Adding a short shift kit is one of the best ways to improve the shift action in a car. When most vehicles leave the factory, the throws in the shift mechanism are longer than necessary while the weight of the shift throw is usually on the lighter side. Some drivers prefer a more direct shift action. One of the foremost makers of short shift kits for a variety of vehicles is B&M. This is an overview of the steps to installing a B&M shift kit. Detailed directions for specific models can be found on B&M’s website.
Allow the vehicle to cool down if it has recently been driven. Remove the knob from the shift lever. Depending on the type of vehicle you have, the knob may thread off, be held on with a set screw or may just pop off. BMWs, for instance, have shift knobs that are simply pulled off.
Remove the shift lever boot from the center console. Remove any rubber or foam insulation under the boot and the rubber piece around the shift lever. Depending on the model, also remove the center console.
Use a floor jack to raise the vehicle and support it securely on jack stands. The vehicle should be raised at least 2 feet to allow enough access for the short shift kit installation.
From under the vehicle, remove the securing clip or bolts from the end of the gear selector rod. This will vary depending on the vehicle and may necessitate the removal of a heat shield mounted on the exhaust to access the shift rod. Remove the selector rod pin from the end of the shift rod that fastens it to the shift lever if the vehicle has one.
Remove the shift lever. Consult the instructions that came with the shift kit. The lever may be removed from below or from the cabin side of the car.
Clean the inner portion of the gear selector housing where the shift lever was attached and lubricate it with the supplied lithium grease.
Insert the B&M short throw shifter in place of the stock shift lever. If the lever is retained with a snap ring, install the snap ring with the supplied snap ring pliers. Install any applicable O-rings, washers, clips, nuts or bolts and ensure that the shift lever is installed in the same orientation as the original one was.
Lower the vehicle to the ground. Reinstall the rubber gaskets and any insulating material that was removed from around the shift lever. Reinstall the shift boot and the shift knob.
Ensure that the shift lever engages each gear smoothly and without any roughness before driving the vehicle.
