Reply With QuoteWhat did you do exactly? The shifter has all standard replaceable parts.
Grand Master
Rebuilt shifter but still pretty stiff
This is my first Bimmer so I don't know but after rebuilding the shifter my 535i still shifts like a truck. Is there something else I can do?
Major Contributor
What did you do exactly? The shifter has all standard replaceable parts.
'01 540it, 6/01
'03 325i 5 speed, 9/02
'10 535ix. 9/09
'10 mini 6 speed
'15 mini countryman 6 speed
Grand Master
I replaced all of parts circled
I replaced all of parts circled and applied grease liberallyOriginally Posted by yaofeng
Major Contributor
You lost me. I did not replace nearly as many parts on the shifter and both of mine shift like BMW should. Item 23 is a cable clamp which I did not even see on mine. My guess is it affixes the reverse light switch cable to the sifter.
'01 540it, 6/01
'03 325i 5 speed, 9/02
'10 535ix. 9/09
'10 mini 6 speed
'15 mini countryman 6 speed
3 Grand Master
my 535 shifts fine but the action is relatively slow,long,and heavy.Its no lightweight...
Gone but not forgotten
Grand Master
If your shifts are stiff you probably could use to replace the oil in the gearbox. Find out if it needs ATF or a gear oil and get yourself a nice synthetic like Redline MTL if gear oil or Amsoil ATF.
And by the looks of all of the bushings and such that you replaced those will be a little tight until they break in. When I had a UUC Evo 3 short shifter installed into a friends '93 M5 (the factory shifter snapped in two on me when I was borrowing it while he was off on a vacation) all of the new bushings were tight and need some use to get them broke in a bit so they weren't so tight.
But stiff shifting is usually an oil problem.
Cosmos Black/Black 1995 540iA M-Sport
BMW Individual Exclusive Edition, 1 of 65 total, 9/25/95 Build
4 Grand Master
You should change your fluid... Most put in Redline fluid to make it smoother.
Major Contributor
BMW changed the design of the shifter later. My guess is in response to the high failure rate of the original design after so many years in use. The original shifter has a metal ball cast with the shifter shaft. The connection between the shaft and the ball is the weak point. Later shifter is a rod with a plastic ball. It is more durable.
'01 540it, 6/01
'03 325i 5 speed, 9/02
'10 535ix. 9/09
'10 mini 6 speed
'15 mini countryman 6 speed
4 Grand Master
From the picture, I can see smoother shifting as far as friction is concerned... maybe they changed the leverage also... for easier shifting... longer throw.
Grand Master
Changing oil
I will change out the oil and let you guys know.
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