Stick shift sticking

I have a 2003 330i 5spd and for some reason the shifter does not stay in the middle when in neutral anymore. It stays to the right like it's stuck and doesn't pop back in the middle. For example, to put the car in 5th gear, all I have to do is push the shifter straight up instead of right and then up. How do I fix this?

Also, I want to put a short shifter in my car. What is the best short shifter I can buy?

Thanks in advance!

http://forum.e46fanatics.com/showthread.php?t=763236

Read this thread. There are other links within that lead to other threads on the same subject. Should find everything you need. I'm actually going with the 545i shifter. Going to pick it up tomorrow or Friday. Already paid for, just a matter of making time to make the trip to go pick it up.

I have the same problem, only sometimes though. It makes down shifting sketchy

Sent from my ADR6300 using Bimmer

I had this issue a few days ago. After a few minutes of driving, it went away....didn't think much of it, actually forgot till I read this thread.

Thanks for the link

The sticking 5th gear position is a common problem. Mine does this when cold but frees up after 5 minutes of driving. I has to do with some pins and bushings in the transmission. Unfortunately the transmission has to be out to properly repair this. I will wait until I need a clutch. I doubt a short shifter will have any affect. See:

http://www.ex-parrot.com/pdw/mcoupe/...fix/index.html

So there's problems with the manual as well? should've gotten and auto ...

Originally Posted by Bemwe_03i

So there's problems with the manual as well? should've gotten and auto ...

No way!

Originally Posted by Bemwe_03i

So there's problems with the manual as well? should've gotten and auto ...

Originally Posted by Bemwe_03i

So there's problems with the manual as well? should've gotten and auto ...

A short shift kit will NOT fix this problem. Ask me how I know.

I just deal with it for now. I can't say I've ever had a bad shift when it's leaning. After the car warms up, it's fine and will "pop" back into place.

YUP, thank the heavens I had this fixed when I was still under CPO warranty, must have been a $1500 bill at least, just to replace a 6$ bushing set! Scared mine feels sort of like it wants to start sticking again.. UG. what a horrific design to have something like this happen that involves so much work to fix!


short shift kits will do NOTHING to correct this, almost make it worse since the shift points are closer and you are more prone to tossing it into the wrong gear..

I just had this fixed. Reason for the sticking is because the pin is made out of a different metal than the tranny case. Different metal have different rates of contraction tolerances under current cold temperatures. The fix replaces the metal pin with the same type of metal thus solving the problem . When the engine is warm, the tolerances are the same and no more sticking. I filled this with 3 different types of gear oil and never worked until now.

Originally Posted by trizzuth

YUP, thank the heavens I had this fixed when I was still under CPO warranty, must have been a $1500 bill at least, just to replace a 6$ bushing set!

Yes that is exactly correct. An easy and inexpensive fix that can be done from outside the transmission. The little problem is the trans must be removed from the car to get access!

This has been occurring since around '98 when this ZFtrans was first used in the M3. Was solved when the E90 came out.

In almost all cases problem goes away once the trans warms up and is definately worse in colder weather. Simple fix is not use 5th gear until the trans is warmed (about 10 miles on a very cold day). Otherwise just be careful shifting until the problem clears.

I had this problem which started at about 60K miles, after the warranty was expired. My intention was to wait until the car needed a clutch and do it then. But I was told that the detent piston would eventually wear enough and the problem would cure itself. Sure enough at about 120K miles the problem did go away! We're at 145K and am still waiting to replace the clutch

Originally Posted by kbsilver

But I was told that the detent piston would eventually wear enough and the problem would cure itself. Sure enough at about 120K miles the problem did go away!

I like the sound of that, I am at 103K miles and do mostly highway and rural driving and don't expect to need a clutch anytime soon! I just deal with it anyway, not a big deal.

yea, it's a little annoying, but one gets used to it. I have a UUC ssk, but still have this issue, definitely worse in the cold but always goes away after awhile.

I did the shift pin service over the summer. It is not easy and not fun. You absolutely must rent the special tools to do the pins and linings. If anyone here is going to do it, PM me and I will post the information of the guy that rents the shift pin tools and mails them to you.

Best thing is to have an assistant, a lift and a really good air-driven impact gun with a ton of extensions.

I guess I'll wait until the clutch goes to fix that sticking problem then. 265k on original clutch I still want a short shifter though.

What do you think of this shifter? http://www.ebay.com/itm/270740517772...84.m1423.l2649.

Another thing is that my car doesn't ride that well anymore, as it has 265k miles. I'd like to completely replace the suspension. What all do you think needs replaced and do you recommend replacing with aftermarket or OE BMW parts?

Originally Posted by Jay146992

What do you think of this shifter? http://www.ebay.com/itm/270740517772...84.m1423.l2649.

I have the B&M Hurst SSK. It was already installed when I bought the car used so I have nothing to compare to. All I can say is one less mod I would have to do.

Originally Posted by Jay146992

I guess I'll wait until the clutch goes to fix that sticking problem then. 265k on original clutch I still want a short shifter though.

What do you think of this shifter? http://www.ebay.com/itm/270740517772...84.m1423.l2649.

Another thing is that my car doesn't ride that well anymore, as it has 265k miles. I'd like to completely replace the suspension. What all do you think needs replaced and do you recommend replacing with aftermarket or OE BMW parts?

New rear shocks/mounts, new front struts/mounts, and at 265K new springs all around too.

Mine fixed itself when I changed to a real manual oil, Redline MTL. Some say no because the tranny was designed by BMW to operate on ATF type oil. BS! they missed something in the design then. If you believe the BMW BS about lifetime fluid and don't change the oil regularly, your tranny is going to suffer.