BMW E30, E36, E46 and E36 including M3 Short Throw Shifter Installation

This B&M Short Throw Shifter has been designed to work on most BMW E30, E36, E46, and E39 including M3 models equipped with a manual transmission. It has been engineered to greatly reduce shift throw and improve shifter feel. Part Number 45125 is a full race version shifter that directly links the driver to the transmission without compromise. Part Number 45126 is an isolated version of the race shifter, damping some of the vibration and noise associated with race vehicles. A complete description high-lighting the benefits and construction of each shifter is provided at the end of these instructions. Check the tool list on page 2 of these instructions for the tools required to install your B&M Short Throw Shifter. Installation of the B&M Short Throw Shifter can be accomplished by anyone with minimal mechanical experience.

DISASSEMBLY
We suggest the vehicle be allowed to cool for an hour or two before you begin since you will be working around the exhaust system.
STEP 1. Remove the knob from the shift lever by pulling it sharply upwards.
STEP 2. Unclip the shift lever boot from the center console and remove the boot over the shift lever. Where applicable, remove the foam insulation. Remove the rubber boot holding the shifter.
STEP 3. Raise and support the vehicle. The vehicle should be raised so there is at least 2 feet of ground clearance for ease of installation and safety. CAUTION: MAKE SURE THE VEHICLE IS RIGIDLY AND SECURELY SUPPORTED, JACK STANDS, WHEEL RAMPS OR A HOIST WORK BEST, DO NOT USE JACKS ALONE.
STEP 4. Working under the vehicle, pry the securing clip from the end of the gear selector rod pin. Remove the selector rod pin from the eye on the end of the shift lever, and set aside the washers and the securing clip as they will be reused (See Figure #1).
STEP 5. It is now necessary to release the shift lever lower bearing retaining ring from the selector arm (See Figure #1).A special BMW tool is available for this purpose, but two screwdrivers, with the tips engaged in opposite slots in the bearing ring can be used instead. To unlock the bearing ring, turn it a quarter-turn counterclockwise.
STEP 6. The bearing can now be pushed up through the housing, and the shift lever can be withdrawn from inside the vehicle.

ASSEMBLY
STEP 7. The B&M Short Throw Shifter comes ready to be install in most E30, E36, E46, and E39 except M3 models. For the M3 application, use two small flat head screw drivers to adjust (much like a key ring) the spiral retaining rings to the upper groove position (See Figure #2). Note: It will be necessary to move the top ring above the top groove to the upper portion where the stick bends in order to access the lower ring.
STEP 8. Thoroughly clean the inner portion of the gear selector arm housing. Using the supplied lithium grease, generously lubricate this area and the o-rings on the blue shifter pivot extension of the B&M Short Throw Shifter. STEP 9. Insert theB&MShort Throw Shifterinto the gear selector arm housing. Make sure the blue shifter pivot extension sits flush in the gear selector arm housing (extra o-rings have been supplied if the installed o-rings should become damaged). Install the supplied snap ring into the bottom groove of the shifter pivot extension using the external snap ring pliers. Verify that the snap ring has fully engaged the groove of the shifter pivot extension (See Figure #3).
STEP 10. Using the supplied lithium grease, lubricate the selector rod pin. Gently insert the selector rod pin through the T-500 polymer composite bushings in the shifter and install the washers that were set aside earlier.

source