UUC SSK Installed. . . Problems already. . . Tisk Tisk

[jibaholic101]

Hey everybody!

So I got my UUC SSK installed last week, and let me start off by saying how awesome this shifter is! It is like moving the action on a well oiled rifle - really amazing feeling piece.

However, I am not thoroughly satisfied at this point as already I have two problems

1. The shifter rotates/spins while shifting or if you twist it, maybe 5-10 degrees from center
2. There is about .5 inches of play when in gear and neutral.

I know there have been threads on this topic posted up, but after reading them there really weren't any clearly defined solutions, mostly wishy washy information

Regarding the install, it was done by a professional who has done numerous SSKs in the 1 series, it was his first UUC into a 1er although he has done UUC on all kinds of BMWs before. I am almost certain he used that extra yellow washer that was included (there was only one). I am having him take a look again at the problems on Monday, but I wanted to see if there are any solutions to save our time, or if I need to get in touch with UUC regarding quality.

[Snertz]

Did you also install a DSSR or just the SSK on the stock selector rod? I recall there being 2 yellow washers when I did the install on mine, though I also have the DSSR so that might be why 2 were used.

0.5" sounds like a huge amount, when you have him take a look before he pulls it apart try and see if the rod pin can slide side to side on the shifter. I get a little play at neutral but then in gear it's pretty solid.

regarding the twisting the top portion of the shifter has a large nut on the bottom that cinches things up and is used to also set the height. This may have worked loose or wasn't tightened all the way allowing the top portion to rotate slightly.

[jibaholic101]

I just did the SSK, no DSSR, and when I opened the box and inspected the parts, there was only 1 yellow washer, would that be the cause of the play?

[jibaholic101]

here is a video of the in gear play, is this considered "normal"

[akak1997]

That looks like the same amount of play I've got. Still, I won't consider that "Normal"

[jibaholic101]

So it turns out that the slop is at the transmission end, there is no play in the shifter anywhere. It moves as one solid piece with the selector rod

[1SerieStud]

That does not seem anywhere near normal, and in some cars that amount of play could mean the difference between 1st and 3rd gear. Get that fixed. If it didn't do it stock, it has no reason to do it aftermarket.

[mineo77]

ahh, the reason i have stayed away from these things.

[jibaholic101]

Originally Posted by 1SerieStud

That does not seem anywhere near normal, and in some cars that amount of play could mean the difference between 1st and 3rd gear. Get that fixed. If it didn't do it stock, it has no reason to do it aftermarket.

well after today's conclusion, how would one go about fixing the problem? any ideas?

[1SerieStud]

Originally Posted by jibaholic101

well after today's conclusion, how would one go about fixing the problem? any ideas?

I'll be frank with you and tell you that if a company is unable to create a product with OEM quality/functionality or better, then that product does not make it to my car. You are achieving shorter throws at the expense of full/safe functionality, without knowing if any repercussions will surface in the long run, as a result of installing the SSK.

Personally, if I were you, I would go back to stock until a kit comes around that functions as it is supposed to, without sacrificing proper functionality.

Just my advice.

[MZWIE]

About 10 years ago UUC made awesome products. Since then the quality has been steadily declining. I won't use them anymore.

It's a shame. They were considered one of the premier suppliers of aftermarket components for BMW's.

[SixBanger]

I have one in my car and bought a BMW one and I cant wait to swap it out.

[Bdh821]

All I can say about UUC is, they suck. Their products and customer service from my experience was horrible. I'd stay far away from their products personally. Sorry to hear about your issues with the shifter. Return it if you can and buy the BMW SSK if you really want one without issues. That's my .02
Good luck

[GaryS]

There seems to be some difference between the 335i and 135i that affects this UUC SSK. At e90post forum, there are lots of threads about how great it is, but not here.

FWIW I tried the B&M SSK. Itwas too extreme for me. I replaced it with the BMW SSK and I am happy.

[instag8tr]

Originally Posted by GaryS

There seems to be some difference between the 335i and 135i that affects this UUC SSK. At e90post forum, there are lots of threads about how great it is, but not here.

FWIW I tried the B&M SSK. Itwas too extreme for me. I replaced it with the BMW SSK and I am happy.

what do you mean by extreme?

[MadMan77]

I heard about this issue a while back and that is why I went with the revised version of the B&M shifter.

Sorry to hear about your troubles there Jib.

