Notchy Shifting. Help Please before I spend $$

[iamapato01]

Hi everyone it's been a while since I posted my last thread and I am about to go a little deeper in trying to fix my problem. I have really notchy shifting. 1st is rough, then it clicks coming out of first and then I really have to push to get it in 2nd. 3rd is a little better, but still notchy. 4th and 5th are like 3rd.

It's a 2001 330Ci with 91k miles, stock clutch, Redline MTL transmission fluid.

I bled the clutch today because I thought maybe the clutch wasn't disengaging all the way, but there were no air bubbles and it didnt change anything. Since my engagement point is 1 inch from all the way out, and the clutch is very sensitive, I am trying to fix 2 problems at once by getting a new clutch. I looked at an OEM one for $250 from www.alloembmwparts.com/.

Do you think replacing the clutch will help my rough shifting or not?

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I also am going to put in some Royal Purple Syncromax transmission fluid while I change the clutch, because some have recommended it to smooth out shifting.


I just would like to hear some input before I go spending hundreds of dollars and the problem isnt fixed !(hope not).

[triggrhaapi]

Well the primary culprit in rough shifting is a trans oil leak. Check for that first. Try topping off the ATF in your trans and see if that fixes it. On a low mileage car, I can't imagine it'll be anything more severe than that.

Barring that, it could be that your carpet has bunched up behind your clutch pedal or that somehow your clutch isn't engaging properly. I would check the carpet first, then the trans ATF, then the clutch. In that order.

[iamapato01]

Yeah it's definitely not the carpet bunching up, and I think I would know if I had a trans oil leak (oil under car).

So I'm pretty sure I am going to replace the clutch and trans oil now at the same time.

[drz]

Do you think this is something that could be fixed changing the shifter bushings? For under $90, it is worth the try, and they are wear and tear items, anyway.

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