924Board.org

[8string]

I thought that you guys would get a kick out of my story from this weekend. My brothers-in-law and I decided to team up and finish stripping the 931 parts car. We were working on getting the torque tube housing separated from the transmission, and we couldn't figure out what was fastening the two together at the top. I had a mirror and a flashlight and was poking around from underneath, when i noticed that one side (passenger) had an odd cylinder where a bolt would likely be, and the other (driver's) side had no bolt. It just wasn't coming out.

Since the car's a junker, we decided to cut this section of the body, at the hump, away to see what we were dealing with. Here's what we found:



The PO, or his mechanic, lost a socket on the bolt and obviously couldn't get it off. The other side had nothing, meaning they just gave up. I wonder how long the PO drove around with 2 and a half bolts holding the torque tube housing to the transmission!

We tried brute force to get it of, and couldn't do much beside use a chisel, due to the tight space. I decided to apply heat from the torch (like the axle nuts), and we were able to use a hammer and chisel to back it out.

The entire suspension and drive train are now out, and this car is going to the dump.
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'78 924 - new home in Northern Az.!
'97 Z3 2.8
'07 328i

[emoore924]

Re: reason for the socket still on the bolt

"...because that way he'll *always* know where it is."

(Attributable to Maude from the movie "Harold and Maude" when she throws his gift of a small coin with "Harold Loves Maude" imprinted on it into a pond.)

Applies to golf balls as well.

I'd bet he didn't have another socket in that size and that's why the second bolt isn't there -- no socket to screw it in with.

[Johno]

Great photo, I really have a question as I have a sloppy shifter and was told to replace the bushing at the end of the shift linkage - I have the 5 speed with the 1st gear down and to the left - Snailshell - would this be that set-up? Becuase if this is where the bushing is located - I don't see anyway of replacing it without making that nifty access hole like you made. Let me know
Thanks
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79 924 NA

[CMXXXI]

Interesting. I suspect the guy got his socket stuck on there because the correct bolts are hex-keyed. I'd bet the guy put on a standard hex bolt and went at it with an impact wrench, wedging the bolt into the socket.

Johno - yes this is the Snailshell linkage. The "normal" way to replace the bushings at the end of that selector shaft is to remove the transmission and the rod. I've read here on the Board that a couple of members have in fact cut an access hole, but I personally think that is sort of extreme. Regardless, you have to remove the rod to replace the bushings in order to get the cross-pin out, it is pressed through the selector shaft. If you do go this route, beware that there is a brake line "right there" between the metal chassis and the linkage rods.

The guide rod can also be seen in the photo, to the top and left, with it's cup-shaped link (and you can make out the deteriorated lining in the cup). It goes over the ball that sticks up on the torque tube.
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'79 Eurospec 931

[8string]

Just above the red circle, you can see where we had to cut the seatbelt hold-back thingy away to get the backseat out. The fcuking thing just spun around as I was trying to get it out on the passenger's side. We VERY CAREFULLY used an angle grinder.
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'78 924 - new home in Northern Az.!
'97 Z3 2.8
'07 328i

[numbbers]

Well guys, the bolt with the socket on it is the one that is a bitch to get too on the snailshell. I know, mine has been out three times over the years. And yes, it should be an allen head. But, that doesn't make it any easier.

Johno, yes you can replace your bushing without cutting a hole in the floor, but you will have to drop the trans. Just follow the Haynes. I recommend a transmission jack, or an adapter for a floor jack, and a couple of rachet tie downs to secure the trans to the jack/adapter. I bought my adapter from Harbor Freight.
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1980 924 Turbo

[924guy]

you can replace the shift linkage bushing without cutting a hole , its tricky though..get the car up high on jacks stands, some good lighting, some metric obstruction wrenches,socket swivels, etc. and some small inspection mirrors..its been a long time, but i think i may have removed the linkage arm from the tranny completely , and at the shift rod side and rebuilt the whole assembly on the bench... cant remember in detail, but i know it can be done if your patient and work the angles..
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Eric
78 924
82 931 SE "smokey"
99' VehiCross
Y2K Honda Insight
http://www.cardomain.com/id/924Guy
Performance by Pasha

[emoore924]

...and that little u-shaped wire-looking thingie that comes up from the bottom, goes *right* over the linkage coupling and goes back to the bottom is the brake line you cut by accident when you're cutting the access hole for the conical bolt that holds the linkage on the tranny.

Ask me how I know this...

[924guy]

after thinking about it a bit, i think i did this job when i dropped the transaxle out.., not really all that difficult, to drop it.. and much better than cutting imho.. i used the mirrors and such to adjust everything once back together..
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Eric
78 924
82 931 SE "smokey"
99' VehiCross
Y2K Honda Insight
http://www.cardomain.com/id/924Guy
Performance by Pasha

[8string]

Good point, emoore. We nicked the brake line, but it's a junker now, and I'm not worried about it. I suppose that a power metal shear would be the right tool to cut a hole, if you had to do it.

I would drop the whole thing if I had to work on it. My plan is to re-build the tranny and torque tube / shifter stff, and put it in the 924. This was from an '80 931.
_________________
'78 924 - new home in Northern Az.!
'97 Z3 2.8
'07 328i