rumatt's E46 - Page 14

*clyde* · 04-07-2017, 04:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by John V

Yes.

Kinda reminds me of a certain RX-8 steering assembly.

John V · 04-15-2017, 04:29 PM

I have been dreading this day, but it's time.

Yep, those are the tools to remove a BMW transmission to get to the clutch and flywheel. I've done this a bunch of times on my race car, but that thing is missing some of the underbody heat shielding which makes the job a bit easier. Matt's car has all that stuff still. There are tons of pictures on the web documenting how to do this, but basically it's

1) Remove everything under the car
2) Lower the tail of the transmission
3) Remove a bunch of really tight bolts in really inconvenient locations
4) Remove trans.

Victory is mine!

The worst part of this was the dowel that aligns the starter was completely seized, as is typical on high mileage BMWs. The air chisel solved that problem.

The clutch kit (hopefully) comes with a new throw-out bearing. This one is pretty gritty.

Clutch disc isn't too worn out, actually. I bet this would have gone another 80k before hitting the rivets.

rumatt · 04-15-2017, 04:44 PM

Awesome.

How exactly do you get that thing out of there? Is the car up on those boxes? Do you hold it up with a jack or cart while you're loosening it?

I can't believe it had that much life left! It was catching so high.

John V · 04-15-2017, 05:55 PM

I held it up with the jack.

The 5-speeds are definitely lighter. This thing was heavy.

Hey - am I doing trans fluid "while I'm in there?"

rumatt · 04-15-2017, 06:15 PM

Makes sense right? Go for it.

Nick M3 · 04-15-2017, 07:19 PM

Especially since it's probably low.

John V · 04-16-2017, 07:35 AM

Nick, what's the transmission cocktail du jour for street cars that won't screw up the shifting?

Nick M3 · 04-16-2017, 12:51 PM

I *really* like Motorcraft XT-M5-QS. It's a Getrag developed fluid that was designed to cure shift problems in some of the balkier transmissions. It's the right weight range and fluid type, it works well when cold and hot, and I haven't found anything that touches it for shift quality. (With the exception of Motul Gear 300 - but only when hot, because it basically doesn't work cold.)

Nick M3 · 04-16-2017, 12:52 PM

All that said, the ZF6 doesn't have any shift quirks that I'm aware of. Stock is a totally viable option too.

John V · 04-16-2017, 09:33 PM

I have that stuff in the Mazda. It's pretty excellent.

04-15-2017, 07:19 PM	#136
Nick M3 Relic Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Bethesda, MD Posts: 12,458	Especially since it's probably low. __________________ 2011 M3 2006 Sierra 2500HD 4WD LBZ/Allison 2004 X5 3.0i 6MT 1995 M3 S50B32 1990 325is 1989 M3 S54B32 Hers: 1989 325iX 1996 911 Turbo

04-16-2017, 12:51 PM	#138
Nick M3 Relic Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Bethesda, MD Posts: 12,458	I really like Motorcraft XT-M5-QS. It's a Getrag developed fluid that was designed to cure shift problems in some of the balkier transmissions. It's the right weight range and fluid type, it works well when cold and hot, and I haven't found anything that touches it for shift quality. (With the exception of Motul Gear 300 - but only when hot, because it basically doesn't work cold.) __________________ 2011 M3 2006 Sierra 2500HD 4WD LBZ/Allison 2004 X5 3.0i 6MT 1995 M3 S50B32 1990 325is 1989 M3 S54B32 Hers: 1989 325iX 1996 911 Turbo

04-16-2017, 12:52 PM	#139
Nick M3 Relic Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Bethesda, MD Posts: 12,458	All that said, the ZF6 doesn't have any shift quirks that I'm aware of. Stock is a totally viable option too. __________________ 2011 M3 2006 Sierra 2500HD 4WD LBZ/Allison 2004 X5 3.0i 6MT 1995 M3 S50B32 1990 325is 1989 M3 S54B32 Hers: 1989 325iX 1996 911 Turbo

04-15-2017, 04:29 PM	#132
John V No more BMWs Join Date: Apr 2005 Carmudgeonly Ride: Ram, MS3, CX-5, RX-8 Location: Glenwood, MD Posts: 14,753	I have been dreading this day, but it's time. Yep, those are the tools to remove a BMW transmission to get to the clutch and flywheel. I've done this a bunch of times on my race car, but that thing is missing some of the underbody heat shielding which makes the job a bit easier. Matt's car has all that stuff still. There are tons of pictures on the web documenting how to do this, but basically it's 1) Remove everything under the car 2) Lower the tail of the transmission 3) Remove a bunch of really tight bolts in really inconvenient locations 4) Remove trans. Victory is mine! The worst part of this was the dowel that aligns the starter was completely seized, as is typical on high mileage BMWs. The air chisel solved that problem. The clutch kit (hopefully) comes with a new throw-out bearing. This one is pretty gritty. Clutch disc isn't too worn out, actually. I bet this would have gone another 80k before hitting the rivets.

04-15-2017, 04:44 PM	#133
rumatt Mugwump Join Date: Oct 2003 Carmudgeonly Ride: E46 330i, Chevy Colorado, Tesla Model 3 Location: NY Posts: 17,475	Awesome. How exactly do you get that thing out of there? Is the car up on those boxes? Do you hold it up with a jack or cart while you're loosening it? I can't believe it had that much life left! It was catching so high.

04-15-2017, 05:55 PM	#134
John V No more BMWs Join Date: Apr 2005 Carmudgeonly Ride: Ram, MS3, CX-5, RX-8 Location: Glenwood, MD Posts: 14,753	I held it up with the jack. The 5-speeds are definitely lighter. This thing was heavy. Hey - am I doing trans fluid "while I'm in there?"

04-15-2017, 06:15 PM	#135
rumatt Mugwump Join Date: Oct 2003 Carmudgeonly Ride: E46 330i, Chevy Colorado, Tesla Model 3 Location: NY Posts: 17,475	Makes sense right? Go for it.

04-16-2017, 07:35 AM	#137
John V No more BMWs Join Date: Apr 2005 Carmudgeonly Ride: Ram, MS3, CX-5, RX-8 Location: Glenwood, MD Posts: 14,753	Nick, what's the transmission cocktail du jour for street cars that won't screw up the shifting?

04-16-2017, 09:33 PM	#140
John V No more BMWs Join Date: Apr 2005 Carmudgeonly Ride: Ram, MS3, CX-5, RX-8 Location: Glenwood, MD Posts: 14,753	I have that stuff in the Mazda. It's pretty excellent.