[Bigmo93]

Hey guys, I've had my F30 335i for about 2 years now, and lately I've been noticing something weird with the shifter on my car. I know in the colder weather the shifter gets a little stiff but since the end of the summer the shifter on the car is incredibly stiff. Honestly feels like it needs to be greased or tighten up. Any way to get to the shifter linkage, or is there something else I need to look into. Only drive the car on the weekends. Any help would be greatly appreciated

[Korvo]

When was the last time the fluid was changed? Is this only from first to second or through all gears?

[Bigmo93]

Originally Posted by pdegene

When was the last time the fluid was changed? Is this only from first to second or through all gears?

Originally Posted by pdegene

When was the last time the fluid was changed? Is this only from first to second or through all gears?

Fluid has never been changed. Car has 59,300 miles. Car goes into gears no problem. Just doesn't feel as smooth as when I first got the car at 42,000 miles. I was thinking the fluid needs to be changed.

[Bigmo93]

Originally Posted by Bigmo93

Fluid has never been changed. Car has 59,300 miles. Car goes into gears no problem. Just doesn't feel as smooth as when I first got the car at 42,000 miles. I was thinking the fluid needs to be changed.

Originally Posted by pdegene

When was the last time the fluid was changed? Is this only from first to second or through all gears?

It's hard to explain. When you move the shifter left and right in neutral it doesn't go back to the middle. It like gets stuck on the left or right side and you have to put it back in the middle for neutral

[Korvo]

The side to side issue doesn't sound like a fluid issue, although I would recommend you change it. I used Redline MTL and love it, although it's not BMW approved. Lots of forum posts suggested it, so I went with it and it made everything smoother.

Just guessing... You either need to replace the transmissions detent pins, or the plastic cup that the shifter moves in.

It's more likely the detent pins, unless you also feel slack in the shift.

[Bigmo93]

Originally Posted by pdegene

The side to side issue doesn't sound like a fluid issue, although I would recommend you change it. I used Redline MTL and love it, although it's not BMW approved. Lots of forum posts suggested it, so I went with it and it made everything smoother.

Just guessing... You either need to replace the transmissions detent pins, or the plastic cup that the shifter moves in.

It's more likely the detent pins, unless you also feel slack in the shift.

Originally Posted by pdegene

The side to side issue doesn't sound like a fluid issue, although I would recommend you change it. I used Redline MTL and love it, although it's not BMW approved. Lots of forum posts suggested it, so I went with it and it made everything smoother.

Just guessing... You either need to replace the transmissions detent pins, or the plastic cup that the shifter moves in.

It's more likely the detent pins, unless you also feel slack in the shift.

Just curious. Where are the detent pins located and how can I inspect to see if they're bad

[Pray for Mojo]

I have a similar thing going on with mine. I had the fluid changed this summer and they put in BG syncroshift. After that it was really tough going into first when cold, but would operate normal or close to it when warm. I changed the fluid out a second time a few weeks later for the BMW OE fluid.

It fixed the issue a bit, but anything over 0mph when cold doesn't want to go into first. I never force it into first while moving, but in stop and go traffic its a pain trying to get it into first from second while at walking speed.

Been half wondering if the clutch isn't going, but it doesn't slip at all and I haven't been rough on it, starting to worry the syncros are shot.

[Korvo]

Originally Posted by Pray for Mojo

I have a similar thing going on with mine. I had the fluid changed this summer and they put in BG syncroshift. After that it was really tough going into first when cold, but would operate normal or close to it when warm. I changed the fluid out a second time a few weeks later for the BMW OE fluid.

It fixed the issue a bit, but anything over 0mph when cold doesn't want to go into first. I never force it into first while moving, but in stop and go traffic its a pain trying to get it into first from second while at walking speed.

Been half wondering if the clutch isn't going, but it doesn't slip at all and I haven't been rough on it, starting to worry the syncros are shot.

Mine does this too and so did my car before it. It's normal. In that situation, you either need to slow enough to get into first, or just use second.

