How to Remove and Disassemble DCT Shift Selector

[Luxury]

Hi! I was inspired by this. So I did this. Some photos were taken retroactively, sorry. It's my first how to.

1st. REMOVAL

You need a trim tool. Insert the tool into the side of the selector trim. Just inserting it was enough to pop up the first clip, which looses the whole piece.



As this point you've got the trim loose. You can disconnect the selector cable, which which has two tabs on the side. Press them in and shimy the connector and it'll come free from its tight fit. Now there's also the pink connector for the Sport button.

I did not remove disconnect it before removing the selector knob but think I should have. The jerk from removing the selector knob was mighty enough, I think I pull the cable a little. Anyway, now the trim is much more free and you can remove the assembly by pressing on the front tabs (the side ones in the photo below) to free the yellow frame from the trim.

[Luxury]

2. Easy disassembly

You've got this now.


Remove the chrome. It stays in place with friction fit with 5 posts. Relate the photo to yours and pay attention to the angle of the posts. I used the flat side of a screwdriver to push the button part of the chrome to start it. You can use a fingernail and pretty much separate it by hand.

You can detach the computer board by loosening the two torx screws. Also notice the 5 post holes.


To remove the leather face plate it is three torx screws. I recommend leaving one in a just bit and pushing on it to separate the faceplate from the chrome. It kinda wants to stay in the chrome piece otherwise.

[Luxury]

3. Woah, not so fast. This is the strenuous bit. Not difficult but there's a chance you ruin the selector cable. See if you removing the wire from the black connector, it still won't fit through the selector handle. Do not try to separate the orange connector!!! Yep, BMW must've assembled one of the ends of this wire after looming it through the selector handle. Now there's not enough room. Well we'll see about that. My first objective was to remove enough material to permit the wire leads, from the black connector, going through.
Before (with markings for eventual removal)



After (gosh is that ugly, but it worked!) I promise it gets better.

I used a drill bit to start. Notice the blue dots above. Somewhere like there. Drilled multiple holes. I used a larger bit to connect them. Pay attention to your bit depth, for cosmetic, wear, and control reasons. AND of course, make sure you pay attention to the angle you're drilling. Because there is wire below the bit on both sides you should conscious of how you can knick it in front and behind. Also, the rest of the wire can be in the way and be rubbed.
So, then I had two holes, technically three if you consider the one BMW molded. One on each side of the center support crap. Time to connect them. I grabbed a flathead and broke the small bridge that still separate each new hole from the BMW one. Now it's time to get the wire out of that war zone.

[Luxury]

4. Depinning

The black connector separates like this. I used a very small flathead in the spot below and that was effective.


The pins are set in there like this

Take your very little screw driver and depress the metal dome while gently pulling the wire with your thumb and index or middle finger. I recommend one at a time but more is possible.

It'll click into a new position

Which means you get to depress them all once again. Then it's out.

[Luxury]

Now as far at getting the wire leads through the selector handle. It was a bit of a finagle but once I was able to pull a few through on their own at a time, they were all out quickly and the computer with wires was free. Now it's time to clean up the selector handle hole.

I used a chisel to remove the center tab/support. It was very effective. One run broke it off and the second flushed the surface. I also used a small round file to address most unevenness in the round part. Still could be better but I had a place to be.





If you drill deep, it makes a rutted surface like this.

[Luxury]

viola! You've separated your shift selector assembly! Congrats!