I have started to get an annoying sight rattle of the gear stick on the gate . Mostly 5 th and 4 th cruising. If I press / pull on it so it touched the gate , or move it slightly away from the gate ( with out slipping out of gear ) it stops . It started after a long 3000 Km euro hoon . What needs adjusting and how ? It’s not from the engine drive train . Everything else works fine and is asymptomatic.
I heard about a guy with a 328 that had the same problem, this was a while back, He might have been on this forum. He mentioned that after he replaced all 4 motor mounts his shifter action was solid with no movement.
Sagging mounts did cross my mind . The change is knife through butter smooth though hasn’t altered. I did a fresh G box oil only 200 miles ago - 4 months . It started on a long autoroute run through France back to the U.K. + I thought a g box oil refresh would sort it , but made no difference. A slight resonance which manifests in the stick rattling in gate 5 and 4 is what I am experiencing . I have removed the ash tray and eye balled the linkage joint at that end it’s tight and I have greased up the area inc the spring from above . Not been able to test drive . I ,ll get underneath and check what I can see with the linkage for any looseness ? Shaft seals done 2021 FWIW ?
It sounds like a resonance vibration at a certain rpm going from the engine to the shifter. Along with motor mounts, shift shaft bushings could be a contributor. I would say any rubber that supports the shifter and the motor - 2 shift shafts, 4 motor mounts and the "engine steady bar" rod with two bushings from the frame to the rear cylinder head. Any / every one of these could be the culprit. The support rod is easiest to see if there are any cracks in the rubber. From there, the rear shift shaft bushing is next easiest. It is a toss up if you find pulling apart the interior and center console to get to the front shift shaft bush or lifting the motor to do the mounts is easier. If you don't know when any were done, all would be good! You should check and see if they replaced at least the rear shift shaft bushing when they did your shift shaft seals.... That would knock one out! Winter is coming!
I also had to replace my motor mounts as well as the shift shaft seals. My torsion bar bushing that goes to the rear cylinder head was also replaced. Please let us know when and how you get it sorted.
Check the internal adjustment in the gearbox. You have to make sure the shift forks are centered between the dog teeth then work your way out. I use inside callipers rather than just by eye. With those verified then you can make sure the selector forks the shifter tab selects are aligned and spaced apart properly and finally that the selector finger is centered in each fork during gear selection. To me, the selector tab and fork adjustment isn't right which will hold the shifter out of position relative to the slot in the gate.
