Shift lever bolt

[rdnhaz]

I have the shift lever bolt in upside down -that is, it was inserted from the top and the nut is on the bottom. Duane on his site says that this can cause the lever to be rotated a bit and lead to the lever hitting the muffler clamp. That is just what mine is doing. I even replaced the lever before I discovered what was wrong. Now I would like to fix it. I can't seem to get the bolt started from below as the frame is in the way. What is the easiest way to correct this? I know I can remove the transmission but that seems like a lot to do for such a small thing.

[Duane Ausherman]

If there were an easy way it would be in that article. I have many "easy" ways that BMw never heard about and love them. Sorry.

[Deleted User 62]

Sorry, I misread your question. Post deleted

[Duane Ausherman]

The frame should be in the way of inserting it from the bottom. Please find an easy way to install that pin with the transmission in the frame.

[Deleted User 62]

OK, how about removing the rear engine mounting bolt and tilting the engine and trans combination up enough to insert it? Of course you'd have to detach the mufflers too...

[Duane Ausherman]

Try it and tell us how it works.

[rdnhaz]

Thanks for the replies. I guess I will use it as it is for a while and when I pull the engine for slinger work (unknown past service) I will correct this along with everything else. It does shift, I just hate to mar the bottom of my nice shift lever. If anyone finds a trick let me know but if Duane doesn't know one I'm not hopeful.

[Duane Ausherman]

One could remove the rear bolt and tilt the engine. To do so requires that the top engine mount be removed, which requires that the tank be removed first.

I don't know of an easy way to do that fix. If there were one, Bryan Hilton would have come up with it. He was my 15 year old genius mechanic.