Access hole for trans shifter/bitchclip...

#1

Whilst rasslin the shifter parts out of my car I saw a round hole in the trans tunnel up near where the bitch clip is…one of the AC drain tube holes, hmm why not make it a little bigger? I used a battery pack sawzall and cut a flap, was able to change the shifeter rod and knuckle in seconds…my trans problem ended up being a bad 5th gear instead of a linkage problem so had to change the trans, the access hole made it much easier to deal with the bitch clip…I am going to pop rivet a tab to close it and cover with alum tape.

Al

#2

I did this on my LeMons car to get the trans fluid fill plug out. That 17mm hex plug is a bitch when it’s half stripped and stuck, so going at it from the side was the only way.

#3

A pin and clip or shouldered bolt is a great substitute for the bitch clip. But the bitch clip can be easily removed with a sharpened twisted hose tool. Using a hose tool you simply push the point of the tool past the clip and pull back of the tool. That may not make a lot of sense, but if I get enthusiastic enough I’ll get a picture or two this weekend of the tool in action.

#4

Al - please don’t try to take credit for the tranny portal.

I invented that years ago. Ask Luke to remove the center tunnel console for evidence.

Aluminum Tape, RTV - FTW.

http://forums.bimmerforums.com/forum/showpost.php?p=11704224&postcount=21

#5

I’m hoping to add a similar access panel to my e30 track car and I’m curious if you can give me an idea of where I need to cut the center tunnel?

#6

Will shoot some photos when I get home next week, from memory it is where the flange for the console screw is…

Al