Shifter disconnected from trans, weird pin - BMW Forum

RichMac · 04-22-2009, 10:57 PM

So, I hate to make a first post on a forum a question, but this isn't my bmw, borrowing it from my brother in law for the month. Was driving the other day and the shifter came loose, a look under the car has an arm that will pivot up, with a pin that should be attaching to the transmission, I don't know what to make of the pin that holds this in place. It doesn't go all the way through the hole, it's tappered at the end, and has a depression all the way around a little ways from the end. I'm assuming something else sticks in from the other side and locks it into place? Any ideas what this is called?

I drew a nifty diagram if incase my explanation is lacking.

RichMac · 04-22-2009, 11:21 PM

Ok, so after a bunch more digging, it looks like it's a 'circlip'

Do I need the circlip pliers to put a new one on? or will this thing compress in one direction but not pop back out?

drz · 04-22-2009, 11:45 PM

No special tools needed. You can get replacement circlips from pelicanparts.com. Good luck!

SHAHAB323IS · 04-23-2009, 06:40 PM

does it look like this?

or this?

When I changed out all my shift bushings, I let my buddy who was helping me squeeze that last circlip on, needless to say I made it a couple miles from my house the next day and as I started to take off from a stoplight shifted from first to second and before it made it into second gear the circlip gave out and the shifter was just flopping around. Yeah that was fun. lol

It's amazing how a little circlip holds all that together. Btw you should be able to take them off with a simple flat head screw driver and then you can just push them on by hand when you reinstall them and also make sure they're on there securely or you'll be left stranded like I was.

Shadetree · 04-23-2009, 10:52 PM

Here is a diagram of the entire linkage...

You are most likely missing that cir-clip (part 11). What model is this?
Do make sure that you give that clip a little squeeze with needle-nose pliers when it is installed (just for good measure)

RichMac · 04-24-2009, 11:12 AM

Thanks for the replys guys

Yea, the rod (9) is hanging loose right now. I'm a little confused about the clip though, as that diagram has it coming in from the other side. The pin at the end of the rod doesn't extend all the way through that hole. (12)

I'm just about to run down to napa and try and grab a new clip 25-11-7-571-899 and some washers and try and fumble through this.

SHAHAB323IS · 04-24-2009, 11:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RichMac

Thanks for the replys guys

Yea, the rod (9) is hanging loose right now. I'm a little confused about the clip though, as that diagram has it coming in from the other side. The pin at the end of the rod doesn't extend all the way through that hole. (12)

I'm just about to run down to napa and try and grab a new clip 25-11-7-571-899 and some washers and try and fumble through this.

Napa has those clips? The end of the shifter rod is supposed to extend through the bottom of the shift lever. It's not a lot, but enough to get that circlip on with a washer. If yours isn't, you have a bigger problem than just a missing circlip.

This might help you out a bit.

Pelican Technical Article: Replacing BMW Shift Bushings

RichMac · 04-24-2009, 01:36 PM

Thanks, that link really helped see how it's put together and how the clips work. The pin doesn't go through the whole, but it's not sheered or anything. I pulled out the rod and both ends are teh same size |____|... I'm wondering if someone didn't put the wrong rod in there.

Also, napa doesn't have those clips, neither does lordco, I thought one of them would, but ended up going to bmw to grab them. I might run back down there and see if they have a stock rod that would be longer on one end than the one I pulled out.