Shift selector seal replacement

[chicaneS54]

Does anyone have any tips on how to remove the shift selector seal pictured here?

I have been fooling with this thing for an hour and it's not budging.

Not my pic!

[carsnplanes]

Unless I'm missin' something obvious, looks like it should just slide out towards you, no? Looks like its out of it's boss already. If this is not yours pictured here and your seal is still in the recess, then not sure. Hard to tell on that one if there is some kind of hole or indentation for removal purposes. Maybe someone who has done this can chime in.
Sometimes a special tool is needed to slide under the rubber seal and catch on a lip behind. You then pull or use a slide hammer type tool attached to it.

[pldlnr]

No special process here. I just went through this job. I used a small screw driver and just kept at it until I was able to catch the edge and pull it out.

If that is your seal, just slide it off the shaft. You should invest in the Bentley e28 manual, it covers all of these types of jobs.

[chicaneS54]

Updated post, that is NOT my pic. Sorry.

[pldlnr]

Yeah, just find a small screwdriver or some kind of tool that will allow you to hook that seal and work it out. It is kind of a pain in the ass, but you'll get it. Just try not to score the walls where the seal sits.

[Bert Poliakoff]

++1 on that. I had to dig mine out using a pick and a small screw driver. I don't believe there is any other way. It was frustrating, but did come out eventually

[rem83]

yeah, try a pick set, but this is really like the worst piece of shit in the world to have to replace. I think my e30 was sitting on jacks for a few weeks as i went in, tried digging at it with something, gave up, tried something else, gave up, etc... i didn't even try on my e24 when i did the shifter. i think i just about had to completely destroy it to get it out.

[Bert Poliakoff]

You do have to destroy it to get it out. It is just a pissy rubber seal. Good thing is the new one went right in. More superior German engineering!!

[rem83]

the problem with destroying it when removing it is that you have to avoid putting any heavy gouges into either of the surfaces it seals against. there's also quite a bit of metal in it which makes it even more difficult to break and remove.

really bmw, would it have been that difficult to put little tabs on the seal you could use for pulling it out?

[chicaneS54]

The Pelican Parts site made it sound like it was a piece of cake and as long as you are under there, you might as well go ahead and replace it. Well let me assure you I can see after tearing into it that it is not a piece of cake but a real PITA, and now I have to go to harbor freight tomorrow and buy a cheap pick set because all I have is one crappy pick. Let me ask would penetrating oil help at all because this thing is hard as a rock.


I am done for the day on this thing.

[euroshark]

You might be able to find a small seal removal tool. They have hooked ends that curve back to grab on and yank them out. It might have to be pretty tiny for that little guy though...

[chicaneS54]

You might be able to find a small seal removal tool. They have hooked ends that curve back to grab on and yank them out. It might have to be pretty tiny for that little guy though...

I already have a seal removal tool. It is not going to fit in that small space up within the tranny tunnel, at least not enough to give any kind of leverage.

[Mike323i]

Stick with small screwdrivers. I've found that the tips of small picks break off surprisingly easily when used to pry things too hard. My fear has been that the tip would break off and end up in the trans.

[rem83]

i bought my pick set from sears, craftsman branded. it might be a few $ cheaper at harbor freight, but it's only $8 at sears, so you won't be saving that much going to hf.

[chicaneS54]

The question is HOW do you tackle it with whatever tool. Do you try to go in from the inner seal portion or the outer seal portion? That thing is hard as a rock I don't see much play to wiggle a tool in and how do you work the shaft in and out does the clutch have to be depressed?

[rem83]

try to dig into it, hook it and pull it out. eventually after doing this enough, you'll probably break it into multiple pieces, which is when you're close to getting it out.

only problem is - once you start tearing into it, then you REALLY need to replace it.

[Bert Poliakoff]

Chicane, mostly use a pocket type, flat blade screw driver. Get it between the seal and the case and start collapsing it. It took me a good 1/2 hour to get mine out, and that was with the trans on my work bench. You just have to keep diddling with it.

[alpinacsi]

Just leave it in place and use a new one on top of the old. You will then have a double seal and be done with it.

[chicaneS54]

Just leave it in place and use a new one on top of the old. You will then have a double seal and be done with it.

Nope, not doing that but thanks.

[pldlnr]

Nope, not doing that but thanks.

Why? There tons of people who have done it for years with great success.

[alpinacsi]

Nope, not doing that but thanks.

No problem. But with the way that all of these threads are going and the questions that have been asked about a simple task; I have to wonder if you are at risk of damaging the shaft trying to wrestle the old seal out. If you happen to scratch or gouge the shaft, you will be in much worse shape than you are now. It could also be suggested to install the new seal at a slightly different depth to ensure that it rest on an unworn area of the shaft.

And engaging or disengaging the clutch will have no bearing on the operation of the shifter or selector shaft while the engine is not turning.

[86GT635]

Well, that is a good idea. I like that. Almost no chance of boogering anything up. but if you ever wanted to get that seal back out, would be much harder than before.

Was funny to read chicane's response.

[alpinacsi]

I believe this has already been mention on one of the many threads but I have a dedicated tool for small seal removal: a small but long thin blade Craftsman screwdriver that I have ground a notch in. I tap the seal in on one side and sometimes it will pop out on the other. If not, I continue tapping and drive the screwdriver through the seal and use the notch to hook the seal to pull/pry it out. I think that it is a 15mm socket that I use to tap the new seal in place.

[chicaneS54]

Why? There tons of people who have done it for years with great success.

Well I have already started picking at it for one so I do not know what kind of condition it is in.

No problem. But with the way that all of these threads are going and the questions that have been asked about a simple task;

Dude if it were a simple task, I would have stuck a screwdriver in and popped it out. And if you bothered to read other posts many agree with me that it is indeed NOT a simple task to remove, especially when the tranny is still in the car. Not to mention one of the suggestions is to just beat in the old seal. Another indication that it is NOT a simple task.

I believe this has already been mention on one of the many threads but I have a dedicated tool for small seal removal: a small but long thin blade Craftsman screwdriver that I have ground a notch in. I tap the seal in on one side and sometimes it will pop out on the other. If not, I continue tapping and drive the screwdriver through the seal and use the notch to hook the seal to pull/pry it out. I think that it is a 15mm socket that I use to tap the new seal in place.

Can I PLEASE see a pic of this magical tool. I will try anything at this point.

[rem83]

Well, that is a good idea. I like that. Almost no chance of boogering anything up. but if you ever wanted to get that seal back out, would be much harder than before.

Was funny to read chicane's response.

eh, if that really worked, you'd still only have to remove the outer seal next time. dunno if the original seal that you left on could possibly interfere with shift fork operation, though. i personally wouldn't do it that way.