RE: Short Shifter

[Ken Dobyns <kend@xxxxxxxxxxx>]

Andy wrote, in part:

>Also, even assuming that a slightly 
>different "angle of attack" to the selector shaft than stock is gonna wreak 
>havoc, please note that when you lower the pivot point of the shift lever, 
>you can bend the selector rod anyway you want, and the "angle of attack" 
>will still be the same as if the rod was straight - the only thing you do 
>is change the route taken to the selector shaft.  Facts please, and to you 
>disciples - not offence meant.

No offence taken, but the fact is that this statement is incorrect. Since 
the transmission selector rod is a pinned joint at both ends, the "angle" 
through which the forces are applied to the gear selector shaft is 
strictly a function of the location of the ends of the selector rod. The 
shape of the selector rod is immaterial to the force calculations. 
Lowering the bottom of the shift lever definitely increases the forces 
acting on the gear selector shaft. I can't say for sure if this is a 
reliability problem, but I feel much better with the ERK in place to 
minimize this effect.


Ken Dobyns
Portland, OR
98 M3 (my ride)
83 320i (my daughter's ride)
97 Odyssey (my wife's ride)

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