Results 2006 Season | PurpleTurtle | Track, Auto-X & Drag Racing | 3 | 01-07-2007 03:56 AM | Some auto-x pictures. | AlaskaBlue | Track, Auto-X & Drag Racing | 10 | 06-02-2006 01:59 AM | Auto-X looks fun | robcarync | Track, Auto-X & Drag Racing | 51 | 05-30-2006 04:50 PM | Auto-X in VA | USMC318ti | Track, Auto-X & Drag Racing | 12 | 03-31-2006 07:14 PM | ASC for Auto-X? | PeteN95 | Track, Auto-X & Drag Racing | 10 | 03-14-2006 12:22 AM | |