PDA

View Full Version : 535i 5-spd shifter alignment


paanta
04-06-2009, 04:18 PM
The shifter on my car seems to be aligned poorly...I'm not quite sure how this would happen. Neutral is forward and right of where it's supposed to be, as are all the gears.

It makes hitting 5th a bit of a long reach. In addition, it's a bit tricky to get it into 1st gear from a stop. Most of the time it's no problem, but sometimes I'll go to take off from a stop light and the car will just grind like it was not fully engaged. Very embarassing and worse when the car is hot.

I assume something is screwed up with the linkage. Is there a likely culprit? The car shifts fine otherwise (very little play in the shifter,
I don't have much to compare to, so I doubt it's worn bushings.

I don't have another car to compare to, so it's hard to tell if something is installed improperly. There isn't much room under there to take a good look at it. Maybe the shift lever is reversed or something?
Binjammin
04-06-2009, 04:56 PM
Did you put a short shifter in?
paanta
04-06-2009, 04:59 PM
No, and the length of the throw is more or less identical to the one in my dad's 535i.
zubbie
04-06-2009, 05:01 PM
Did you put a short shifter in?

someone say short shitter?

http://midgetouthouse.crzybetty.com/images/midgetouthouse3.jpg
nmp411
04-06-2009, 05:34 PM
someone say short shitter?

http://midgetouthouse.crzybetty.com/images/midgetouthouse3.jpg
o how I love zubbie's useful comments :):buttrock
Binjammin
04-06-2009, 05:38 PM
Zubbie... is that you in the background? :confused
zubbie
04-06-2009, 05:45 PM
Zubbie... is that you in the background? :confused

God no. I'm 6', 185lbs, have all my hair and am damn good looking!
nmp411
04-06-2009, 05:45 PM
Zubbie... is that you in the background? :confused

lol!
Travis R
04-06-2009, 05:46 PM
Shift lever rotated 180 degrees upon reassembly?
paanta
04-06-2009, 06:38 PM
Yeah, I almost wonder that looking at the realoem page.

Those of you who've replaced bushings and whatnot: what can be replaced without lowering the exhaust and trans? That seems like a HUGE amount of work for not a lot of gain... If I wanted to rotate the shift lever, could I?
attack eagle
04-06-2009, 07:38 PM
I would guess worn bushings and the T. if it were backwards it would be WAY off.
paanta
04-07-2009, 08:59 AM
Are the bushings replaceable with the transmission in place?
tammer
04-07-2009, 09:58 AM
Are the bushings replaceable with the transmission in place?
Yes. It can all be done with the trans and driveshaft in place. I find it easier and worth the time to drop the front of the driveshaft and loosen up the trans mounts so the transmission can tilt down a bit, but nothing major has to be removed. If you do remove the driveshaft, you're supposed to replace the locknuts on the guibo bolts. It's a good time to replace your guibo, too, if you need one.

-tammer