X5 E53 2001 3.0l 5 speed Manual - sloppy shift linkage

[shedtastic]

Hello all, I promise I have tried to search the forum (and others) for this topic - but can't seem to find anything relevant (though I am happy to be proved wrong..)

The shift linkage in our X5 has deteriorated noticeably in the last few months, has anyone refurbished theirs? I have done this job on a much older 3 series and did not enjoy it.. I assume it's the same case f needing to drop the driveshaft and the exhaust to get access? If so I might just live with it..

I'm kind of hoping someone can tell me that the more modern X5 has better clearance underneath, or a better design overall and that a sloppy inkage is most likely down to a single, easily replaced from inside the car, $5 part..

Andy advice, etc. Neil.

[williamx5]

Good day!

All the times I had slop in the shifter it ended up being the shifter itself... I guess it could also be the gearshift rod joint (#12)... In short, one of the two spots the selector rod goes thru, or both...

RealOEM.com - Online BMW Parts Catalog

Should be a little more room to get in there with the X5 being an SAV... I just hugged the transmission in the 540i and went by feel...

Good luck!!

Cheers!!

[Joshdub]

The x5 does have the same shitty design as the rest of the BMWs. Fortunately, there is more room so there is no need to drop the driveshaft or exhaust.

In that link previously posted, replace 2, 4, 6, 10, 11, and 12. It's also a good time to switch to a uuc ssk and remove the CDV if you haven't already.

If your shift feel is still poor, you could have worn shift pins. That's a common issue in the 5 speeds and requires transmission removal to fix.

[Ricky Bobby]

Buying the UUC kit will take care of most everything except #2, #12, and #4 - I didn't have much room up top so I left #2 and #12, I replaced #4 just for the hell of it with my UUC install