BMW Blog

82', 258, Auto(TF999).
My question: Does anyone have any knowledge of there needing to be a shim for either the starter or flywheel/flexplate?

The problem I have deals with the starter grinding teeth off the flywheel/flexplate.
I have been through several starters and flexplates over the last few years.
I have the transmission out now because the torque converter went bad. So while I have it out I thought I'd fix the small issues I'm having.
I ordered a new starter and flywheel/flexplate. I asked about shims at the local shop and they asked a few experts. The consensus is that a shim would be putting more distance between the starter and the flywheel/flexplate. I don't think a shim would help my situation.
Does any one have any input on this subject.
Well, I never had to shim a 258 to a auto tranny. The general feedback you are getting is correct, the offset isn't going to fix the issue. Not sure why this is occuring, but it could be more internal, say the crank is warped or the flexplate isn't bolted on at a true 0 degree angle causing it to chew the flex plate and starter. You could try a level on it to see how true it is before you hook it up. It could be off just a hair, like 1/32 and it would do what you are describing over time.
I have seen loose starters pound the mounting face of the block enough to cause this failure. Grinding it flat and shimming is the easiest fix vs trying to build the cast up for a new flat grind. If the bolts have a slight wobble when they unscrew, this is suspect.
Just a thought here: Is it possible to mount the flexplate backwards?
Flex plate seems to be mounted properly.
Starter bolts are fine/ straight.
Gonna pick up the tranny now and re-look at everything once I get it back up in there.
Getting new starter and flexplate too. Hope this set up lasts longer than the last one.
Thanks for the help.
Found one reason why the flexplate was wearing the teeth down; cheap starter from Advanced Auto Parts.
I don't know the proper name of the part but it is the part that holds the bendix inside the housing.
It was loose. When the bendix was engaged, it wouldn't go out far enough to engage the teeth of the flexplate.
Hopefully this will solve the problem in the long run.