Shift lever needle bearing

[AlfromNH]

My shift lever is worn and sloppy on the pivot pin. I see BMW added a needle bearing somewhere along the line. Has anyone retrofit the needle bearing by drilling the shift lever?

[Barry]

My shift lever has neither needle bearing nor replaceable bush and just rotated directly on the shaft. It was sloppy at 6000 miles so I suspect it must have been like that even from new.  I made a huge improvement just by eliminating all of the end play with a custom made shim.  

As for has anyone retrofitted a needle bearing. I have a recollection of seeing a video on you tube of someone doing just and it was a good one too done by someone meticulous.  You might find it with a search.  

[montmil]

You may also consider adding an oilite bronze bushing to the shift lever. Good hardware stores and bearing supply shops can be a source. Measure the shifter stud and begin your search. You'll likely need to bore the shift lever's pivot to provide a firm press fit for the bushing. I had a machine shop handle this for my '81 R65.

My R100S needs this mod, too.

[Justin B.]

Monte actually PAID a machine shop do this!!??  

If someone wanted to be a bit more adventurous they could:

- Select a bushing with a slightly larger OD than a standard drill bit.
- Enlarge the hole in the shifter.
- Run a bolt (as a mandrel) through the bushing secured with a nut.
- Chuck it in an electric drill.
- Spin the drill and file/sand the bushing to size and tap it into the shifter.

Certainly much cheaper than a new shifter as the price seems to have went up considerably since last one I bought.

If someone wants to refurb their shifter and isn't sure of their capabilities PM me...

[AlfromNH]

According to Max, the needle bearing is $11, a new shift lever with bearing installed is $56. Either way, it's not terrible. I'll look for a bronze bushing and a drill bit  

[Ed Miller]

I bought one of those needle bearings.  My lever doesn't have one, but I have yet to drill out the hole so that it will accept the needle bearing.  Anybody know the size drill bit?  I may take it in to the machinists at work.  They would be able to measure the OD of the bearing and know how much smaller the hole needs to be to get a good interference fit.  

[montmil]

Monte actually PAID a machine shop do this!!??  

They offered free coffee, just like at the funeral home. No donuts, though.

The shop charge was less than the price of the required honkin' big new drill bit.

[AlfromNH]

I hit one of the area's better hardware stores today. All the bronze bushings are inch sizes, they had a 3/8" which was too thin to drill to the right ID, the next size up was 1/2" which is too big. The quest continues...

[Justin B.]

The ID of the bushing also has to be slightly (only a few thousandths) larger than the pivot bolt.

They offered free coffee, just like at the funeral home.

I know there had to be some sort of freebie involved!

[D Mann]

Try McMaster Carr they have a lot of stuff and will ship right to you pretty fast.http://www.mcmaster.com/#standard-sleeve-bearings/=r65orq
Just select the type and size on the left and the match will come up.

[AlfromNH]

McMaster was my first thought, but after paying shipping it would cost as much as the BMW needle bearing. Best case, I'm only saving myself $7-8. But it's the thrill of the chase, I guess  

[Luca]

you check Amazon?  I've resorted to them for a few impossible to find threaded/barbed brass fittings