Problems Shifting Into 3rd Gear

[1993_325i_5 speed]

Hi guys - Just bought a 1993 325i that has issues every 10th or so shift into third.

If I jam it in there it engages. Also if i back off of it and let it back into neutral and try again it has no problem.

There is no pattern with cold/warm shifting or any other pattern that I've been able to see.

Could this be an adjustment problem? i.e., need to replace bushings, guides, etc - or does it sound more like a transmission problem (synchro related) or a cluth problem.

Also, the problem is not fully isolated to 3rd gear - it just happens most frequnetly there.... the other gears have a hard time every 30th shift or so

The best way to describe it is that I almost feel like I can't find the slot for the gear, or that I need to put the gear lever just in the right place... if it's just a mm off, it doesn't get in the right slot...

Ok - please let me know if you guys know what the issue might be. This is my first bmw and I really love it (other than this shifting issue).

Thanks,
Andrei

[DoTheDew]

do u have a clutch stop ?

[Furious]

have you ever grinded into 3rd before? you could have damaged something if so, but you would have had to grind pretty bad. maybe the guy before you could have done this.

[drz]

I had the same thing happen to me. Very likely all you need to do is replace the shifter's bushings. hey get worn with use and time. Pelican Parts sells the complete kit with all the bushings necessary; they also have a very good DIY on their site. If you can get the bushings elsewhere, I would still suggest you take a look at their writeup. Good luck. I hope that is it. Should run you just under $100 if you do it yourself.

[drz]

Oh - -and yes, it happens more often when shifting into third. For the longest time what I did was push in the clutch, shift into the fourth gear position, and then go straight up to third so I could find the grove.

[93 325i]

I would change out the tranny fluid, tranny mounts, and shift linkage bushings. All this can be done realtively cheap and afterwards your car should shift like cream corn...

[jshearer]

I had some shifting problems recently and I don't know if this is the same at all but here is a link to the post. You might find some of what people say very helpful.

http://www.bmw-forums.com/forum/inde...howtopic=29892


jshearer

[1993_325i_5 speed]

Thanks for your suggestions guys!! I found the DIY page on Pelican Parts - it is awesome!

Few other questions:

1. What is a "clutch stop"?

2. What's a good transmission oil? I understand that 325i's take ATF - what's a good synthetic brand? Is it even worth using synthetic?

3. How hard is it to change the tranny mounts? How much does this cost? Is there a way I can check if they are cracked before I replace them? Is it easier to change the mounts than the shifter bushings?

Thanks again for all your help.

Andrei

[drz]

A clutch stop is simply a thing you screw right behind your clutch pedal to stop its motion right at the engagement point, so that you do not waste precious fractions of a second pushing the clutch in all the way. They screw right where your car already has a small rubber stud behind the pedal. I've seen them in the $60 - $80. However, you can make your own with standard parts and tools for a few bucks. Search for a clutch stop DIY. I don't know about the other things.

[93 325i]

I like Redline D4 ATF for the tranny. You can get it for 9 bucs a quart at bavauto.com. You'll need 2.

As for the tranny mounts here is a DIY with all the facts and answers you'll need:
Tranny Mounts DIY