Gear Shift Mechanism - Repair - e90 BMW M3 E90

Scheme 428

25 11 000 Removing and installing shift lever M3

Necessary preliminary tasks

1. «REMOVE EXHAUST SYSTEM»(/bmw/m3/e90-2007-2013/remont/exhaust/#exhaust-system-repair-e90__18-00-018-removing-and-installing) .
2. Remove heat shield
3. Remove «KNOB»(/bmw/m3/e90-2007-2013/remont/automatic-trans/#gear-shift-mechanism-repair-e90__25-11-071-replacing-knob-for) for shift lever
4. Remove «GAITER»(/bmw/m3/e90-2007-2013/remont/automatic-trans/#gear-shift-mechanism-repair-e90__25-11-081-replacing-gaiter-shift) for shift lever cover.

Remove SHIFT ROD (2).

Installation

Grease shift rod pin. See GEAR SHIFT MECHANISM - OPERATING FLUIDS

Key

1. Retainer
2. Shift rod

Scheme 429

Scheme 430

Insert special tool 25 1 120 MINIMUM SET: MECHANICAL TOOLS PIN WRENCH MW into mount and turn 90° counterclockwise.

Press mount upwards out of shift arm.

Scheme 431

Feed U-gaiter from shift arm and out of body cutout.

Lift out shift lever.

Installation

Pull U-gaiter from below completely over shift arm receptacle.

Scheme 432

Installation

Pull U-gaiter bead (4) over receptacle on shift arm and pop U-gaiter lips (3) into body cutout.

Make sure the arrow on the upper U-gaiter lip (3) is seated in the direction of travel and crossways to the shift lever eye (5).

Scheme 433

Key

1. Shift lever
2. U-gaiter molded section
3. U-gaiter lips
4. U-gaiter bead
5. Shift lever eye

Installation

Grease shift lever ball. See GEAR SHIFT MECHANISM - OPERATING FLUIDS .

Fit mount on shift arm receptacle.

Align retaining lugs of mount to openings in receptacle (crossways to direction of travel).

Press shift arm with mount

downwards until mount snaps audibly into place (if necessary, use a pressing-in tool).

Scheme 434

25 11 250 Removing and installing/replacing vibration absorber

Necessary preliminary tasks

1. Remove shift lever cover.
2. Remove «SHIFT LEVER KNOB»(/bmw/m3/e90-2007-2013/remont/automatic-trans/#gear-shift-mechanism-repair-e90__25-11-071-replacing-knob-for) .

Open clamp (1) on vibration absorber with pliers.

Unlock vibration absorber with screwdriver (2) (there is a locking notch on one side only).

Lift out vibration absorber.

Scheme 435

Installation

In the case of a new vibration absorber which has been attachment to the shift lever, only the retainer (1) still needs to be unlocked.

Make sure the vibration absorber is correctly engaged in the shift lever.

Scheme 436

25 11... Replacing U-type bellows

Necessary preliminary tasks

1. Remove «SHIFT LEVER»(/bmw/m3/e90-2007-2013/remont/automatic-trans/#gear-shift-mechanism-repair-e90__25-11-000-removing-and-installing)
2. Remove «VIBRATION DAMPER»(/bmw/m3/e90-2007-2013/remont/automatic-trans/#gear-shift-mechanism-repair-e90__25-11-250-removing-and-installingreplacing) (if fitted).

Detach U-gaiter from shift lever.

If necessary, rub inside of molded section (1) beforehand with Circolight.