[Korvo]

Unfortunately, they're in the transmission and very hard to get to. They can be replaced without removing the transmission, but it's a job.

[Bigmo93]

Originally Posted by pdegene

Unfortunately, they're in the transmission and very hard to get to. They can be replaced without removing the transmission, but it's a job.

Originally Posted by pdegene

Unfortunately, they're in the transmission and very hard to get to. They can be replaced without removing the transmission, but it's a job.

Oh boy. I'm gonna try changing the fluid and see if it makes a difference. What weight redline should I use and how many quarts? Thank you for getting back to me I really appreciate it

[Korvo]

Originally Posted by Bigmo93

Oh boy. I'm gonna try changing the fluid and see if it makes a difference. What weight redline should I use and how many quarts? Thank you for getting back to me I really appreciate it

No problem. You'll need 2 quarts. It takes a little less, 1.6 I think?

Here's where I got mine:

https://www.summitracing.com/parts/r...iABEgJaDPD_BwE

[ghatiey1990]

Any update on what was causing the stiffness? Having the same issue

[ghatiey1990]

Bump! Anyone that experienced this and any feed back on how to fix it without taking it to the stealership would be awesome!

[Phyrexia]

Easiest thing to do is to rebuild the shifter assembly, which will get rid of a lot of slop and is much less involved than doing the pins inside the transmission.

Even for an advanced home mechanic the transmission pins are dicey, IMO

[Planefixer4]

Ok...my car has the same problem

Everyone who is on here saying to change your fluid just needs to go home or first thoroughly read the initial description of the problem.
The problem we are having is when we move the shifter from side-to-side. It has NOTHING to do with forward/aft movement of the shift lever.

From what I have researched, it is a shifter detent issue. Unfortunately, the fix does not seem to be cheap or easy. The problem is that the shift detents live up in the top of the gearbox. They do not get lubricated by the tranny fluid. This was/is a common problem on The e46 manual transmissions (gearbox) also. It was a big enough issue that Shifter Detent Rebuild kits were made for those cars.
There are several YOUTUBE videos on BMW SHIFTER DETENTS.....YOUTUBE search it.

I can only speculate as to why the same type of kits have not come along for our cars, but it probably is because these car have not been around as long, and ALSO only a very small percentage of the Fxx cars came with manual transmissions (gearbox). Its a supply-vs-demand thing. Most CHUMPS got the AUTO.

I have looked into getting the detent parts for the 6 speed, no parts are available. ZF does not sell parts for this gearbox. It’s a complete assembly if you want to do anything with it. The best solution I have found is getting a NEW gearbox for $3300, and they give you $1300 back for the core. $2000 and you have a fresh gearbox.

Now....after watching some of those YOUTUBE videos, I have considered pulling the gearbox and seeing if I can remove and clean/lubricate the detents before I order a new gearbox. No matter what, the gearbox has to come out.

I have a spare car - Toyota Corolla - which will NEVER die. So its an option I might consider.

We got screwed on this one, unfortunately.


I hope this helps

[rjd_F30]

Originally Posted by Planefixer4

Most CHUMPS got the AUTO.

Alright relax.

[jbiswurm]

Did anyone ever solve this? I have the same issue, when i shift out of either 1st, 2nd, 5th or 6th, shifter doesn't self center. It just stays off to the left or right (between 1st and 2nd or 5th and 6th) until i manually push it back to the middle.

[E46erak]

I had this issue when I first picked up my car (used, 71k miles). After driving it for a few thousand miles, the problem resolved itself. Does your car sit without being used for any periods of time?

Other solutions I have seen have to do with detents in the transmission, which require removal in order to replace. This is a carry-over issue from the 5 speed ZF gearboxes. Google "E46 5th gear lean" for related information.

[jbiswurm]

Nah, i drive it daily. Interesting enough, inpulled up the shift boot and i think the issue is actually slop in the linkage. I ordered all the components to rebuild the shift linkage all the way to the trans and will install over the holidays and if that does ir