HELP! major 328i gearbox problem

[skytiger]

Hi,
Can anyone help with the following please?
1997 e36 328i coupe manual.
I was redlinin in 3rd the other day and when I went to slam it into 4th something went very wrong. Now the throw on the gearstick is very long and I can only just get into gear if i push the gearstick all the way forwards or backwards. I can get all gears but they only just click in. its like having the opposite of a shortshifter.
thanks
Matt

[seven]

Possible bent shift linkage or worst case bent or broken shift forks in the tranny

[nukeduster]

Originally Posted by seven

Possible bent shift linkage or worst case bent or broken shift forks in the tranny

+1

or busted shifter bushing

[skytiger]

OK I sorted it.
It's not easy to describe but I'll try:
Removing the gearstick gator, sound proofing and rubber seal I found the gearstick pivot bush which was fine. The metal bush housing was moving about far too much for my liking. It runs forwards and back. I jacked up the car and got underneath, I followed the bush housing forward to discover that its locating bolt had come out. I Lined up the holes, and found a long enough nut and bolt to fit the hole. All is ok again now
PHEW!!! I was a bit worried there for a bit and had visions of new gearboxes which would have really pi**ed me off as I had to rebuild a gearbox on the girlfriends Saab 9000 aero just back in January.

[AlpineSixAndSeven]

Glad you found the issue.... just tighten eveything down there and add lock washers... just to prevent this again