Holy Moly - Installing a Short Shifter

[slownrusty]

1) Drop the Exhaust (!)
2) Drop the Driveshaft (!!)
3) Smack yourself in the face pulling out the shift knob (!!!)
4) Drop the rear transmission bracket and support (!!!!)
5) Fish around trying to remove three fiddly clips (one of which you will never see, has to all be done by "feel")

While in there replace:
1) Drive shaft flex disc
2) Driveshaft center support bearing
3) Rubber boot
4) Transmission mounts
5) All shifter bushings

then re-install it all...there goes 1/2 your weekend.

[Nullified]

The big question is: how does it shift? How much shorter is the throw and which kit did you use?

[slownrusty]

Its not installed yet, as I am still waiting for some of the parts from the list above and I have some new bushings to press in.

I bought the Ireland Engineering short shifter.

[RSheiman]

I have to say this was one of the most frustrating jobs I ever did on my E24, and I have tackled most everything.

[Nullified]

I like the quality of the short shifter; it has a cnc metal pivot ball joint instead of the oem plastic joint. You'll get that crispy shift feel, even better than new!

[slownrusty]

649835Obligatary picture

[slownrusty]

Job now complete, enjoy the video!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eIVDINKOrTc

[e30luv318i]

If you don’t change the entire shift carrier you can do the entire job inside the car it takes me around 20-30 mins. Put the shifter in reverse to get the bitch clip and put a long screw driver in between the carrier and selector rod and go back and fourth in neural. Then spin the cup bushing and she’s out.

[slownrusty]

If you don’t change the entire shift carrier you can do the entire job inside the car it takes me around 20-30 mins. Put the shifter in reverse to get the bitch clip and put a long screw driver in between the carrier and selector rod and go back and fourth in neural. Then spin the cup bushing and she’s out.


True...but what about the worn bushings on the two (2) linkage arms connecting to the transmission? It would be a job 1/2 done to not also replace those.

[Nullified]

Nice video, very useful to see. It would be my choice to install a CV-boot under the pivot/cup to prevent road grime from getting in, if this could be screwed with a flat ring under the shiftrod the boot can be filled with grease and then no contamination will be able to get in. I wonder if CV-boots exist that are this small.
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