BMW 2002 FAQ - Comprehensive Shifter Overhaul

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Thread Topic: Comprehensive Shifter Overhaul

Date: 4-6-08 01:20
From: Colin in San Francisco

Subject: Comprehensive Shifter Overhaul

I know there are a lot of threads already on the forum, and I have searched and read them, but I'm hoping to put together a clear and comprehensive thread on rebuilding the shifter.

From my poking around, the main wear points seem to be the following:

* The two bushings that are on the shifter linkage on the base of the lever, underneath the car. These are the ones that are sold in FAQ Store here (made from delrin)

* The "cup" that holds in the "ball" on the base of the shift lever. Mine wiggles around like all hell, and my assumption is that it should be a pretty firm fit.

* The transmission mount itself. I notice that the tranny moves a bit too much for my taste and can change the way shifts feel, especially under heavy acceleration. I am assuming that urethane is the way to go here?

* The mounts for the shifter assembly itself. The rubber seems to crap out?

* The bushing inside the shifter lever itself. I haven't opened mine up yet, but I have a '74 and seem to need the "hat" type or something. My shift lever seems to wobble around on the base shaft and that CAN'T be right. =p

My curiosity is about the OTHER end of the shifter. What about the "gearshift rod joint" that couples the rod to the selector on the tranny. What should I expect there? That seems to be a critical point.

Anything else I should swap out while I'm getting dirty?
_________________
www.sfrecording.com

Date: 4-6-08 10:03 From: Denis Subject: Re: Comprehensive Shifter Overhaul
This thread does not involve your specific issue. If you use a little imagination, you may find what is mentioned to be useful information. http://www.bmw2002faq.com/component/option,com_forum/Itemid,57/page,viewtopic/t,76513/highlight,lee+shifter+cup/

Date: 4-6-08 10:25
From: c.d.iesel in South West Connecticut - Darien = The Right Coast

Subject: Comprehensive Shifter Overhaul

EVERY bushing, washer, felt pad, spring, shouldered bolt
matters. Reason being these tiny bits are either missing,
worn, bent, rusty, incorrect botch generic krap.
Replace all once and forget about it for another 20 + years.

there are 2 rubber bushing up inside the upper chrome shift lever
Takes a little patience to dig out the old ones and installing
the new. (#'s 12 & 14)

_________________
1976 BMW 2002 #2743711(sorry I sold it 12/25/06)
1986 BMW R65 650cc twin 19k miles
1964 BMW R27 250cc single 15K miles
2002 BMW 325xiTouring 29k miles
1984 MERCEDES-BENZ W123 300D Turbodiesel-188k miles fein-DIESEL

Date: 4-6-08 01:31 From: Colin in San Francisco Subject: Re: Comprehensive Shifter Overhaul
Thank you for the excellent reply. If I print out that graphic and take it to the BMW dealer, will that be sufficient enough for them to know what parts to order? _________________ www.sfrecording.com

Date: 4-6-08 02:49
From: c.d.iesel in South West Connecticut - Darien = The Right Coast

Subject: Comprehensive Shifter Overhaul

....it should be .

But always be armed with your VIN number as some
parts are VIN specific, and model year specific. Cut-off
dates, VIN numbers "up-to" and "after" matters with getting the right part that fit's your car.

AND - it's up to you to disassemble or inspect your
car and know exactly what the needed part looks like.
An example here is the two different shift levers. Notice the
allen set screw like thingy sticking out of the bottom of the 'early'
shift lever. That will help you not being annoyed with the counter person.
A great part of you getting the correct parts is your accurate
description, and understanding these parts diagrams helps.
Do print them and you'll aid the parts person provide you
with the correct bits.
_________________
1976 BMW 2002 #2743711(sorry I sold it 12/25/06)
1986 BMW R65 650cc twin 19k miles
1964 BMW R27 250cc single 15K miles
2002 BMW 325xiTouring 29k miles
1984 MERCEDES-BENZ W123 300D Turbodiesel-188k miles fein-DIESEL

Date: 4-6-08 03:23 From: Colin in San Francisco Subject: Re: Comprehensive Shifter Overhaul
Brilliant. Thank you. The car is my only car and is driven heavily which means that getting parts can sometimes be tricky because disassembly is not always an option. _________________ www.sfrecording.com

