Picture Request: Interior Stuff

[JupiterBMW]

Does anyone have any photos of the shifter with the shift knob removed? Perhaps photos of the inside of the shift knob (6 spd)... Also, looking for pics with the E-brake handle removed...

I'm looking to replace my shift knob and e-brake handle with those from an E90 (the perforated leather M-sport parts), and I'm curious how the fit would be. So, hoping some of you can post pics of the shift/e-brake levers and the inside of the knob/handle...

Thanks in advance!

[zj96sc]

Shift lever (UUC Evo3 shown but functionality is identical to OEM):

http://i81.photobucket.com/albums/j234/paulkeith/cars/Silbergrau_ZHP/Evo3_plus_DSSR/IMG_0654Large.jpg

Inside of the knob.......below is what ultimately lives inside any BMW shift knob...really just a mirror image of the above. Cylinder with tabs on the open end catch the lip around the bottom (hold it on) and two notches that seat in the groove up top (keep it from spinning).

http://i81.photobucket.com/albums/j234/paulkeith/cars/Silbergrau_ZHP/Golfball/IMG_0748Large.jpg

No pics of the e-brake handle; its just a metal cylinder. Handle is a interference fit, nothing more. It just pulls off (with he-man strength).

[JupiterBMW]

Hmm, ok, thanks so much.

[Hermes]

the new ebrake handle will go on very easy compared to taking the old one off. I'm guessing the plastic shrinks over time

[JupiterBMW]

JP, are you speaking from experience?? I was hoping to get pics and be able to fab something up if necessary while I was out on the ship. I always have these awesome ideas, but now I'm out here on my ship with all the tools, and no real idea for what I may or may not need... Hmm

[Hermes]

Yes, from experience. I have the Performance Aluminum/Alcantara handle which is the same basic design as the one you're getting. It's not really an issue but there is something that could be made to adapt them better. Unfortunately you're not gonna be able to do that without the car in front of you. Basically it would require some extra plastic molded in the barrel of the handle so it sits correctly. I don't think I can really explain it properly without pictures... which I don't have at the moment. I'll try to take some for you tomorrow so I can better explain what I'm talking about


edit: just wondering but are you gonna stop in SoCal again on your way home? I'll try to make it out and meet up with you if you do. Maybe I can drag Albert out with me

[das boots]

I always have these awesome ideas, but now I'm out here on my ship with all the tools, and no real idea for what I may or may not need... Hmm


Jon....too much time on your hands????? Hmmmm.....

[JupiterBMW]

JP... Yeah, I definitely know what you're saying. Well, how about this... I have access to all kinds of fabrication equipment on the ship here, and I can typically make just about anything. That being said, if you're willing to do some work (detailed, clear photos and measurements) for me, I'll be able to make an adapter that will help these knobs fit perfect and securely. We could easily design a bushing/sleeve that will fit over the shifter and take up any slack inside there to make the knobs rock solid...

As for SoCal, yes... Our ship heads into Long Beach all the time. In fact, we're on our way there now, bringing in 900,000 barrels of oil. :) I think we're scheduled to hit land around the 4th. Of course, I can let you know more as time gets closer. If we were to jump on this right away, I could probably have something made up by the time we get there.

[az3579]

Jon,
For the shift knob, refer to my thread here on installation. There's a tiny bit of modification required to make it look right when fitted.
http://www.zhpmafia.com/forums/showthread.php?2962-BMW-E9x-E82-M-Sport-Shift-Knob-Retrofit-for-your-E46

[JupiterBMW]

BP, seriously, that is EXACTLY what I want to do. Are you still running the M sport knob/handle? Thoughts?? Geezus, why didn't I find this thread earlier!! Thanks!!

[az3579]

I ran the M-Sport knob for a while.

At first I really liked it because it was different. I was so used to the ZHP knob that I felt I could do with a change.
I ran it for a while, and then realized that I actually have a harder time shifting smoothly with it. This has something to do with how it feels when you're shifting gears. For some weird reason, my rev matches don't turn out perfectly with this knob. I can probably attribute this to the fact that I don't always rev-match perfectly with the timing of the shift even with the ZHP knob and perhaps I just happened to have that knob installed on the days where my shifting wasn't up to par anyway. Who knows, but to this day I still alternate between the two. I love the look of the thing, though the perforated leather on it doesn't seem to match anything in my interior at this time. It did when I installed it, since I had black cube.

Overall I do like it, despite the different feel to the ZHP knob.

[JupiterBMW]

Hmm, thanks for the input man. I am honestly not too worried about shifting abilities as I typically drive really mellow and shift slowly. I don't plan on racing or tracking the car. The occasional 1-2-3 rip off a stoplight or something, but that's about it...

I am mostly going for the look. Currently I have natural brown with black cube interior... I am getting a replacement wheel and boots from Coby (OEM grey alcantara for all 3) and I think the perforated shift knob and e-brake handle would be a good look.

All I need to do now is find a place to get the knob and e-brake handle...

[JupiterBMW]

Hmm, thanks for the input man. I am honestly not too worried about shifting abilities as I typically drive really mellow and shift slowly. I don't plan on racing or tracking the car. The occasional 1-2-3 rip off a stoplight or something, but that's about it...

I am mostly going for the look. Currently I have natural brown with black cube interior... I am getting a replacement wheel and boots from Coby (OEM grey alcantara for all 3) and I think the perforated shift knob and e-brake handle would be a good look.

