Re: Standard Transmission & Shifter?

["Christian Mulherin" <jazzreef@xxxxxxxxx>]

Thanks for the prompt diagnosis.
I guess there's just nothing
simple about working on these
[pining here for good old American wheels].

Is there anyone that you might be able to
recommend in San Francisco (or nearby)
to take care of this?  I'd be especially
interested in someone who has a good eye
for spotting any other mechanical flaws
along the way, hopefully anticipating future
problems or breakdowns (i.e., pro-active vs. reactive).

Of course, the other difficulty seems to be finding
a mechanic who still repairs earlier models like this.
  ----- Original Message -----
  From: Nate Smith
  To: Christian Mulherin
  Sent: Sunday, August 04, 2002 9:43 PM
  Subject: Re: Standard Transmission & Shifter?


  your shifter problem is the external shift linkage support plate has come
  loose from its mounts on the back of the transmission.  This linkage
support
  plate mounts at the back of the transmission through "silentbloc" bushings.
  The bolts doing the mounting may have backed out, or the bushings
themselves
  may have worn out/broken, or the sheet metal of the shift support plate may
  have cracked.

  The shifter pivot point is no longer stable, so it becomes very hard to get
  into 2nd and 4th, and very hard to get out of the other gears.

  It's a little hard to get to, due to the exhaust and the driveshaft being
in
  the way.  One there, the repairs are minor.  But because of reduced access,
  I'd expect $200 or $250 as a repair cost.

      - Nate
  Nate Smith
  Optimal Auto Care - BMW
  2335 Soquel Drive
  Santa Cruz, CA  95065
  831-476-1332
  831-476-1567 fax
  nate@domain.elided
  ----- Original Message -----
  From: "Christian Mulherin" <jazzreef@domain.elided>
  To: <bmw-digest@domain.elided>
  Sent: Sunday, August 04, 2002 7:49 PM
  Subject: Standard Transmission & Shifter?


  > My 1979 528i has always been somewhat difficult to slide into gear.
  > Since it's my first Bimmer, I wasn't sure if this was normal.
  >
  > Suddenly it's become abnormally hard to shift in and out of gears,
  > very nearly freezing, especially for gear positions 2nd and 4th,
  > which are also exceedingly difficult to find in the lower shaft
positions,
  > since there is virtually no slack left on the "lower" side,
  > Of course, Reverse is also difficult to get out of.
  > It's as if the whole shifter assembly has simply skewed south,
  > but it definitely feels more mechanical.  There is a definite loss
  > of play w/in the Neutral area, which now feels like a tightly restricted
  > band,
  > as difficult to move into as out of (i.e., into gear).
  >
  > Unsure whether this could be related or in any case been a source of
  > mechanical stress leading to the current dire condition, but once in a
  great
  > while
  > I must reach down with the edge of my foot to pull up the
  > clutch pedal.  Afterwards it works fine for the remainder
  > of the trip.  It's as if there might be air in the fluid line,
  > but I don't notice anything peculiar about the brakes which share the
same
  > fluid.
  > Are their hydraulic systems nevertheless separate?  In every other way,
  > the clutch works fine at engaging/disengaging.  It only loses some
  disengaging
  > control
  > when the pedal appears to lose range of movement in the way I described.
  >
  > For now I'm most concerned about the restricted shifter movement.
  > Worried about the transmission of course, but unsure about the actual
  > problem.
  > Am barely able to drive as it is, and afraid to exacerbate the problem
  > further
  > and find myself stranded.  Can someone please offer their diagnosis or a
  > qualified resource in San Francisco at a very *reasonable* cost?
  >
  > Thanks in advance.
  >
  > [demime 0.99c.7 removed an attachment of type image/jpeg which had a name
  of stand_back.jpg]
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