Scheme 437

Installation

1. Degrease shift lever (1)
2. Coat inside of molded section (2) with Circolight (sourcing reference: BMW Parts Service)
3. Pull U-gaiter from above over shift lever and align
4. Arrow on upper lip (3) must point crossways to mount eye (5) in direction of travel

Key

1. Shift lever
2. U-gaiter molded section
3. U-gaiter lip
4. U-gaiter bead
5. Mount eye

25 11 235 Replacing bearing bushes for gearshift arm

Necessary preliminary tasks

1. Remove «GEARSHIFT ARM»(/bmw/m3/e90-2007-2013/remont/automatic-trans/#gear-shift-mechanism-repair-e90__25-11-211-replacing-shift-arm)

1. Press out bearing bush (1).
2. Coat new bearing bush with Circolight.
3. Then press into gearshift arm until side surface of bush protrudes uniformly.

Note. Graphic shows: gearshift arm simply supported.

Scheme 438

25 11 041 Replacing bearing shell for shift lever

Necessary preliminary tasks

1. Remove shift lever

Detach mount from selector lever.

Installation

Grease ball joint. See GEAR SHIFT MECHANISM - OPERATING FLUIDS

Scheme 439

25 11 001 Replacing complete shift lever

Necessary preliminary tasks

1. Remove selector lever.
2. Remove «VIBRATION DAMPER»(/bmw/m3/e90-2007-2013/remont/automatic-trans/#gear-shift-mechanism-repair-e90__25-11-250-removing-and-installingreplacing) (if fitted).

Detach mount from selector lever.

Installation

Grease ball joint.

Grease, see GEAR SHIFT MECHANISM - OPERATING FLUIDS .

Detach rubber gaiter from selector lever.

Scheme 440

Installation

Degrease selector lever (1).

Coat rubber bellows on inside of shaped section (2) with Circolight.

Pull rubber gaiter from above over selector lever and align. Arrow (3) on rubber gaiter must point in direction of travel (A).

Scheme 441

25 11 081 Replacing gaiter (shift lever cover) for shift lever

Necessary preliminary tasks

1. Remove «SHIFT LEVER KNOB»(/bmw/m3/e90-2007-2013/remont/automatic-trans/#gear-shift-mechanism-repair-e90__25-11-071-replacing-knob-for) .

Installation

Retaining lugs must not be damaged.

Scheme 442

25 11 071 Replacing knob for shift lever

Version 1 (shift lever knob and shift lever cover separate)

Press installation frame of gaiter (1) together a little and remove gaiter from center console.

Scheme 443

Note. Do not twist shift lever knob during removal as this would cause the turning lock in the knob to shear off.

Tug firmly to remove knob.

Installation

Fit shift lever knob on shift lever, align and press on until it snaps noticeably into place.

Scheme 444

Installation

Push gaiter (1) down until groove (2) is fully exposed.

Scheme 445

Version 2 (shift lever knob and shift lever one single part)

Press installation frame of gaiter (1) together a little and remove gaiter from center console.

Note. Do not twist knob during removal as this would cause the turning lock in the knob to shear off.

Tug firmly to remove knob.

Installation

Fit knob on shift lever, align and press on until it snaps noticeably into place.

25 11 211 Replacing shift arm for shift-lever mount

Necessary preliminary tasks

1. Remove «SHIFT LEVER»(/bmw/m3/e90-2007-2013/remont/automatic-trans/#gear-shift-mechanism-repair-e90__25-11-000-removing-and-installing)
2. Remove transfer case (AWD)

Lever support bearing (1) out of fixture.

Scheme 446

Installation

Install support bearing (1) with arrow (2) facing upwards in holder.

Scheme 447

Unlock bearing pin (1) in direction of arrow and remove.

Installation

Grease bearing pin.

Grease, see GEAR SHIFT MECHANISM - OPERATING FLUIDS .

Scheme 448

Remove shift arm.

Detach support bearing (1) from shift arm.

Installation

Grease bearing journal.

Grease, see GEAR SHIFT MECHANISM - OPERATING FLUIDS .

Attach support bearing (1) with opening (3) towards rear on shift arm.

Scheme 449

Replace bearing bush if damaged.

Press out bearing bush.

Coat new bearing bush with Circolight and then press into shift arm until side flanges of bearing bush protrude uniformly.

