Hello All,

Recently, and with the advice of my learned counsel here at the Brickboard I successfully replaced the front O2 sensor on my 1996 850, non-turbo with a 5 speed. I noticed the forked bracket that the two O2 sensors attach to (the wire couplings for each O2 sensor slide onto this bracket)was missing. This bracket is attached to the housing of the transmission.

I had purchased this car used with just over 50,000 on it. I was told by the prior owner, that just before the factory warranty expired, the manual transmission was replaced under warranty. I suspected the technician when he installed the new transmission failed to re-attach this bracket.

I then checked my other 1996 850 GLT, non-turbo (also a manual) to see if it had this O2 bracket. It was missing too. I've had this car since new. Yes, I've had the O2 sensors changed a few times, yet why would this bracket be removed? Yet, I have two 1996 850s with no brackets to secured the O2 couplings to. It seems to be to much of a coincidence.

Is this an isolated incident? I installed the missing bracket on the first 850. Looking at pictures from Bay 13 (replacement of an O2 sensor) I think I installed the bracket in the right place. There are two identical and abreast tabs on the transmission housing that have a hole for the flange screw that secures the bracket. I was forced to choose the one fartherest away from the engine (otherwise the O2 sensor would not attach to the bracket because a secondary water hose that got in the way).

I'd like to know if anyone else is missing this bracket and if I installed in the correct location.

Thanks to all who reply.

Hugh