[GaryS]

Originally Posted by instag8tr

what do you mean by extreme?

Very short throws - shorter than an RX-8 or S2000. High effort, notchy, clicks audibly into each gear, sticky in and out of 2nd. So it felt really cool and sporty, but I hated shifting 2-3.

[instag8tr]

Originally Posted by GaryS

Very short throws - shorter than an RX-8 or S2000. High effort, notchy, clicks audibly into each gear, sticky in and out of 2nd. So it felt really cool and sporty, but I hated shifting 2-3.

ok thanks unfortunately i ordered an uuc ssk before i read about all of these problems

[jibaholic101]

Well, it is a little bit late now, I was told that it cannot be returned at all, and I am not about to shell out for more labor plus the ridiculous cost of the BMW SSK. Even then, they still use the cheap plastic shift ball thingy

I just wished they would have advertised the DSSR as a necessity... Does anyone have the DSSR that did NOT have problems?

[akak1997]

The labor to install the DSSR will be the same as installing a different SSK.

Unless you're hiring a 6yr old with really small hands and long arms to do the job. In order to get to the transmission end of the DSSR, you've to remove or fold the exhaust heat shield. If I'm paying someone to do it, I won't let them fold it because once you fold it, it'll always have a crease or slightly bent forever, which means, taking out the mid pipes first, remove heat shield. Then just to make life easier, lower the transmission and support it with a transmission jack.
For other brands SSK, which usually requires replacing the carrier, the same steps needs to be taken to remove the stock carrier.

Originally Posted by jibaholic101

Well, it is a little bit late now, I was told that it cannot be returned at all, and I am not about to shell out for more labor plus the ridiculous cost of the BMW SSK. Even then, they still use the cheap plastic shift ball thingy

I just wished they would have advertised the DSSR as a necessity... Does anyone have the DSSR that did NOT have problems?

[S54dan]

I didn't realize you were having issues with it. Have you contacted UUC?

I'll call them in the A.M and ask them what's going on. My BMW Perf. SSK has almost the same amount of play though.. I can shoot a video tomorrow.

[jibaholic101]

Originally Posted by akak1997

The labor to install the DSSR will be the same as installing a different SSK.

Unless you're hiring a 6yr old with really small hands and long arms to do the job. In order to get to the transmission end of the DSSR, you've to remove or fold the exhaust heat shield. If I'm paying someone to do it, I won't let them fold it because once you fold it, it'll always have a crease or slightly bent forever, which means, taking out the mid pipes first, remove heat shield. Then just to make life easier, lower the transmission and support it with a transmission jack.
For other brands SSK, which usually requires replacing the carrier, the same steps needs to be taken to remove the stock carrier.

I know, I know. I probably won't be resolving this issue as I don't want to keep throwing money into a part when I can get something else cooler. If I was to get the DSSR and install it this would be a $700-800 project. . .

Originally Posted by Dan@UnitedBMW

I didn't realize you were having issues with it. Have you contacted UUC?

I'll call them in the A.M and ask them what's going on. My BMW Perf. SSK has almost the same amount of play though.. I can shoot a video tomorrow.

Yeah, sad I know. I had the installer (who is a reputable performance company in the area and i believe holds an account with UUC) contact UUC.

What came across was interesting - I was not directly on the phone but everything that was said was relayed. First off, the issue of the side to side twist, that was fixed by tightening the sh!t out of that bottom cup like suggested. The installer found out that the bore size of the straight through screw is larger than the filler screw so that was causing play, however tightening up made it really hard to twist it, so I guess it fixed the problem. Might I also add that Rob @ UUC had an attitude from what I was relayed. His attitude was along the lines of, "Oh I designed this thing from scratch, it's my baby, there is no way that this thing can have problems, and I am offended/almost insulted that you would be having problems with the product." Making sure to make mention of the fact that he designed this thing, blah blah blah. Like mentioned before the slop was the stock selector rod end at the transmission, and the complaint that the need for a DSSR was not mentioned/packaged into one thing for this to be a solid unit. He said he will be shipping out larger pins/bushings, but the installer doesn't feel that this will fix the problem, although he will take a look.

Really? I would be interested to see this slop. Seems kind of ridiculous. The stock shifter is a POS, but shifting from 2-3 was much more precise than an SSK if that is believable, even though for the most part the shifter feels great and the shifts are much shorter and smoother.