Circolight, refer to BMW Parts Service.

25 11 245 Replacing shift arm support bearing M3

Necessary preliminary tasks

1. «REMOVE EXHAUST SYSTEM»(/bmw/m3/e90-2007-2013/remont/exhaust/#exhaust-system-repair-e90__18-00-018-removing-and-installing) .
2. Remove front middle heat shield

Lever support bearing (1) with a short screwdriver out of mounting.

Pull support off shift arm.

Installation

Grease bearing pin of shift arm. See GEAR SHIFT MECHANISM - OPERATING FLUIDS .

Fit support bearing (1) with opening (2) towards top rear onto mounting.

25 12 060 Replacing shift lever knob for twin clutch transmission S65

Press installation frame of gaiter (1) a little from front to rear and release gaiter from center console.

Scheme 450

Note. Do not twist shift lever knob during removal as this would cause the turning lock in the knob to shear off.

Tug firmly to remove knob.

Installation

Fit shift lever knob on shift lever, align and press on until it snaps noticeably into place.

Scheme 451

Disconnect connector (1).

Installation

Note installation position of cables.

Scheme 452

25 11 101 Replacing shift rod

Necessary preliminary tasks

1. Remove rear assembly underside protection
2. Remove reinforcement carrier on underbody
3. «REMOVE EXHAUST SYSTEM»(/bmw/m3/e90-2007-2013/remont/exhaust/#exhaust-system-repair-e90__18-00-018-removing-and-installing) (M3 only)
4. Remove heat shields
5. Remove transfer case (AWD)
6. Remove transmission crossmember . See «22 32 050 REPLACING CROSSMEMBER FOR TRANSMISSION MOUNTING (S65)»(/bmw/m3/e90-2007-2013/remont/mechanical/#engine-and-gearbox-suspension-repair-e90) .
7. Remove transmission support block (M3 only)

Detach locking clip.

Scheme 453

Retaining clip must interlock captively with retaining web (1) behind shift rod pin.

Pull shift rod (1) out of shift rod joint (2).

Installation

Grease shift rod pin (3). See GEAR SHIFT MECHANISM - OPERATING FLUIDS .

Scheme 454

Detach locking clip (1).

Remove selector rod (2).

Installation

Grease selector rod pin. See GEAR SHIFT MECHANISM - OPERATING FLUIDS .

25 11 111 Replacing shift rod joint

Necessary preliminary tasks

1. Release propeller shaft at transmission and center mount, tie propeller shaft to one side Tasks are described in «REMOVING PROPELLER SHAFT»(/bmw/m3/e90-2007-2013/remont/driveshaft-universal-joints/#propeller-shaft-repair-e90__26-11-000-removing-and-installing) .
2. Remove transfer case (AWD)

Lift off retainer (1).

Disconnect shift rod (2).

Scheme 455

Installation

Grease shift rod.

Grease, see GEAR SHIFT MECHANISM - OPERATING FLUIDS .

Make sure shims (3) are in correct position.

Lever spring washer (1) out of groove and push a little towards rear.

Press dowel pin (2) upwards/downwards out of shift rod joint and remove shift rod joint.

Installation

Grease ball of selector shaft.

See GEAR SHIFT MECHANISM - OPERATING FLUIDS .

Replace spring washer (1).

Scheme 456

Installation

Check rubber ring (1) in shift rod joint (2) and replace if necessary.

Scheme 457

See also:
• REMOVE EXHAUST SYSTEM
• GEAR SHIFT MECHANISM - OPERATING FLUIDS
• 25 1 120 MINIMUM SET: MECHANICAL TOOLS PIN WRENCH MW
• 22 32 050 REPLACING CROSSMEMBER FOR TRANSMISSION MOUNTING (S65)
• REMOVING PROPELLER SHAFT
• KNOB
• GAITER
• SHIFT ROD
• SHIFT LEVER
• VIBRATION DAMPER
• GEARSHIFT ARM