Author Topic: Shifting and stuff (Read 3924 times)

magnum2066 · « **on:** March 21, 2007, 01:45:03 PM »

Lately I've been running into severe transmission problems. I think I got the sloppy shifting nailed (thanks to Alpine), but I still have a clutch issue.

When I press in the clutch pedal, sometimes it takes a second to release which usually causes me to grind gears horribly... I know it takes a second because I can hear and feel a *thunk* when it happens. I recall putting in 75-90 weight oil by accident, which I drained before running the car again and refilled with ATF like it should have been. Should I just get a tranny flush? Would this most likely fix the issue? I also think my tranny fluid is low because I didn't properly fill it which I believe is the culprit for all the damn thunking in my transmission. (Drain, fill, start, shutoff, fill more, start, then go. I skipped the topping off part...) Suggestions?

I brought it to a shop today, and they tried charging me 247$ for a new linkage and shifter since that and the ball socket are worn... Which doesn't sound very good... Would just swapping out my shifter with a B&M short shifter fix that?

Jimmy Lewis · « **Reply #1 on:** March 21, 2007, 07:24:40 PM »

Does your slave cylinder leak at all? If it doesn't look to be leaking, then bleed it and see if it fixes it. Mine leaked, not too bad, but noticable. Once I bled the new slave it was great, perfect shifts, it literally felt like driving a shifter cart. I had the exact same grinding problems and after about 2 weeks of that the change was insane, I went out and drove the car all day with a smile on my face. Goodluck!

silverblades181 · « **Reply #2 on:** March 21, 2007, 09:29:57 PM »

Sounds more like a clutch problem then a tranmission problem. Bleed your slave cylinder, check if the pedal's endplay is ok (if it's adjustable), check your master cylinder's fluid level. If this doesn't help then either your clutch is dead or your pressure plate isn't working properly. If your clutch doesnt disengage properly then you're going to destroy your synchros. Once you know everything's working properly in the clutch, start checking the tranmission if the problem persists.

b318isp · « **Reply #3 on:** March 22, 2007, 07:49:10 AM »

Sounds like you may have a failing pressure plate. If the mileage is high or it gets a lot of street use, it may be time for a replacement.

magnum2066 · « **Reply #4 on:** March 22, 2007, 08:43:29 AM »

The clutch seems to only have problems when shifting into gears, not out.

Getting back to the worn bushings and stuff, will the short shifter get rid of the horrid wiggle? When its in gear I can move the shifter a good 3-5in left and right...

I'll probably bring my car out to my grandparent's place to tinker around a while to see what can be done. Thanks for the help guys.

Alpine003 · « **Reply #5 on:** March 22, 2007, 08:48:37 AM »

The easy checks are to check for visual leaking at the slave cylinder if you jack up the drivers side and take a peek next to the tranny. As for the master cylinder, you can just pull back your carpeting around your pedals and see if there is any fluid or wet spots. I would also bleed it if you have old fluid in there.

As for the shifting, just replacing the stock with ssk might not help. You'll need to inspect your bushings on the shift mechanism itself. Often times, it's the bushings that causing the slop.

http://www.realoem.com/bmw/showparts.do?model=AF93&mospid=47305&btnr=25_0026&hg=25&fg=05

#15,12,2 generally help with the slop.

silverblades181 · « **Reply #6 on:** March 23, 2007, 03:26:08 PM »

Quote from: magnum2066;21993

The clutch seems to only have problems when shifting into gears, not out.

Getting back to the worn bushings and stuff, will the short shifter get rid of the horrid wiggle? When its in gear I can move the shifter a good 3-5in left and right...

I'll probably bring my car out to my grandparent's place to tinker around a while to see what can be done. Thanks for the help guys.

You can get out of gear without even clutching. The point of the clutch is to disengage the mainshaft so that it can turn freely so that the synchro can synchronise the speed between the free gear and the shaft. So having problems getting into gear is a clutch problem.

gearheadE30 · « **Reply #7 on:** March 24, 2007, 07:07:07 AM »

The noise may be a throwout bearing

3-5 inches of slop is a lot, you definityely need new bushings. If your pressure plate is bad, which it sounds like it is, an ssk will probably make it worse.

magnum2066 · « **Reply #8 on:** March 25, 2007, 06:13:42 PM »

I installed the SSK, and WOW! Crispy like potato chips.

So installing the shifter reduced about 95% of the slop. I was all happy with glee until I tried to put on the retainer ring. My stomach just crept up on me when I heard a *kashink!* and the clip was no longer in my grasp. 20 minutes later my uncle strolled out with a huge assortment of "e" clips which fixed that particular issue. When he slapped that clip on he noticed something.

"Why does this round black thing have chunks missing out of it?"

I immediately knew it was the guibo... Oh well, a project for another day huh?

Quick question on guibos (will search after this post) if I'm replacing the guibo what else do I need and/or should do or replace while I'm under there? I've noticed a leak from my transmission drain plug so maybe I should replace the plug and seal?

Febi Guibo · « **Reply #9 on:** March 25, 2007, 06:58:00 PM »

do new bolts and nuts with the new guibo (make sure its a febi guibo...)

um... while yer down there, check the driveshaft for play at the joint, and I suppose to the center support bearing. Exhaust hangers are worth a look too.