540i 6-speed shifter can only select 2 gears - no reverse

My apologies if this has been answered already but-

I went to start my '98 540i this morning, and found there was no resistance or 'detent' to get over to reverse - it is all loose. Further, when moving the ****er up or down, it will go into gear (3rd/4th I believe), but I can move it fully left or right and it stays in gear. I have read about a similar problem on the e36 5-speeds and it sounds similar - does anyone have experience with this on the e39? I have a Rogue Engineering short shift kit installed.

I lifted it up and the cup and circlip look fine and the selector rod is connected correctly to the shift lever. I'm thinking I may have to drop the trans and replace the detent pins? Does anyone know the part numbers? Or how difficult this is or estimate on labor hours?

Thanks,

The only 6-speed problem of which I'm aware is a condition that makes it difficult to shift out of 3rd gear. This requires replacing the detents, which does not require trans removal.

I suspect there is a problem with the external shift linkage. Get under the car and have someone do some shifting while you watch the linkage.

There is a Y-shaped metal support which carries the shifter. It's mounted in rubber, which may be rotten.