Auto solutions shifter refresh

[strokemycocktus]

My shifter has some mileage and it's not as precise as it's shown in some videos - it has a bit of lateral play. I decided to replace some parts to make it feel new again, I think the most important one would be the foam inside the coupler.

I wanted to ask if anyone has done it or has some suggestions on what material to use (automotive rubber, polyurethane?).
I'll also replace the washers and e-clips, since one of them actually broke recently leaving me with loose lever at a track day.

I tried emailing Ronald, but it looks like since I am not the original buyer I don't get to receive any customer service. He just blocked my email without ever replying.

[pbonsalb]

I think you can buy new foam from BMW.

[e46IX]

That's weird. Not E9X M3 but on my old E46 M3 I bought a used AS SSK that came with missing parts and I was able to send it to Ronald for him to refurbish the kit to "like new" condition and he sent it back to me complete.

[strokemycocktus]

Originally Posted by pbonsalb

I think you can buy new foam from BMW.

I know, but the BMW foam seems to be different than what is used in the kit. Looks like the one supplied with the ssk is thicker and straight cut, which probably makes the selector rod joint more precise and removes play. I'd like to be able to replicate the auto solutions foam, wondering which material should I go with.

[strokemycocktus]

Originally Posted by e46IX

That's weird. Not E9X M3 but on my old E46 M3 I bought a used AS SSK that came with missing parts and I was able to send it to Ronald for him to refurbish the kit to "like new" condition and he sent it back to me complete.

Hm, I really wish they treated me that way too. I sent them an email, got no reply and when I was trying to send another one I got an error that my messages can't be delivered. I tried using different email addresses, same thing.
A polite "no" would look much better, but what can I do.

[wyatth]

If you tried another address and it didn’t work either, how do you conclude he blocked you? I highly doubt that’s the case.

[e90m3808]

^

As someone who has sent thousands of emails to thousands of domains in the last few years, it happens. Try calling.

[DanMpower]

Originally Posted by strokemycocktus

I know, but the BMW foam seems to be different than what is used in the kit. Looks like the one supplied with the ssk is thicker and straight cut, which probably makes the selector rod joint more precise and removes play. I'd like to be able to replicate the auto solutions foam, wondering which material should I go with.

Correct me if I'm wrong but I always thought that foam piece has no effect on the shifter play since it's not a load-bearing part. If you think about it, once the lock pin is slid in and the C clip holds it in place, the selector rod joint pretty much becomes a solid unit with the transmission side selector shaft, there shouldn't be any play at all with or without the foam.

If anything, I would look at the carrier arm bushings, did you replace those with the stiffer ones from the kit?

[strokemycocktus]

Originally Posted by wyatth

If you tried another address and it didn’t work either, how do you conclude he blocked you? I highly doubt that’s the case.

I sent one email, got no reply, sent another one and got an error saying that the address cannot be found. Then I sent it yet again with the same result, and then immediately sent another one from a different address - didn't get that error this time. Again no reply, I tried emailing them after a few days from the second email - address not found once again. I don't know what else could it be but I am open to your thoughts.

[strokemycocktus]

Originally Posted by DanMpower

Correct me if I'm wrong but I always thought that foam piece has no effect on the shifter play since it's not a load-bearing part. If you think about it, once the lock pin is slid in and the C clip holds it in place, the selector rod joint pretty much becomes a solid unit with the transmission side selector shaft, there shouldn't be any play at all with or without the foam.

If anything, I would look at the carrier arm bushings, did you replace those with the stiffer ones from the kit?

I replaced carrier bushings with delrin and poly. I checked everything and there is play only in the rod joint.
I thought that the foam creates some tension and therefore removes some of the lateral play that there is left after the pin is installed.

[amrazM]

now would be the time to get an rtd shifter, sell this AS kit entirely and you will essentially be futureproofing the shift assembly.

[pbonsalb]

I recently bought an AS shifter. Ronald is such a friendly and enthusiastic guy that I find it difficult to believe he would not sell replacement parts. I get the sense he is a one man show so maybe he lost the email. He did lose one of my emails.

[Gossypiboma]

Just pick up the phone and call. Your email issues in no way mean he blocked you, that makes no sense at all.

[derbo]

Originally Posted by strokemycocktus

I sent one email, got no reply, sent another one and got an error saying that the address cannot be found. Then I sent it yet again with the same result, and then immediately sent another one from a different address - didn't get that error this time. Again no reply, I tried emailing them after a few days from the second email - address not found once again. I don't know what else could it be but I am open to your thoughts.

Address can't be found, was the response from your SMTP server or his? The message header will tell you some clues on what happens. Typically SMTP servers will reply back with a 550 error response BLOCKED if it is indeed blocked.

[strokemycocktus]

Originally Posted by derbo

Address can't be found, was the response from your SMTP server or his? The message header will tell you some clues on what happens. Typically SMTP servers will reply back with a 550 error response BLOCKED if it is indeed blocked.

The error says that either the address can't be found or the recipent can't accept my message.
And yes it says error 550.
I'll try emailing him one more time, but I don't really see the point. If he doesn't want to talk to me I won't force him.
Back to the topic, does anyone have ideas on what should I address to remove the play from my shifter?

[DanMpower]

Try emailing to this address. Ronald2020@autosolutions.net

I've always emailed to this address and I get a response pretty immediately.

[wyatth]

Or, you know, give the number at the top of his website a try. He's a one man shop, communication can be a challenging reality (technical issues aside) over "not wanting to talk to you."

[strokemycocktus]

Originally Posted by wyatth

Or, you know, give the number at the top of his website a try. He's a one man shop, communication can be a challenging reality (technical issues aside) over "not wanting to talk to you."

Sure,I'll try the address above. Calling might be a bit problematic since I am in Europe.

Either way, I could see missing one email, but missing 4 emails and getting clear error messages saying that I've been blocked is something else I think

We'll see how it goes with his other email

[EMKOOP]

Ronald is a stand-up guy that goes above and beyond in answering his customers' questions.

Every email or text message has been promptly responded to during my experience in dealing with this vendor.

I'll leave it to the man to disclose details himself but he recently was out of his normal routine for 3 weeks due to an injury.

Email him Call him Text him.

[strokemycocktus]

Originally Posted by EMKOOP

Ronald is a stand-up guy that goes above and beyond in answering his customers' questions.

Every email or text message has been promptly responded to during my experience in dealing with this vendor.

I'll leave it to the man to disclose details himself but he recently was out of his normal routine for 3 weeks due to an injury.

Email him Call him Text him.

I think it's a bit different when you are a new client and want to buy the whole thing vs someone who already has it and just wants to refresh it with just a few parts.
Much mess income from such transaction, maybe a strict policy about selling separate pieces, there are a few factors that could promote such decission.

Either way, I sent him another email, we'll see.

[tlow98]

Originally Posted by strokemycocktus

Hm, I really wish they treated me that way too. I sent them an email, got no reply and when I was trying to send another one I got an error that my messages can't be delivered. I tried using different email addresses, same thing.
A polite "no" would look much better, but what can I do.

Ronald’s reputation is beyond reproach.

This sounds like a mistake, not malice.

Try another email account.

[strokemycocktus]

I tried the email you guys mentioned here, got an immediate response. Ronald is indeed very helpful
I am getting a new selector rod joint soon.

Sorry I jumped into conclusions but as you can see it looked really weird. I simply used the address I found on the website and couldn't get through with some block errors.

Anyway, thank you for your help, I am looking forward to have my shifter feel brand new again!