Date: 4-6-08 04:08 From: Colin in San Francisco Subject: Re: Comprehensive Shifter Overhaul
I think that what I am realizing here is that I possibly have an early model shift lever on an otherwise late model shifter assembly. Is this possible? I seem to be missing the "compression spring" as well. Where is that supposed to fit? _________________ www.sfrecording.com

Date: 4-6-08 08:44
From: JerryC in Santa Rosa, CA

Subject: Re: Comprehensive Shifter Overhaul

Colin wrote:

I think that what I am realizing here is that I possibly have an early model shift lever on an otherwise late model shifter assembly. Is this possible? I seem to be missing the "compression spring" as well. Where is that supposed to fit?

There's no telling what previous owners may have done to get their car back on the road. Someone must have repaired their shift linkage by replacing with a good used one.
_________________
Jerry

Date: 4-6-08 10:13
From: ThisIsTheRanger in San Mateo, CA

Subject: Re: Comprehensive Shifter Overhaul

I notice a similar problem to Colin's but a little more crazy. I have the early shift tower and linkages, but the later upper shift lever (the shaft the the knob threads on to). This is confusing because it looks like the earlier and later lower shift levers can only work with their corresponding upper shift levers and can't be switched. The lower shift rod is curved just like the one in the picture leading me to believe it's a later one, but it has the early style allen set screw and works perfectly with the early style shift linkages, and it also works with my later style upper shift lever! I think I have a hybrid. By the way it's a '73. Any ideas C.D.?
Can the early lower shift lever fit a later upper shift lever?
Are the early and late "shifter arms" (part 8 in second picture) the same?

Date: 4-7-08 12:35
From: Colin in San Francisco

Subject: Re: Comprehensive Shifter Overhaul

Quote:

Can the early lower shift lever fit a later upper shift lever?
Are the early and late "shifter arms" (part 8 in second picture) the same?

I think this is what might be going on with mine... but I'm not sure. I'll take some photos because I really have no idea what's on there now.
_________________
www.sfrecording.com

Date: 4-7-08 04:17
From: ThisIsTheRanger in San Mateo, CA

Subject: Re: Comprehensive Shifter Overhaul

Colin wrote:

I think this is what might be going on with mine... but I'm not sure. I'll take some photos because I really have no idea what's on there now.

I'll take a picture of mine tomorrow when I have access to it. I have welded the upper shift lever to the lower one to eliminate the bushings in between so it looks a little odd, but you can still see what I mean. According to those diagrams, my shifter doesn't exist. lol

Date: 4-22-08 02:51
From: Colin in San Francisco

Subject: Re: Comprehensive Shifter Overhaul

ThisIsTheRanger wrote:

Colin wrote:

I think this is what might be going on with mine... but I'm not sure. I'll take some photos because I really have no idea what's on there now.

Did you sort out your shifter yet? I'm still trying to figure out what exactly I have on my car...
_________________
www.sfrecording.com

Date: 4-22-08 11:38 From: ThisIsTheRanger in San Mateo, CA Subject: Re: Comprehensive Shifter Overhaul
I believe I did. I posted the pictures up in a new thread so as not to thread-jack. My conclusion was that it was an early style lower section and I would just get the early style components to rebuild it. thread with picture: http://www.bmw2002faq.com/component/option,com_forum/Itemid,57/page,viewtopic/t,304210/highlight,/

Date: 5-10-08 11:37
From: Colin in San Francisco

Subject: Re: Comprehensive Shifter Overhaul

Just a quick update:

I finally got all the bits together to rebuild my shifter. I replaced pretty much everything. I had to drop the driveshaft to get the shifter platform out, but other than that, it was pretty easy work, albeit messy (with lots of crud falling on my face).

The car shifts beautifully now and I can't imagine it being much better. I put in a polyurethane tranny mount, too. It really holds everything in place nicely even under hard shifts, but it does transfer more vibration to the rest of the car.

My shifter was a weird combo of early style components on the bottom side but a later style shift lever.
_________________
www.sfrecording.com

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