Transmission and sloppy linkage

[FastFiver]

I've got what I think is a G265 in my '85 535i. I say I think because I'm not sure what my mechanic neighbor put in the car when he put the drivetrain in it. Anyway, the transmission is heading towards replacement; the synchros don't seem to want to work, it is difficult to put into reverse, gear grinding is a constant issue... SOOO, I'm wondering if replacing the very very sloppy linkage could, would, should fix this type of problem, if the transmission is not the problem? Would a worn linkage cause the transmission to not shift into gear properly, causing these types of problems? I really don't want to R&R the transmission, but I will do it if it is the only course of action.

[Mark 88/M5 Houston]

Check the linkage mountings. On the 533 (260/5) the front mounts were worn and the hardware loose and it caused difficulty in finding 1st and revese at a standstill. new mounts and tight hardware cured it.

http://www.realoem.com/bmw/showparts.do ... g=25&fg=05

[Threeshifter]

Have you checked to make sure your clutch hydraulic system is working properly? That is, when you depress the clutch pedal, does the clutch fully disengaged? A dragging clutch will grind gears and make hard shifts.

Synchronizers typically go out on one gear. My Saab has a very bad first gear synchronizer and a not very good second gear synchronizer. This is due to more cycles of shifting on the 1st and 2nd gears and poorly designed synchronizers.

If the linkage is worn, Id bet that reverse is the first gear that would be hard to reach because it has the largest rotational component involved in the shifter swing. Most of the play in my old shifter linkage, and now my slightly new rebuilt linkage, is rotational (left to right as opposed to forward and backward).

I would look at the linkage and the clutch hydraulics first. You will need both working even if you have to swap the trans.