By disconnected bottom you mean the clip right?
Keep rotating the plastic cup and it will come out.
Don't bother tugging, once it's lose it will come out with ease.
i just did this last night and the easiest way to pop the old plastic cup out which allows you to remove the shifter is to use a long flathead screwdriver to simultaneously push up from underneath the car as you rotate it counter clockwise. this is done in the same motion and the cup/shifter will pop up when you get about 1/4 rotation. make sure when you install the new shifter with the new plastic cup that you do the opposite motion from the top. push down on the actual shifter as you rotate clockwise and it will pop into place
thursday project when mine arrives this is exciting
Out of curiosity, do you have any pictures of the stock shifter next to the 545i shifter?
Current:
1992 535iA
2000 540i/6 sport
Past:
1990 535iA (R.I.P.)
1994 325i/5 (Sold)
OP's link to the part says it's out of stock. Any suggestion where else to purchase the kit?
this page has everything you need
http://bavauto.com/shop.asp
edit: when you go to this page, choose a 2007 550 (e60), click on "clutch, trans, driveline", then "transmission", then "manual linkage and hardware", and its all there
Last edited by alpinweib; 03-09-2013 at 01:24 AM.
Hands down one of the best things i've done to my 540. It's definitely 100x easier to do with the driveshaft and exhaust off. But its still absolutely manageable with everything intact.
Now I just need to pick up a new shift nob since the plastic inside mine cracked and now it flies off sometimes under spirited driving. anybody have any good recommendations besides the ZHP? If nothing else comes up ill end up ordering it but if I can find a cheaper alternative I'm open to suggestions.
I did this mod on Tuesday. It took less than hour from start to finish.
I didn't realize how sloppy the old shifter was until I compared it to the new one (172k miles).
I wish I would have went with the 6 speed knob, I could always use another gear.
Great write up. Will def. do this soon.
Great write up Op! Definitely on my to do list...
just ordered my 545 shift kit from ecs its awesome comes with the weighted ZHP knob! will be done as soon as i get the parts!
http://www.ecstuning.com/BMW-E39-540...ort/ES2581003/
Yesturday i decided to snag the e90 335i 6 speed shift lever from one of our wrecked parts cars and see how it fits in my e39 530i. IT FITS GREAT! Short shifts and shorter lever. Today im going to throw some 75w-90 royal purple in the and see how she does.
I didnt have time to take comparison pics and from what i know no one has done and talked about it because i couldnt find anything on it.
e39 530i
E90 335 6speed
How did the e90 shifter work out for you? Was considering trying one in my 540i 6 speed. Anybody already tried this?
Wow, I cant believe what difference! There was a bunch of slop in shifting, certain RPM would make the stick vibrate, I would punch my drink in the cup holder when shifting ... all that's gone with SSK from ECS Tuning (Short Shift Kit With ZHP Knob - 6 Speed
ES#: 2581003) I make up reasons to go drive somewhere now ... fun restored.
Used this DIY and the ECS Tuning kit w/ ZHP last night. Took longer to jack the car up and find my worklight (I'd put it in the wife's SUV when it snowed) than it did to swap the parts.
This is EASY. If you're holding off because you're concerned it is too much, don't. If you need different pictures, I'll uninstall and reinstall mine to get them. It's that easy. I did not have the driveshaft or exhaust off.
Comments:
- Let the exhaust cool. You will be up close and personal with it.
- The sleeve with the 10mm bolt was not on my lever.
- To rotate the bushing - both for removal and installation - release the circlip and fork underneath first, this removes pressure from the bushing. When removing the old bushing, if it sticks, or falls apart (mine did), rotate the lever so that the horizontal bushing underneath grabs the ball bushing, and pull up/rotate simultaneously.
- Circlip install. I wore the rubber coated mesh gloves during most of the removal / install, but for the Circlip, I took them off. That little bit of extra dexterity helped me not drop the clip, and get it snapped on easily. Don't let it fool you, it "snaps" twice. Once when the clip goes over the pin, the second when the "hook" or secondary clip grips the end of the pin.
Question, how is everyone installing the rubber boot? That was the most difficult part of this. Thinking about using some kind of grease/lube to get it seated fully.
what part/bushing is responsible for all the slop in the shifter? Currently in idle and out of gear between 3-4, the shifter can move side-to-side about an inch. Do I replace the bushings on the selector rod or shifting arm or something else? I have the e60 shifter but i want to get everything I need first so I don't go into the car multiple times.
'98 M3 5spd - '03 540it 6spd M-Sport
This bushing was totally shot on mine:
http://www.ecstuning.com/BMW-E39-540...fter/ES215953/
I would get another circlip also:
http://www.ecstuning.com/BMW-E39-540...fter/ES254614/
Mine had similar slop to yours, maybe worse. Is the e60 lever new?
Great instruction. Is it applicable for E34 540i/6 (Getrag 420) as well? What else can be done to improve shifting (you know how these 420s are).
Gotta figure out if it's in the linkage or the tranny. The fundamental balkyness of the 420G when it starts to get worn can't truly be fixed. Couple sequential fluid changes could help. A fancy gear oil like royalpurple or redline may or may not help. RP is good in warm weather climates but OEM or redline might be better when it gets cold. Search. There's lots of stuff on it. I've tried some moly additive per some tuners recommendations... minimal change if anything.
2003 M3CicM6 TiAg
2002 540iT Sport Vortech S/C 6MT LSD TiAg
2008 Audi A3 2.0T DSG (the daily beater)
2014 BMW X1 xDrive28i (wifemobile)
Former:
1985 MB Euro graymarket 300SL
1995.5 Audi S6 Avant (utility/winter billetturbobattlewagen)
-Chris
2001 530i sport 5-MT 125k miles | Michelin pilot sport all-season 2 | Mobile 1 5w-30 synthetic high-mileage
Audiovox silverline DUO iPod/iPhone adapter
Black-out grill (ok, it's plasti-dip)
LED conversions: angel eyes, DRLs, rear license plate lights
ZHP weighted shift knob
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