25 11 101 Replacing shift rod

Necessary preliminary tasks 

• Remove rear assembly underside protection
• Remove reinforcement carrier on underbody
• REMOVE EXHAUST SYSTEM (M3 only)
• Remove heat shields
• Remove transfer case (AWD)
• Remove transmission crossmember  . See 22 32 050 REPLACING CROSSMEMBER FOR TRANSMISSION MOUNTING (S65) .
• Remove transmission support block (M3 only)

Detach locking clip.

Fig 1: Removing Locking Clip

Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.

Retaining clip must interlock captively with retaining web (1) behind  shift rod pin.

Fig 2: Identifying Retaining Web

Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.

Pull shift rod (1) out of shift rod joint (2).

Installation: 

Grease shift rod pin (3). See GEAR SHIFT MECHANISM - OPERATING FLUIDS .

Fig 3: Pulling Shift Rod From Shift Rod Joint

Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.

Detach locking clip (1).

Remove selector rod (2).

Installation: 

Grease selector rod pin. See GEAR SHIFT MECHANISM - OPERATING FLUIDS .

Fig 4: Identifying Retainer And Shift Rod

Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.