UUC Short shift kit install

The HACK and I did it a few weekends ago. I wouldn't say it was easy, though it was straightforward with the instructions UUC provides and a couple of pages out of the Bentley manual.

No need for special tools, luckily, though the entire car should be 6-10in off the ground for access. We had my car up on jackstands in front and ramps in back.

Look at my writeup and his followup at

link from install day

Thanks for the link and write-up

Kaz (and Hack),
Thanks for the link and write-up on the SSK.
I think I may give it a shot and just try to break off the clip from the carrier assembly, since I got an extra in my kit. Can you recommend the best (safest) way to do this?
I like Hack's idea of putting the boot on the assembly first before putting it in the car. I will give that a try.

If you have any other advise on the matter, let me know.

-TC

The problem with the clip is that its just a major PITA to get to, since the side with the release tab is on the unreachable/invisible (left) side of the tranny, so you gotta attack it from the right, and its tucked way up and forward in the tunnel. You'll see when you start that the replacement clip is designed to be reachable from the 'visible' side instead. Now, I don't know how different it is on a 330 since it has a totally different tranny than my 325. For your sake I hope its easier to get to.

Good luck!

Another trick to attemp on the clip is that you can actually use a very small screwdriver to lift it slightly. And since it's flexible metal once its lifted slightly you can insert another screwdriver into the side that's facing out. Once you have the screw driver inserted, just hammer away to break it off the transmission mount.

I'm getting my SSK from the group buy sometime next week, if you want to wait, and don't mind the drive up to OC or L.A., we can possibly get together at Kaz's house to borrow his tools, and I can help you install yours as well when I get mine...

That is, if Kaz don't mind. Or if you don't mind the long drive up to L.A we can pick a good weekend and you can drive to my pad. I've got most of the tools but my jack, jackstands, and ramps aren't as sturdy as Kaz's.

SSK install

That is a great offer that I would love to take you guy's up on, but I'm going to HP driving school at Buttonwillow March 9-10 so I really want to get this installed this weekend to give me a week to practice.

Maybe I'll ask for more advice when I get my sways!!!

Thanks again for the offer,

-Tim

Re: SSK install

TC330Ci said:

That is a great offer that I would love to take you guy's up on, but I'm going to HP driving school at Buttonwillow March 9-10 so I really want to get this installed this weekend to give me a week to practice.

Maybe I'll ask for more advice when I get my sways!!!

Thanks again for the offer,

-Tim

Click to expand...

Good, that's one less HELL SPAWN CLIP FROM THE 9TH LEVEL I'd have to worry about.

Install question

Kaz or Hack,
I did the install in my 330 yesterday and what I thought would be the tough parts turned out not so bad. However, when I tried to install the ERK on the carrier and insert it back into position, I couldn't get it to fit because of the ERK cup. So, I thought it would be easier to just take of the ERK and replace it after installing the carrier.

Everything went fine I got the front clip on and the shifter fit the bearing (after a little sanding) but I was only able to get two of the four screws into the ERK. The two on the passengers side didn't look too bad, but getting my fingers in there from inside the car or underneath was tourture.

Bottom line is I only have two of the four screws in.
I took it to a couple of places today and had no luck.

I talked to Rob from UUC and he didn't have any tricks. He did think I should be able to get the carrier in with the ERK installed, but I really dont want to take it all apart again. (especially since I broke the front clip the first time and no longer have a spare)

I have an idea. Could one of you check your bently manual (high on my shopping list) and see if there is a way to remove the brace that holds up the REAR of the carrier assembly. If I could remove this, I could pull the shifter down a bit and be able to access the holes from underneath.

I would greately appreciate knowing if this can be done. Or if you or anyone has another idea for getting these screws in, that would be great too.

Wish I could have waited to work with you guys,

-Tim

ERK... Well, I have a 325 so the ERK is NA, so I can't help much there. In looking at it, though, it is a bit of a hokey setup, and what's really needed is a new carrier with the relocation bit made as part of the carrier itself (I think the RE one is like this??). That being said, getting the carrier back in over the driveshaft without a ERK wasn't exactly easy so the added height certainly can't help.

As for the rear bracket, it appears to be non-removable, and I don't believe the Bentley makes any mention of it being otherwise.