Transmission mounting problem

Hi all,

I recently replaced the guibo and center support bearing on my girlfriend's e30 ('89 convertible, 5 speed). After putting it back together, the transmission sits high on one side, and it makes a scraping sound when it's in any of the 2nd and 4th gear (the rear gears).

I had a jack under the transmission for part of the job to stabilize it. I also raised the engine several inches (by the oil pan) to lift the engine, so I could put the motor mount back on the passenger side (had to remove temporarily it to get some working room to get the exhaust off).

See pic below.

What is making the transmission sit high, and what can I do to fix it?

Looks like you ripped one of the tranny mounts. The one on the left in the picture looks like it's separated.

Originally Posted by hornhospital

Looks like you ripped one of the tranny mounts. The one on the left in the picture looks like it's separated.

The transmission is supposed to rest on that mount. For some reason it is sitting elevated above it. Any ideas?

Because it's separated. It's junk. Replace it.

go solid mounts

Anyone got a parts car, or work-in-progress, they can loosen one mount on? I'd like to confirm for sure that 'a new mount' is going to fix the problem. I have a feeling it won't. Thanks.

Originally Posted by downhiller

go solid mounts

Where would I get those?

http://www.pelicanparts.com/cgi-bin/...%2FiC%20%20%20

Found the rubber mounts, thanks. I was asking about the solid ones.

I wouldn't recommend solids for a daily driver. Too much NVH.

Originally Posted by Bimmer980

Found the rubber mounts, thanks. I was asking about the solid ones.

all the places ive seen them dont have them anymore or the website doesnt work. but ive only searched the 2 i can remember

Originally Posted by hornhospital

I wouldn't recommend solids for a daily driver. Too much NVH.

+1


OP, check the right front engine mount (diagonally opposite) hasnt collapsed.

Found the noise coming from gears 2 and 4. There's a circular piece of metal (stabilizing part?) that goes around the driveshaft, it's part of it, you can see it (the circular part in the upper right corner) in the picture. It rubs against the 'arm' that runs between the bottom of the shifter and the transmission.

I think the driveshaft is holding the transmission higher than it normally should be?

Is there a specific way to lower the driveshaft. I don't want to drop the exhaust again...

it does automatically shorten unless you bent/was given the wrong CSB when doing the first project. i would really turn your focus at the engine and tranny mounts before you start messing with the driveshaft again

Get brave and admit it went wrong in the re assembly stage. take it to bits and put it back together properly - maybe using a manual this time. No easy way out of this.

Originally Posted by _Ethrty-Andy_

+1


OP, check the right front engine mount (diagonally opposite) hasnt collapsed.

Thanks Andy, I missed your post above. I actually removed that mount to get some space when getting the exhaust loose. Sounds like I could have changed the engine positioning or a number of things. If I'm understanding you correctly, I'd want to raise that side of the engine, correct?

Originally Posted by downhiller

it does automatically shorten unless you bent/was given the wrong CSB when doing the first project. i would really turn your focus at the engine and tranny mounts before you start messing with the driveshaft again

That makes a lot of sense...Andy's post clarified things. I think the CSB was the right one, but if worse comes to worse, I'll be seeing it again :/

Originally Posted by BMWFatherFigure

Get brave and admit it went wrong in the re assembly stage. take it to bits and put it back together properly - maybe using a manual this time. No easy way out of this.

It could have (possibly) gone wrong, but the rest of your post is reaching, quite a bit. We'll save our 'other' opinions for later. Thanks.

For those wondering,

The transmission mounting bracket is asymmetrical, and I had it turned around backwards ... I figured this out after taking a careful, careful second look.

dont know how i missed that, i was even looking at the picture for a second time now before reading your post above thinking gosh that right side mount looks squished like the marshmellow part of a s'more lol