General B&M Install Notes

[bigmistat427]

I just installed my B&M Shifter yesterday with some notes that I took along the way to help out anyone that may have to attempt this in the future.

1) Do not follow the instructions that it came with too closely, you may have to skip certain steps and then come back. The pictures are terrible and blurry and will often leave you confused.

2) Before removing the linkages from the OEM shifter, I suggest removing the Torx screws and that assembly first. It makes this much easier with less of a chance of damaging the linkages.

3) Mark the linkages. This makes a big difference when attempting to line up them back up at the end.

4) Make sure that the "plastic gear holder" (my own term, pieces of plastic that whole the linkages in place) is snapped back in SECURELY when reattaching the shifter. I did push it down until it snapped back into place and on my test run my 4th and 2nd gears were "floating" while in gear... no good.

5) Good luck with that zip tie...

Once installed however, the shifter is amazing. Big difference right off the bat. Feels more Stable, aluminum bushings made a tremendous difference. Biggest change is getting used to new neutral location, as well as gear locations. I honestly have no idea what gear im in when Im driving anymore if i look down at the shifter. 1st gear is easy, but the rest are all over, for instance, old neutral is now 4th gear. Much shorter throws, also smoother.

Also, for anyone that has this installed I have a quick question....

When you put it into 5th gear, do you hear a metallic clicking? I'm almost positive this is from the new metal ball instead of the plastic ball, but It's always safe to check.

[CrapWeasel]

I will agree that the directions totally suck. They leave stuff out. As far as the clicking you're hearing, did you put the pivot cup on the pivot? Because it might be that metal arm on the pivot clicking against the other mechanism that pulls that cable. At that point in the directions I was getting so frustrated that I kind of stopped looking at them and the only reason I put it on is because I checked the box to see if I had any extra parts.

The shifter is totally awesome though.

[bigmistat427]

Yup, pivot cup is installed.

[CrapWeasel]

Maybe it is the reverse lockout cliking against that little ridge that it needs to go over. I noticed that on my way in to work.

[bigmistat427]

I think that might be what it is... still not sure...

[01SS05RL]

Originally Posted by CrapWeasel

I will agree that the directions totally suck. They leave stuff out. As far as the clicking you're hearing, did you put the pivot cup on the pivot? Because it might be that metal arm on the pivot clicking against the other mechanism that pulls that cable. At that point in the directions I was getting so frustrated that I kind of stopped looking at them and the only reason I put it on is because I checked the box to see if I had any extra parts.

The shifter is totally awesome though.

I thought the directions were OK. Except for the 12mm part. Mine was making a metallic clicking also. It was the spring for the reverse lockout hitting the shifter stick. I used a piece of the foam that was around the spring on the stock one. Completely gone now!
Love the shifter!!

[Sp00ner]

Originally Posted by 01SS05RL

I thought the directions were OK. Except for the 12mm part. Mine was making a metallic clicking also. It was the spring for the reverse lockout hitting the shifter stick. I used a piece of the foam that was around the spring on the stock one. Completely gone now!
Love the shifter!!

I had to use the socket that it called for. I got the one you suggested, and it was the wrong one. How odd...

[bigmistat427]

I didn't even try to use the one the instructions suggested- went right to the one he used. What year are your cars? Mine is an '04

[01SS05RL]

Originally Posted by Sp00ner

I had to use the socket that it called for. I got the one you suggested, and it was the wrong one. How odd...

Wow, that is odd! Sorry! Mine is an 05 if that matters

[Sp00ner]

'05 as well here...