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Gear lever play
Posted: Sun Oct 09, 2022 7:57 pm
by mcjjordan
So i have a 323i 5 speed box on my m52 & the play is getting real bad.
Ive already stripped the linkage & removed all the play from that.
The play is left to right movement only
Seems to be the coupling on the end of selector shaft isnt a tight fit . Its a new coupling & pin but the hole in which the pin goes seems a very loose fit.
Is it possible to ream the hole out & fit a larger diameter pin or is the shaft easily replaceable?
Re: Gear lever play
Posted: Sun Oct 09, 2022 8:09 pm
by uwbuurman
You'll need the new foaminsert aswell. Did you get that? BMWnumber 25111434194
And fitting a larger pin is the way to go, but be aware that the hole and pin are conical. Goes in from one side only.
Re: Gear lever play
Posted: Mon Oct 10, 2022 5:55 pm
by BertjeConti
I've done it, shaft and coupling are hardened steel, impossible to ream the holes with a drillbit, use a fine grindbit instead.
Access to the shaft hole is also a p.i.t.a. while gearbox is still in the car.
For the pin i used the shaft of a 6.5mm drillbit.
Re: Gear lever play
Posted: Thu Oct 13, 2022 12:08 am
by mcjjordan
My pin you push in one side and it pops out the other side….
Re: Gear lever play
Posted: Thu Oct 13, 2022 7:12 am
by Wilmo
It is a silly construction. The hole doesn't do anything in stability, the play is taken care of by the sides. So you need to fill up the gap and close it with the retaining ring. BMW-stuff won't last there very well, with the o-rings and stuff, the way to go is either redesign the whole thing, or to make some copper rings that fit exactly. One ring on one side, another one at the other and a third ring that you make to the right thickness so that the retaining ring juuuuust fits on.
Re: Gear lever play
Posted: Thu Oct 13, 2022 7:39 am
by BertjeConti
Wilmo wrote: Thu Oct 13, 2022 7:12 am
It is a silly construction. The hole doesn't do anything in stability, the play is taken care of by the sides. So you need to fill up the gap and close it with the retaining ring. BMW-stuff won't last there very well, with the o-rings and stuff, the way to go is either redesign the whole thing, or to make some copper rings that fit exactly. One ring on one side, another one at the other and a third ring that you make to the right thickness so that the retaining ring juuuuust fits on.
Or replace the whole construction for a universal joint as used in a steering column.
Re: Gear lever play
Posted: Tue Feb 18, 2025 8:29 pm
by mcjjordan
Still got this problem- but gearbox is coming out this year.
Anyone got anymore suggestions on how i can rectify the play in the pin
Re: Gear lever play
Posted: Wed Feb 19, 2025 1:29 pm
by Jeroen
Are you sure the pin is the culprit? Could there be some play in the gearbox itself for example?