Rebuilt shifter but still pretty stiff

[Kibokojoe]

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?

[yaofeng]

What did you do exactly? The shifter has all standard replaceable parts.

[Kibokojoe]

What did you do exactly? The shifter has all standard replaceable parts.
I replaced all of parts circled and applied grease liberally
http://www.freewebs.com/kibokojoe/Shifter%20Parts%20needed.jpg

[yaofeng]

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.

http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b274/yaofengchen/BMW_95_540/DSC_3372.jpg

[Paul in NZ]

my 535 shifts fine but the action is relatively slow,long,and heavy.Its no lightweight...

[bubba966]

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.

[Tiger]

You should change your fluid... Most put in Redline fluid to make it smoother.

[yaofeng]

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.

http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b274/yaofengchen/BMW_95_525i/DSC_2448.jpg

[Tiger]

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.

[Kibokojoe]

I will change out the oil and let you guys know.


You should change your fluid... Most put in Redline fluid to make it smoother.

[Kibokojoe]

There is four types for manual transmissions....Which one?

MTL
MT-90
75W90 NS
75W140 NS

[bubba966]

There is four types for manual transmissions....Which one?

MTL
MT-90
75W90 NS
75W140 NS

Looking up a 9/88 build (don't recall the build date on your car) 535 on realoem shows that the manual tranny in your car requires AFT not a manual tranny oil. So I wouldn't put any of those Redline products in there. Put in a Redline ATF, or this http://www.amsoil.com/storefront/atf.aspx

[Jeff N.]

MTL or MT-90.

MTL is lighter weight and is better for very cold climates, easier shifts but (according to Jim Blanton) puts bearing wear at the price of synco life. If you have growling mainshaft bearings (pretty common), an MTL gearbox will be noisier.

MT-90 is bit thicker and leads to a quieter tranny and slower shifts especially when cold. Blanton perfers the bearing wear characteristics of MT-90.

I run MT-90. Not so cold where I live (seattle area) and I don't care for the noise of the MTL fill.

Don't worry about what Bubba says. MTL is the equivilant of ATF; MT-90 is a bit thicker. Blanton is a BMW tranny guru; you are fine to run either Redline product.

[Kibokojoe]

My 535i was built in 8/88

[Tiger]

http://www.redlineoil.com/tech_requests.asp

[Kibokojoe]

Found an orange sticker on the side of the transmission

Says ATF OIL
81229400272

Don't know what the number is though

[Kibokojoe]

Put in Royal purple and it still shifts like a truck :-(

[yaofeng]

If it says ATF, put ATF in.

[Kibokojoe]

I did Royal Purple ATF. Still very notchy. I am spoiled. I have a Honda Accord that shifts with my pinky