Sloppy and loose shifter

[BaaderMeinhofWagen]

Merry Christmas all,

Can anyone recommend a particular shifter refresh kit to address all the shifter play in my '75 2002? Is it fairly straight forward job? Does the exhaust mid pipe need to be removed for access? A quick search suggested multiple kits and diy hacks leaving me uncertain how to proceed.

Thanks in advance.

[tech71]

 

First thing to do is determine which style of shift linkage you have, there are two.

While your 75 was probably fitted with the later style there's no guarantee thats what's in there 40+ years later. Need to do a visual on the shift rod to shift lever interface to determine this.. from under the car.

Second thing to do is determine if your shift platform( supports the shift lever) is secure, the mounts that secure it to the trans deteriorate over time and can cause it to have tons of slop. 

Sometimes the bolts securing it to the trans will loosen up, maybe even fall out.

Pull the boot up inside the car, wiggle the shifter around and see if platform holding it is sloppy.

Determining these narrows down available options and ensures you order the right stuff.

Merry Christmas to you too

 

Edited December 25, 2023 by tech71

[OldRoller]

In a lot of cases excessive shifter slop is caused by the two upper allen head bolts securing the shifter platform to the trans have become loose, as tech71 noted. More prevalent on the right side. I had that bolt disappear into the road valhalla. Check the platform, then look at linkage/bushings etc if not corrected by tightening the major fasteners. 

[BaaderMeinhofWagen]

32 minutes ago, OldRoller said:

In a lot of cases excessive shifter slop is caused by the two upper allen head bolts securing the shifter platform to the trans have become loose, as tech71 noted. More prevalent on the right side. I had that bolt disappear into the road valhalla. Check the platform, then look at linkage/bushings etc if not corrected by tightening the major fasteners. 

As tech71 alluded to I assume the platform is checked by looking under the shifter boot?

[dlacey]

45 minutes ago, BaaderMeinhofWagen said:

assume the platform is checked by looking under the shifter boot?

No, it's only visible from under the car...the exhaust isn't in the way so much, but the prop and donut are... It could be either the two 8mm head(?) Allen bolts are loose or the rubber-centred brackets the bolts secure have turned to mush (replace).

The other thing to replace are the two 'top hat' nylon washers at the bottom of the shift lever.

[tech71]

You can  check platform for excessive  play from the top.

Pull the boot , shift thru gears, watch platform, excessive movement indicates  worn mounts or loose missing bolts. 

Any repairs are done from under the car.

2 hours ago, dlacey said:

The other thing to replace are the two 'top hat' nylon washers at the bottom of the shift lever.

That only applies to the early duel shear style shift rods and fancy smancy after market short shift set ups.

Bushings on later style are completely different and not available individually. You have to buy new lowershift lever and fwd joint.

Thats where some of the hacks come in, couple of bronze bushings from  Ace, some epoxy and  a 10mm ream are alot cheaper.

OP, get under your car and identify what you have, show us, then we can advise.

 

 

Edited December 25, 2023 by tech71

[Son of Marty]

IMO, call Blunt tech and they will fix you up with everything you need, get the bushings and mounts and do it all, do it once and move on. Also use loc-tite on the Allen head bolts that hold the shift blocks to the trans case.

[tech71]

6 hours ago, BaaderMeinhofWagen said:

Is it fairly straight forward job?

Without  a lift? No not really, you’re working around the driveshaft and guibo. The  fwd joint connecting shift rod to trans shift shaft can be particularly problematic😁
It’s a pain in the rear, access is limited, it’s doable however,, for a first timer/ someone with limited mechanical experience lying on their back under the car, the learning curve can be quite steep.

Doesn’t help that in many cases the area is covered in years of congealed oil. Had to dig it out of the Allen bolts on Survivor. Oh and it helps to have a really long 3/8 in extension, not as good but works is several short ones cobbled into a Frankenextension😉

6 hours ago, BaaderMeinhofWagen said:

Does the exhaust mid pipe need to be removed for access?

No

Edited December 25, 2023 by tech71

[Dave919]

This video by @spuriouspseudohelped me “see” it all when dealing with that last year.

