Shifter slop

[m3f_circuit_ic_e9caa35a59]

I just picked up an '97 M3 with a lot of slop in the shifter. I'm happy with the throw, but there's a mile of play in the shifter. Is there an upgraded shifter bushing kit that people recommend?

[m3f_propchef_a4c19a6d03]

This one. Don't even consider anything else.


http://motionmotorsport.net/products/product_info.php?cPath=22&products_id=47

[m3f_circuit_ic_e9caa35a59]

To keep the costs down, I didn't want to have to change to a short shifter kit. Would just upgrading the bushings fix it? Or is something else the source of the slop?

[m3f_fiveightan_7e37700daf]

Replace the bushings in the shift linkage and the little yellow washers in there. It's cheap and relatively easy. You can upgrade to a DSSR and/or Delrin bushings if you want to tighten it up further.


For OEM parts, get part numbers from www.realoem.com


Then go to any parts vendor and buy them. I like www.rmeuropean.com or www.getbmwparts.com for OE stuff.


There are some upgraded parts you may be interested in here if you don't want a whole SSK:

http://www.akgmotorsport.com/catalog/catalog.php?page=2&category=e36%20Shifters


That being said, I would highly recommend the BMS SSK linked above. That will get you exactly what you want. Don't forget, you bought a BMW. You have to pay to play. Just pick your battles and do your homework.

[m3f_enderw88_23d4b6eb24]

Don't forget, you bought a BMW. You have to pay to play. Just pick your battles and do your homework.



I am going to add that quote to my sig!

[m3f_circuit_ic_e9caa35a59]

Replace the bushings in the shift linkage and the little yellow washers in there. It's cheap and relatively easy. You can upgrade to a DSSR and/or Delrin bushings if you want to tighten it up further.



For OEM parts, get part numbers from www.realoem.com



So I'm not sure what part(s) typically cause the slop. Would it be:



02 BUSH BEARING OVAL L=26MM/SCHWARZ 1 25117507695 $2.93





http://www.realoem.com/bmw/showparts.do?model=BG93&mospid=47488&btnr=25_0013& hg=25&fg=05



Or something else?





Then go to any parts vendor and buy them. I like www.rmeuropean.com or www.getbmwparts.com for OE stuff.





There are some upgraded parts you may be interested in here if you don't want a whole SSK:

http://www.akgmotorsport.com/catalog/catalog.php?page=2&category=e36%20Shifters





Are the factory shifters known to get sloppy? When in gear, my shifter probably has about 3" of lateral play.

[m3f_fiveightan_7e37700daf]

So I'm not sure what part(s) typically cause the slop. Would it be:



02 BUSH BEARING OVAL L=26MM/SCHWARZ 1 25117507695 $2.93





http://www.realoem.com/bmw/showparts.do?model=BG93&mospid=47488&btnr=25_0013& hg=25&fg=05



Or something else?



Are the factory shifters known to get sloppy? When in gear, my shifter probably has about 3" of lateral play.

3" is excessive.



Replace 2, 7, 4, and all the 10's if you want to stick with OE parts and not upgrade. Have a good look at #3...people have a difficult time releasing that clip without knowing what it looks like.

[m3f_circuit_ic_e9caa35a59]

Aye, thanks.


Is Shifter Housing Bushing Set - Delrin (OVAL)

For BMW e36 (328 M3), e46 (328 330 M3), Z3 and Z4 (2.5i only)

Set of two


#SH36


An upgrade for part #2?

[m3f_drosato_04071e5bb9]

if you can swing it IMHO putting a dssr in there is worth every penny


http://www.turnermotorsport.com/c-178-bmw-dssr-uuc-double-shear-selector-rod.aspx

[m3f_circuit_ic_e9caa35a59]

if you can swing it IMHO putting a dssr in there is worth every penny



http://www.turnermotorsport.com/c-178-bmw-dssr-uuc-double-shear-selector-rod.aspx



That's exactly where I noticed a lot of the slop last night when I had the car up on the lift. the trans side of that rod was fairly tight, but there was a ton of slop at that joint.



How do I install this? I don't need to pull the trans, do I?



IIRC, it looked a bit tight up there to work on.

[m3f_Nate325_b5809ad79c]

Excessive slop is also usually associated to #14 in the diagram below


http://www.realoem.com/bmw/diagrams/j/p/227.png


This foam piece keeps everything rigid. They typically disintegrate every 3-5years. Replacing the bearing cup and plastic washers is a good start, but not generally the cause for excessive movement. I would just do it all though.


#2 is already a crap design that wiggles even when new. #4 is the same as well as the bearing cup #7 coupled with the wobble in the shift lever itself (even when new). There's nothing overly tight or precise with the stock setup.

[m3f_circuit_ic_e9caa35a59]

So basically the entire OEM setup is an epic fail.


What setup do you run? What are your thoughts on it?

[m3f_hencini_38d4e99411]

Agreed that the foam disc is the main source of slop. It's frustrating. And 3-5 years is generous. Mine was noticeably less tight after about a year. Not sure if there's a more durable material that would work in that application.



Speaking of more durable, I put in Delrin bushings in place of #2. HUGE difference. Slightly more vibration in 2nd, but you get used to it quickly. Or at least I did. :clueless:

[m3f_Nate325_b5809ad79c]

So basically the entire OEM setup is an epic fail.


What setup do you run? What are your thoughts on it?


Cal's (Bear Motorsports) SSK is supposed to be great. I run a Getrag 6-speed so I can't use Cal's kit. Cal addresses a lot of the slop with much better components and he also crimps the sloppy portion of the stock shifter. I believe his kit still relies on that stock shift rod selector joint that the foam must be fresh on.


I run stock and keep a bag of those foam discs around to do every few years. Like Hencini I also will be converting to delrin in a few places as well as crimping another lever I'm swapping in. Stock is good, but only when fresh.

[m3f_drosato_04071e5bb9]

That's exactly where I noticed a lot of the slop last night when I had the car up on the lift. the trans side of that rod was fairly tight, but there was a ton of slop at that joint.



How do I install this? I don't need to pull the trans, do I?



IIRC, it looked a bit tight up there to work on.



Its a PITA to get to but its doable with the car up on stands. You need to drop your midpipe and good luck getting to it with the driveshaft still in. I dropped mine and it cleared up enough room for me to get up in there. your just working blind.