Hi all , I've just had a new clutch fitted and although my gear change was never great it feels very stiff .. any ideas what to do?
Stiff gear change
- Thread starter Apricotinterior
- Start date
- Joined
- Nov 25, 2012
- Points
- 178
- Location
- Newport, South Wales,UK
- Model of Z
- Z3 M43 1.8 (1999) and Z4 E85 2.5 (2003)
Change the gearbox oil see if that makes a difference, if it’s still got bmw fill for life in it then it wil be well past it’s best by now, new oil will loosen the changes for the better
Great thanks what's the best oil to buy ?
- Joined
- Nov 25, 2012
- Points
- 178
- Location
- Newport, South Wales,UK
- Model of Z
- Z3 M43 1.8 (1999) and Z4 E85 2.5 (2003)
Have a look on Opie Oils site put your reg no in for reccomendations, some models use ATF in the gearbox others use oil.
Ok thanks
Oil won't do much. Is the gear lever stiff when the engine is turned off? If not, it's most likely clutch drag caused by the friction plate binding on the input shaft. Short of removing the box again there's nothing you can do about it.
If it is stiff with the engine off, it could be that the gearlever to shift rod joint is in need of lubrication - you can fire some WD40 into it from under the car.
If it is stiff with the engine off, it could be that the gearlever to shift rod joint is in need of lubrication - you can fire some WD40 into it from under the car.
It' gets better as the car warms up it's mainly the initial few gear changes as I said it's a complete new clutch a week ago so got to be linkage/ oil problem but I'll definitely try the WD-40 thing
Sounds as though new gear oil is the way to go, many members have seen the benefit.
Tony.
Tony.
Yes it arrives on Wednesday I shall be elbow deep Saturday morning lol
Before draining the gearbox, or Diff. oils make sure you can remove the fill/level plug first.
Tony.
Is the gear change stiff when the engine is turned off?
- If it's stiff, then its gear box related
- If it's free then its clutch related.
The rubber clutch line that goes to the slave (are we still aloud to call it a slave?) cylinder has a habit of ballooning when it gets old. This takes away some fluid that would normally result in slave cylinder piston rod travel. This means the clutch does not dis-engage completely and drags. A new rubber line fixes it and would probably last the remaining life of the car. A new braided stainless steel line fixes it and looks good when you get under the car and can see it.
- If it's stiff, then its gear box related
- If it's free then its clutch related.
The rubber clutch line that goes to the slave (are we still aloud to call it a slave?) cylinder has a habit of ballooning when it gets old. This takes away some fluid that would normally result in slave cylinder piston rod travel. This means the clutch does not dis-engage completely and drags. A new rubber line fixes it and would probably last the remaining life of the car. A new braided stainless steel line fixes it and looks good when you get under the car and can see it.
Dexron II ATF, the same as was used on older automatic boxes. You don't need anything special in a Getrag 250G box.
What can happen is that an inexperienced mechanic can refill with EP80 gear oil. Doesn't do it any harm but the shift can be reluctant when cold.
What can happen is that an inexperienced mechanic can refill with EP80 gear oil. Doesn't do it any harm but the shift can be reluctant when cold.
So am I correct in thinking that automatic transmission oil in a manual box is better 
cheers Gary
cheers GaryI just took ATF back because SA80 is recommended
I really want to put the best in so I'll bow to your greater knowledge and swap it back they have dextron lll is that as good?
Regards Gary
- Joined
- Feb 18, 2016
- Points
- 231
- Model of Z
- Z3M Imola and Z4 (e89)
Oil change will help some and certainly wont hinder but the culprit will be the shift pins & bushes, since mine were changed the car slips easily into all gears cold, hot, engine running or not. When the box was out for a new clutch that was the time to change them.
zroadster.org
#ZedShed - Z3M Clutch and Gearbox Shift Pins
Over the next two days we’ve taken in @Nodzed stunning Z3M in primer. :D He was complaining of a noisy release bearing and the gearstick sitting to the right when cold both of which are quite common on all Z3’s. All the larger engine Z3’s use the same gearbox, even the M’s. So the first thing...
zroadster.org
There are shift/detent pin kits for the ZF gear boxes as they have a problem with the liners/bearings expanding, causing the stiff shifts. The Getrag gear boxes do not have shift/detent pin kits as they don't have the same problem.
@Nodzed your Z3M has the ZF gear box the OP has a Getrag gear box.
@Nodzed your Z3M has the ZF gear box the OP has a Getrag gear box.