All I need to do now is find a place to get the knob and e-brake handle...

[Hermes]

ok, sorry it took so long. Here are the pics (excuse the dirt in my car)

http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c288/jhermes/P1050627.jpg

this is on the bottom side where the original one locks in
http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c288/jhermes/P1050628.jpg

they are the same length but there are significant differences
http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c288/jhermes/P1050626.jpg

http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c288/jhermes/P1050624.jpg

the is from the back of the old one, you can see where there is a molded plastic piece that mates to that point in the second picture
http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c288/jhermes/P1050623.jpg

http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c288/jhermes/P1050622.jpg


http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c288/jhermes/P1050617.jpg

so the E9x/E82 handle does not have that little plastic thing, it has what I can only explain as the mirror of the E46 handle.

http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c288/jhermes/P1050621.jpg

I really can't think of what could be done besides just molding some plastic to match that notch in the E46 version. I don't think a sleeve would work because there isn't really that much room to play with. It's not loose as you can tell by the scratches inside the handle from putting it on, it's just able to spin (if you twist it) because it doesn't have that molded piece to lock it in place.

[JupiterBMW]

Ok, so if I'm following correctly, at the forward edge of the e-brake handles, the E46 handle has a locating spline in it that mates to the corresponding female spline on the e-brake lever. The E9x handle has basically the same spline as the E46 handle, but its ALSO a female spline (notch as opposed to the ridge) just like the e-brake lever. So, if I were to machine a small rectangular 'key' that could fit into the two corresponding female splines (the e-brake lever and the E9x handle) it would essentially keep it from being able to rotate...

Correct?

[Hermes]

I think that would solve it. I've never look at the ebrake on an E9x so I'm guessing it has something that fits in that notch

[JupiterBMW]

Ok, easy enough... Is this something that you have out of the car? Would it be possible for you to get me length/width/depth measurements? Of course, I'll send you the first key so you can test fit and tell me if it works correctly or not.

So frustrating not being home and being able to do stuff on my car!

[Hermes]

Yeah I have it out right now, I just don't know what I would use to measure the inside of the handle. I'll figure something out and get back to you

[JupiterBMW]

Hmm, I don't suppose you have a digital caliper... No worries, if you can get me some close numbers, I can make some stuff up. Ideally, if it fits snug currently and the only problem is that it rotates, a small 'key' in there might be just right to make it 100% secure...

Thanks in advance!

[Hermes]

I actually think I might be able to make something. I have some little trimmed ends from my wood floor, I can probably make a key out of a piece of that. I would just have to cut the general shape and sand it down until it fits

[JupiterBMW]

I was thinking of doing something in brass. Hard enough to last, yet a soft enough metal that it won't cause any wear or damage to the e-brake lever or handle.


Sent from my iPhone 4/4S hybrid on Tapatalk...

[Hermes]

Yeah it's gonna need to be stronger, brass would work. I got it to a point where it was about the right size and test fit it...

http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c288/jhermes/P1050631.jpg

http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c288/jhermes/P1050630.jpg

and then I tried twisting the handle and the wood snapped.

http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c288/jhermes/P1050634.jpg

I'll have to make another one and get you some measurements

[JupiterBMW]

Perfect man, sounds great! If you can do it in the next day or so, hopefully I can make something by the time we get to Long Beach. From there, I can try and get ashore to mail it to you...

[das boots]

Maybe if you are able to find the right size of shaft key that they use on electric motors, then they would hold a lot better.

[JupiterBMW]

Maybe if you are able to find the right size of shaft key that they use on electric motors, then they would hold a lot better.

Yes, that is basically what I'd be producing. We have a bunch of keys on here, so perhaps I could get lucky and find the right one, but if not, I could very easily machine one...

[Hermes]

Lawrence, do you have digital calipers at your house so we can measure this thing?

[das boots]

Negative.


Edit: Belay the last...Affirmative. I do have one. There goes my senior moments. Swing by anytime tommorrow after 3 PM.

[Hermes]

sounds good, I'll call you tomorrow

[JupiterBMW]

Werd to the two of you... JP, are you in San Diego? I thought you mentioned coming up to Long Beach at some point? That's seriously far, so don't worry if you don't want to make it. I have to get ashore to mail the coilover tool to Dane when we get down there, so hopefully I'll get a chance to put some of these keys in the mail to you as well.

[Hermes]

yeah, we're both in SD. Long Beach isn't exactly close but it's not too far either. Maybe I'll catch you next time you're coming through this way

[das boots]

+1.

[JupiterBMW]

Sounds good. If anything, get me those measurements and I'll work on making a few keys... And I still have to locate the damn M-sport shift knob and e-brake handle...

[Hermes]

ok

front is a square with sides of 0.154 in

rear should be slightly rectangular because the handle has a slight angle in the barrel, so the height in the rear should be more like 0.160-0.165 in. Basically the bottom face should be slightly longer than the top.

The bottom also could use a slight rounded shape so it sits properly against the curved inside of the handle. Keep the first 0.15 in square so it sits in the notch on the handle securely

the slot on the brake itself is 0.158 in wide by 0.9 in long


anything else I missed?

[JupiterBMW]

JP, sounds good. I didn't forget about you and this part. I will get on this, just been kind of slammed at work lately...

[Hermes]

no worries, I'm not even using that handle right now so take your time