 

 

Edited December 25, 2023 by Dave919
Meant to tag member

[BaaderMeinhofWagen]

Thanks for all the responses gents. Great info all around.

Once I get under to have a look I'll have a better idea.

Car is in the paint shop at the moment.

The shifter was moving around no different than the video above so I may just get a full kit.

 

[BaaderMeinhofWagen]

I snapped a few pics under the car today. Can anyone identify whether this is early or late model mechanism? My apologies for the photo quality. I just want to make sure I purchase the correct kit to fix the slop.

cheers

Edited January 28 by BaaderMeinhofWagen

['76mintgrün'02]

 

That is the late style.

[joebarthlow]

this thread is good timing. rebuilding my shift linkage is on my winter list to do

[BaaderMeinhofWagen]

Should I get the Blunt or the Ireland Engineering kit to address this?

['76mintgrün'02]

 

I'd recommend shopping at Blunttech.com, so you can joint the fun in this thread.

https://www.bmw2002faq.com/forums/topic/334974-shoutout-to-blunttech/

 

The Blunt kit does not include the gear shift rod joint and they get sloppy, so add a joint/pin/foam insert to the list. 

 

 

The part numbers can be pulled off of this RealOem diagram.

 

 

 

No.	Description	Supp.	Qty	From	Up To	Part Number	Price		Notes
01	Set circlip 10	8,0	3	03/1974		07509064295			ENDED
01	Circlip	8,0	3	03/1974		07119932863	$0.11
02	Shim	16X10,2X0,65	2	03/1974		25111220199	$0.30
03	Gearshift rod joint		1	03/1974		25111205070			ENDED
03	Gearshift rod joint	SCHWARZ	1	03/1974		25117503525	$37.51
	only in conjunction with
--	Straight selector rod	L=151MM	1	03/1974		25111206888	$27.51
--	Shim	16X10,2X0,65	4	03/1974		25111220199	$0.30
--	Shift lever-lower part		1	03/1974		25111220213	$23.00
04	Dowel pin		1	03/1974		23411466134	$0.70
05	Tension bush		1	03/1974		25111203682	$1.18
06	Plastic washer		1	03/1974		25111434194	$0.85
07	Straight selector rod		1	03/1974		25111204357	$37.53
	For vehicles with 5-speed sports gearbox	=Yes
07	Straight selector rod		1	03/1974		25111204359	$92.48
08	Shifting arm		1	03/1974		25111203776			ENDED
	For vehicles with 5-speed sports gearbox	=Yes
08	Shifting arm		1	03/1974		25111204147	$46.76		ENDED
09	Lock Ring		1	03/1974		23411466112	$0.68
10	Shift lever-lower part		1	03/1974		25111205870	$64.36
11	Shift lever-upper part		1	08/1973	07/1976	25111220778	$91.80
11	Shift lever-upper part		1	03/1974		25111220778	$91.80
12	Cap		1	03/1974		25111205441	$1.52
13	Circlip	10-ZNS3	1	03/1974		07119904911	$0.27
14	Rubber Ring		1	03/1974		23411666133	$1.77
15	Washer	14X25X2-ZNS3	1	03/1974		34301163613	$0.83
16	Spring washer		1	03/1974		23411666122	$1.75
17	Spacer sleeve		1	03/1974		23411200844	$2.27
18	Compression spring		1	03/1974		23411200845	$1.33
19	Ball Cup upper		2	03/1974		23411466110	$8.01
20	Washer		X	03/1974		23411466125	$1.02
20	Washer		X	03/1974		23411466126	$0.84
20	Washer		X	03/1974		23411466127	$0.80		ENDED
21	Shift lever		1	08/1973	07/1976	25111204381			ENDED
21	Shift lever		1	03/1974		25111220214			ENDED

Notes

 

Here's part number six in the diagram.

BluntTech Industries • PLASTIC WASHER

WWW.BLUNTTECH.COM

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PLASTIC WASHER

 

I'd also replace the shift rod seal while you're in there.

 

BluntTech Industries • Man. Trans Shift Linkage Seal

WWW.BLUNTTECH.COM

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shift shaft seal 1 per car

RealOEM.com - Online BMW Parts Catalog

WWW.REALOEM.COM

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BMW parts 1502-2002tii 2002 Diagram Selection