2nd and 4th - long shift throw??

[IB635]

So, on my 1985 635 5-speed, I've recently, as in this week, noticed that the shifter seems to be dropping back further than usual when I shift into 2nd and 4th, to the point that it's smacking into the console housing at the rear of the 'boot hole' The forward gears (1,3,5, reverse) don't seem to be affected, and shift to where it seems they always have. Could the shift rod joint have slipped or move? Hoping it's not a 'remove the trans' sort of fix. Any advice is appreciated, thanks.

[DesktopDave]

I had that problem...ended up that the rear shifter bracket "bumper" had fallen out at the rear of the shifter bracket under the car. Easy fix. You can get to that bracket above the rear of the transmission if you put the car up on jack stands. I didn't need to drop the transmission (although it's easy enough to slip a jack under the transmission, unbolt the subframe-to-chassis nuts, and drop it down a an inch or two for a little more space).

BMWFans.info shifter schematic diagram. (http://bmwfans.info/parts-catalog/E24/USA/635CSi-M30/1985/browse/gearshift/gearbox_shifting_part_3/)

My car has the sheet metal type bracket. In the above diagram, bumper #10 had fallen out of the shift bracket #9, and one of the #2 socket cap screws had loosened up. If you have the aluminum arm type shifter I'd guess that the rear support has slipped off the mounting bracket on the transmission tunnel, or that the bracket itself is loose. Either way, it's easy enough to see what's going on with a flashlight. Even though it's awkward to work over top of the rear of the transmission, you shouldn't have much trouble.

[IB635]

Dave,

Thanks a lot for getting back to me with that. I bet that's exactly what it is. Apparently come back to bite me in the ass (knew it would), I 'replaced' that bumper (#10) when I replaced the shifter bushings a couple months back, and had a tough time getting it to seat (it is an awkward position under the car to get to that setup). I gave it the 'good enough', and it seems it wasn't. I'm assuming it's on the 5 somewhere now. Pelican parts, here I come.

[Alex E24 E30]

I would suggest bulletproofing it:
http://www.bimmerforums.com/forum/showthread.php?1301886-quot-6-Series-quot-Do-It-Yourself-(DIY)-Write-Ups&p=17832055#post17832055


Alex

[IB635]

Alex,
Thanks for posting that. I haven't had a chance to tackle this yet (rebuilding the Land Cruiser engine at the moment), but I did stick my head under the car and found that the bolts from trans to the bracket were way backed out.
I'm going to go with the bulletproofing method when I get under there however.

[Mike WW]

Alex,
Thanks for posting that. I haven't had a chance to tackle this yet (rebuilding the Land Cruiser engine at the moment), but I did stick my head under the car and found that the bolts from trans to the bracket were way backed out.
I'm going to go with the bulletproofing method when I get under there however.

They like to do that. When you put them back in make sure you use locktite. And don't overtorque either, they are also fond of stripping.

[IB635]

For sure with the locktite, it looks like a bitch to get a hand up in there to get at things, so I definitely don't want to revisit this. Land Cruiser is back in action, so this is up next. Thanks for the input!