SSK and Selector Rod Install Tips

[simpleM3]

Thank you to those that provided tips for my original post.

Instead of creating another thread I thought I'd leverage this one to provide tips for other people looking to DIY.

This is not a full step-by-step tutorial. These instructions are more so written for my fellow blue color DIYers that don't have luxury of performing this install with a lift.

1.) Ronald makes a great product, however, his instructions are awful. The instructions are very high level, so if you're not familiar with the anatomy of the E9x, you will spend way more time than what the job actually calls for.

2.) Remove the mid/Y pipe. It's debated all over the forum, but trust me, remove it to save yourself a lot of time, grief and body ache.

3.) Remove the heat shield as well.

4.) I don't think I gained much room by removing the transmission bracket. I think you can accomplish the job without removing it.

5.) My carrier bushings were in good shape. Unless you're upgrading your bushings, which I believe is only done for tracking/racing purposes, you can leave the original ones in and save yourself a little time. Unless yours are worn, I don't think replacing them gets you added benefits.

6.) I spent the most time trying to figure out how to remove the "Gear Shift Rod Joint." I haven't seen this mentioned in any DIY treads and that baffles me as it is critical and not the easiest thing to access. This joint is what gets attached to the transmission propeller shaft. The selector rod also gets attached to this joint. Going into the job, I didn't know about the pin and that it secures the joint to the transmission shaft. I used the short end of an "L" shaped allen key to push the pin out. There isn't much room so getting a screwdriver in there was almost impossible. This caused me the most grief and time. I would have completed the DIY way sooner had I known about this and how to remove it. SEE PIC FOR REFERENCE.

Hope this makes the install a little easier for some guys.

[ruff1017]

Unfortunately I did at the shop. So if I remember correctly, they had to removed the drive shaft and the exhaust pipe to reach the selector rod and carrier.
Sorry for not helping you much but just take your time and enjoy the ssk!

[mmm_e90]

No need to remove the driveshaft. I removed the x pipe and the transmission brace and had a bunch of room to work with

[Scharbag]

Here are some instructions from Turner. On the E9x M3, I have read that removing the X-Pipe is a huge help. The driveshaft should be able to stay though.

Cheers,

[e92zero]

what mmm_e90 said above. I had remove and installed mine a few times already. Plenty of room to work with after you remove those. I actually don't see how you can remove the shifter properly without removing the transmission bracket. Good luck.

[simpleM3]

Originally Posted by mmm_e90

No need to remove the driveshaft. I removed the x pipe and the transmission brace and had a bunch of room to work with

Good to know. I've been doing the job in increments so I have the x pipe bolts loosened. Did you have a lift or were you able to do it without? I'm working with ramps on the front.

Originally Posted by Scharbag

Here are some instructions from Turner. On the E9x M3, I have read that removing the X-Pipe is a huge help. The driveshaft should be able to stay though.

Cheers,

Thanks for the input and link. I have pretty good instructions to perform the installation. The intent with this thread is to get input, opinions, and suggestions to access the carrier and selector rod in the most convenient way possible.

[simpleM3]

The shifter itself is accessible from inside the car and from underneath. As long as you make enough room, which can be done by bending the heat shield, the retainer clip that holds the shifter to the selector rod can be accessed and easily removed. What can't be seen or easily reached is the other end of the selector rod. That's the point I'm at.

Originally Posted by e92zero

what mmm_e90 said above. I had remove and installed mine a few times already. Plenty of room to work with after you remove those. I actually don't see how you can remove the shifter properly without removing the transmission bracket. Good luck.

[e92zero]

Originally Posted by simpleM3

The shifter itself is accessible from inside the car and from underneath. As long as you make enough room, which can be done by bending the heat shield, the retainer clip that holds the shifter to the selector rod can be accessed and easily removed. What can't be seen or easily reached is the other end of the selector rod. That's the point I'm at.

Ah, I see. The point I was trying to make was that I don't see how one can remove the selector rod and the shifter bracket that connects to the transmission in the front without lowering the transmission. I am not sure if you are replacing the bracket that holds the shifter. Good luck.

[simpleM3]

Updated thread to provide tips for anyone looking to perform this DIY.