Shifter Repair Saga

[Tim of Capitola]

BMW 2002 Shifter

 

 

My 1970 wasn’t shifting very well, hard to get into gear, reverse impossible. I was thinking/hoping it was simply the linkage( particularly after reading several account of how the shifter mounts go bad).

 

I watched this great YouTube( https://youtu.be/WNKmQgJqUeI      ) the showed it could be repaired without having to drop the exhaust or drive shaft.

 

Decided it was possible. First problem was finding the grub screw from the shift level to the shift shaft was buggered up, no way would it accept a 4mm allen.  Had to use a needle vice grip pliers to turn it out, about 5 degrees at a time.

 

Then found the allen heads that mount the bracket to the transmission were also buggered up, took a combination of pliers, etc to get them out.  Not cool with the drive shaft blocking you.

 

I noticed that the rubber bushing on the support arm was almost completely gone.

 

Tried to order that bushing, not available. You must order the complete arm for $70 +.

 

I sand basted the brackets, primed and painted them Orange for some reason.

 

 

Watched this video on how to use liquid plastic to make suspension bushings.

 

https://youtu.be/2_0BYvTkZ0o

 

 

Shopped for something in 45-50 range and found it on Amazon.

 

Made a jig to hold the arm with an indent to set off the steel bushing and proceed a little too quickly, you must wait until to plastic sets up a little, about 20 minutes so it does not pour through.

 

It set up over night, had to wire brush off the over flowed plastic and repaint.

 

The installation was not easy, using a combination of allen wrenches, and sockets and with the help of a friend got in all back together, great to have someone moving the shifter while you reconnect it.

 

Photos are here:

 

https://photos.app.goo.gl/Mqetwwmp5tQAaYay8

 

I made a Styrofoam block just for fun.  Also replaced the mounts for the 8mm allen bolts, they had some weird relief or wear grooves.

 

 

I think it would be much easier to drop the driveshaft and exhaust, unless yer retired like me.  

[Johnny Haywire]

I recently replaced the bushings for my shifter (the kit from Blunt) and honestly, I wouldn't have attempted it without dropping the driveshaft and exhaust. After spending a lot of time in the trans tunnel, I'm very impressed that you pulled this off without removing those, though I guess the 5 degree turns at a time is the price one pays. Still, getting at those two 8mm bolts must've been tricky. Nice work!

 

You can get that shift tower support arm bushing from Ireland Engineering if the need ever arises again, they are repopping them in polyurethane and for only $9, but costs $17 to ship (not kidding, so make sure you are ordering a bunch of stuff to make it worthwhile). Was a bit brutal to press into the brace, but it's definitely not going anywhere now that it's in there. Here's a pic of it installed.

 

I like the orange paint, btw!

[Tim of Capitola]

Thanks, it was a good challenge and probably not the smartest way to do the job.