Problems shifting down into second and first

[trolle]

Recently I have experienced some difficulty shifting down from third to second and from second to first. It feels as if the lever stays down after shifting down making it impossible to continue shifting down. When I lift the lever after shifting down and then shift down again it is possible to get into the next lower gear. Can anyone help me, please?

greetings from a sunny north

[Bob_Roller]

My first guess would be the shifter shaft seal in the transmission .

I had problems with shifting after I had the transmission overhauled, the seal was installed crooked, binding the shifter .

[trolle]

Thank you very much. It turned out that I had mounted the footrest too far down making the gearlever touch the frame. The added friction hindered the return spring in doing its work properly.

Now it works!

greetings from a sunny and very windy north

[fermin]

I am having the same trouble and do not have a return spring, just the U shaped "coat hanger" wire.  All shifts work Ok except 1st to 2nd where I usually get a grinding noise, then when down shifting it almost all the time goes in one step from 3rd or 4th to 1st and the shifter appears to be at  a low position with some play.

[Patrick_Krivacka]

fermin, that sounds like my shifter right before the linkage broke, even the gear grinding part. It was as if it went down farther then it should have. I even had to reach down and put it back in place with my hand a few times.

[montmil]

I am having the same trouble and do not have a return spring, just the U shaped "coat hanger" wire.  All shifts work Ok except 1st to 2nd where I usually get a grinding noise, then when down shifting it almost all the time goes in one step from 3rd or 4th to 1st and the shifter appears to be at  a low position with some play.

I believe the 'spring' mentioned is the one inside the gearbox. Check item #4, #7 or possibly #17...

http://www.realoem.com/bmw/showparts.do?model=0364&mospid=47851&btnr=23_0268&hg=23&fg=05

Monte

[fermin]

Thanks, I'll wait a little longer for Justins linkage or get something other than the coat hanger.  As long as I dont have to remove the transmission again I'm OK.

[trolle]

I believe the 'spring' mentioned is the one inside the gearbox

Yes!

greetings from a lightly clouded and cold north