25 11 000 Removing and installing shift lever

WARNING: This page does not describe the selected car, but rather 7 other vehicles, including the 2010 BMW X3, 2009 BMW X3, 2008 BMW X3, 2007 BMW X3, and 2006 BMW X3. However, it is still accessible from the selected car via links, so may be relevant.

Special tools required:

25 1 120 PIN WRENCH

Necessary preliminary tasks:

Remove complete exhaust system, see 18 00 020 REMOVING AND INSTALLING COMPLETE EXHAUST SYSTEM .
Remove heat shield.
Remove transmission cross-member, see 22 31 050 REPLACING CROSS-MEMBER FOR TRANSMISSION MOUNTING .

Unfasten screws.

Tightening torque: 6AZ, see 26 11 PROPELLER SHAFT, COMPLETE .

Fig 1: Screws

Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.

NOTE: Lower transmission.

IMPORTANT: Risk of damage:
Engine must not rest against bulkhead.

Detach knob with a firm tug.

NOTE: Do not turn knob when detaching as this will shear off the turning lock in the knob.

Installation:

Fit knob on selector lever, align and press on until it snaps noticeably into place.

NOTE: Illustration shows E46.

Fig 2: Detaching Knob With Firm Tug

Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.

Press installation frame of rubber gaiter (1) together a little and remove rubber gaiter (1) from center console.

Fig 3: Rubber Gaiter

Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.

Installation:

Feed rubber gaiter (1) downwards and fit on selector lever (2).

Pull rubber gaiter (1) over selector lever and insert in center console.

Fig 4: Rubber Gaiter And Selector Lever

Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.

Installation:

Push rubber gaiter (1) down until groove (2) is fully exposed.

Fig 5: Pushing Rubber Gaiter Down

Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.

Remove soundproofing (1).

Fig 6: Soundproofing

Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.

Lever out fixture (1) in direction of arrow.

Remove shims (3).

Pull selector rod (2) in direction of arrow.

Installation:

Grease selector rod pin.

Make sure shims (3) are in correct position.

Fig 7: Pulling Selector Rod

Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.

Insert special tool 25 1 120 in mounting and turn 90° counterclockwise.

Press mount upwards out of selector arm.

Fig 8: Inserting Special Tool And Turning Counterclockwise

Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.

Remove rubber gaiter from body cutout and lift out with selector lever.

Fig 9: Rubber Gaiter And Selector Lever

Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.

Installation:

Insert rubber gaiter with arrow in direction of travel towards front.

Fig 10: Inserting Rubber Gaiter

Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.

Installation:

Grease selector lever ball.

Install selector lever in selector arm.

Align mount:

Arrows on mount in longitudinal axis of vehicle.
Retaining lugs of mount, transverse to direction of travel.

Fig 11: Aligning Mount In Longitudinal Axis Of Vehicle

Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.

Installation:

Press mount in area of retaining lugs into selector arm until it audibly snaps into place.

Fig 12: Pressing Mount In Area Of Retaining Lugs Into Selector Arm

Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.

Installation:

Pull inner rubber gaiter over bowl on selector arm and press outer rubber gaiter into body cutout.

Fig 13: Pulling Inner Rubber Gaiter Over Bowl On Selector Arm

Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.