95 E36 M3 5 Speed Reverse Grind

[fbmbirds]

Hello,

I just got finished installing the UUC DSSR and went to back the car out from under my house and reverse would not work it just grinded and popped back into neutral. I've never had an issue with reverse before today so It's just a coincidence that it's having issue now right after the DSSR install.

Gears 1-5 shift fine but its reverse that's acting up, any ideas as to way this is happening and how I could fix it?

The real grinding can be heard at the very end of this video.

[fbmbirds]

Quick Update.

My car was made in 02/95 and I ordered this one https://www.ecstuning.com/b-uuc-part...r-rod/dssr198/ which is for my E36.

I went back down jacked the car up and reinstalled my old selector rod and now Reverse works just fine.

So why would my reverse gear grind and not stay engaged with the UUC DSSR?

Also wanted to add that I noticed the reverse lights are not coming on when the UUC DSSR is installed. So thats telling me Im not able to fully engage reverse with it installed, could this be happening because I have a Dinan SSK installed?

[dworthy]

I would wonder if it wasn't fully engaging into Reverse gear. Yes a shift lever can do that if it isn't the correct one. How much were you banging the center console to get it into reverse with the DSSR? Lastly did you change the shift lever as part of the kit?

[bmwdirtracer]

Is this working length of the new selector rod EXACTLY the same as your stock one?

[fbmbirds]

I would wonder if it wasn't fully engaging into Reverse gear. Yes a shift lever can do that if it isn't the correct one. How much were you banging the center console to get it into reverse with the DSSR? Lastly did you change the shift lever as part of the kit?

It never fully went into reverse and Ive had the short shifter installed for a few months now.

- - - Updated - - -

Is this working length of the new selector rod EXACTLY the same as your stock one?

Yep its the exact same size, the old selector rod was able to line up directly and fit into the DSSR holes.

[bmwdirtracer]

Because it was able to line up does NOT mean it's exactly the same length. You can install another selector rod that's 1/2" shorter - it will reach -- but it won't select reverse gear. The UUC DSSR also has a particular orientation, as does the stock piece, by the way.

[fbmbirds]

Because it was able to line up does NOT mean it's exactly the same length. You can install another selector rod that's 1/2" shorter - it will reach -- but it won't select reverse gear. The UUC DSSR also has a particular orientation, as does the stock piece, by the way.

The UUC DSSR I got does not have a particular orientation. Per the documentation Step 3 states the straight versions do not have a front or rear, either way is correct.

I bought mine from ECS tuning and its the correct length for my car.

[bmwdirtracer]

I would highly recommend that you measure it anyway. It started at UUC....and, um, they are known for mistakes. Then it went to ECS, who aren't exactly perfect either.

There's a 198mm showing for an E36, and a 189mm, for a different production range, with the separation a couple of months from yours. Suppose someone swapped gearboxes on your car? Maybe UUC mispackaged it?

There really are not many possible causes here, especially since you swapped your old unit back, and it worked. It seems to me that the DSSR is clearly the trouble, is it not?

[fbmbirds]

I would highly recommend that you measure it anyway. It started at UUC....and, um, they are known for mistakes. Then it went to ECS, who aren't exactly perfect either.

There's a 198mm showing for an E36, and a 189mm, for a different production range, with the separation a couple of months from yours. Suppose someone swapped gearboxes on your car? Maybe UUC mispackaged it?

There really are not many possible causes here, especially since you swapped your old unit back, and it worked. It seems to me that the DSSR is clearly the trouble, is it not?

Quick update,

I adjusted the Dinan short shifter to allow for a slightly longer throw and now everything works like it should. Im gonna go out on a limb here and say it was due to the very short throw of the shifter.

Either way everything is working and the DSSR is installed. Overall it feels good even if I had to lengthen the throw of my shifter.