Gear lever play

[mcjjordan]

So i have a 323i 5 speed box on my m52 & the play is getting real bad.
Ive already stripped the linkage & removed all the play from that.
The play is left to right movement only
Seems to be the coupling on the end of selector shaft isnt a tight fit . Its a new coupling & pin but the hole in which the pin goes seems a very loose fit.
Is it possible to ream the hole out & fit a larger diameter pin or is the shaft easily replaceable?

[uwbuurman]

You'll need the new foaminsert aswell. Did you get that? BMWnumber 25111434194

And fitting a larger pin is the way to go, but be aware that the hole and pin are conical. Goes in from one side only.

[BertjeConti]

I've done it, shaft and coupling are hardened steel, impossible to ream the holes with a drillbit, use a fine grindbit instead.
Access to the shaft hole is also a p.i.t.a. while gearbox is still in the car.

For the pin i used the shaft of a 6.5mm drillbit.

[mcjjordan]

My pin you push in one side and it pops out the other side….

[Wilmo]

It is a silly construction. The hole doesn't do anything in stability, the play is taken care of by the sides. So you need to fill up the gap and close it with the retaining ring. BMW-stuff won't last there very well, with the o-rings and stuff, the way to go is either redesign the whole thing, or to make some copper rings that fit exactly. One ring on one side, another one at the other and a third ring that you make to the right thickness so that the retaining ring juuuuust fits on.

[BertjeConti]

It is a silly construction. The hole doesn't do anything in stability, the play is taken care of by the sides. So you need to fill up the gap and close it with the retaining ring. BMW-stuff won't last there very well, with the o-rings and stuff, the way to go is either redesign the whole thing, or to make some copper rings that fit exactly. One ring on one side, another one at the other and a third ring that you make to the right thickness so that the retaining ring juuuuust fits on.

Or replace the whole construction for a universal joint as used in a steering column.