Welcome to Magazine Premium

You can change this text in the options panel in the admin

There are tons of ways to configure Magazine Premium... The possibilities are endless!

Member Login

Lost your password?

Not a member yet? Sign Up!

How to fix a sloppy and worn E30 shifter and make it tighter then original (video included)

March 1, 2013
By

By design E30 shifters are doomed to go sloppy over time because the materials that keep it tight are made out of things like rubber and hard plastic.

Here is the no-bullshit way of getting that shifter tight again.

shifter e30 sloppy

 

You will need parts 6 and 13 from the dealer. Part 2 from a third party, and possibly a new shift lever only if the inner bushing is worn out (mine was in great shape even though the rod joint was worn to all hell).

 

Number 13 is part number 25 11 7 503 525, do NOT get the aftermarket MTC unit, it is build like crap, the holes do not line up for the pin and the horizontal tube portion is welded slightly off axis. This joint changed in 8/89 to be symmetrical, the asymmetrical pre 89 version is still available (although different part number), however you will need the newer version if you are following my steps. Both joints are completely interchangeable on our transmissions. If you are using OEM selector rods then you must match the same time period rod with the same time period joint. We will be changing the rod so you will need the newer style joint.

 

e30 shifter joint

 

Number 6 is part number 25 11 1 220 600, this part can be ordered from third parties (make sure its brand name SKF), or from the dealer.

 

shifter bushing e30

 

The next thing you will need will be a dual sheer selector rod or they are also called DTM style selector rod (DSSR for short). It will replace part 10 on the diagram. These units are roughly $120-130 dollars but they make all the difference. Essentially the DSSR grips both the shifter and the joint from both sides, not allowing for the side to side play that is allowed by the OEM design. The OEM design only grips the shifter and the joint from one side and thus not only is it sloppy to begin with but it also wears away the plastic bushings inside the joint and shifter over time.

 

I recommend getting a DSSR from a supplier who does not require the use of bushings at the mounting points. Some companies require the reuse of the yellow spacers that go on either side of the mounting pins. This is completely unnecessary and those bushings will wear over time, it is best to have no bushings and a very tight fit so it never wears out.

 

dssr e30

 

IMG_0173

 

As you can see here stock only holds from one side:

 

OEM e30 selector rod

 

The last thing you will need will be derlin bushings that will replace the rubber bushings on your shifter carrier (#2 on the diagram). The OEM design uses a rubber insert that flexes under load, this is solved by using derlin that has virtually no give.

 

shifter_bushings e30

 

This combination has produced this result for me:

 

6 Responses to How to fix a sloppy and worn E30 shifter and make it tighter then original (video included)

  1. nick miller on September 20, 2018 at 6:30 pm

    Hi there. Thanks for this article. My shifter has ridiculous slop. I have a 1988 325ix that is a bit different. Will this method still work?

  2. admin on September 27, 2018 at 9:18 pm

    Yes it will still work, however, the IX has a different length selector rod, so make sure you get the appropriate length.

    Such as:
    https://store.garagistic.com/e30-325ix-dssr-190mm

  3. Mike on November 29, 2018 at 10:24 pm

    Hello, I have a 1985 BMW 325E. The shifter started to get sloppy and then it locked up. I was able to unlock it by moving it with some force. Anyway, it is not going into any gears. Do I need to get a new shifter kit or a linkage rod. Thanks for helping.

  4. admin on December 30, 2018 at 8:36 pm

    Likely the linkage rod clip indicated as item 12 in the diagram has fallen off. Best to check and confirm.

  5. tom pullizzi on July 8, 2020 at 9:49 am

    hi!
    I need part #11 in the diagram of this ‘sloppy shifter’ article. Do you sell it, or where can I get it best

    Thank you, great photos and article.
    tom

  6. tom pullizzi on July 8, 2020 at 9:50 am

    oops, my car is BMW 325 2.7. I guess that makes it the 325e
    thanks
    tom

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *



About us

Admin@rtsauto.com

18 visitors online now
7 guests, 11 bots, 0 members
Max visitors today: 47 at 02:51 am UTC
This month: 192 at 03-12-2024 12:17 am UTC
This year: 514 at 01-19-2024 07:18 pm UTC
All time: 514 at 01-19-2024 07:18 pm UTC