Removal & Installation

WARNING: This page does not describe the selected car, but rather 15 other vehicles, including the 2005 BMW 330xi, 2005 BMW 330i, 2005 BMW 330Ci, 2004 BMW 330xi, and 2004 BMW 330i. However, it is still accessible from the selected car via links, so may be relevant.

CAUTION: After completion of work, check gear oil level. Use only the approved gear oil. Failure to comply with this requirement will result in serious damage to the manual transmission. See SERVICING - M/T article.

Disconnect battery. See 12 00... INSTRUCTIONS FOR DISCONNECTING AND CONNECTING BATTERY .

Remove heater bulkhead. Remove engine splash guard.

CAUTION: Vehicles must not be driven without reinforcement plates. Driving without the reinforcement plate may damage the front axle. Screws of reinforcement plate must be tightened to torque and then tightened down with Special Tool (00 9 120) (angle-of-rotation measuring disk).

CAUTION: From 02/2001, use new 66 mm diameter control arm bearings and a new reinforcement plate. For these larger control arm bearings, there must be an impression (1) on the left/right in the reinforcement plate (2) (risk of damage). See Fig 1. The difference can only be discerned by the removed reinforcement plate. Only cars up to 02/2001 with 66 mm diameter control arm bearing and old reinforcement plate (2) without impression (1), insert a washer in each case at rear screw-down points between reinforcement plate and body.

NOTE: Reinforcement plate is fitted in Coupes from 11/99, all convertibles and all E46 models without 4WD from 12/2000.

NOTE: When removing and installing the transmission, support the front end of the engine at the housing with an installation aid (e.g. transmission lifter).

If necessary, remove front underbody protection. If necessary, remove front underbody protection. Unfasten screws (3). See Fig 2. Release screws (1) and (2) and remove reinforcement plate. Upon installation: replace screws (1) and (2). Install all screws. If necessary, insert washers at screw-down points (1) between reinforcement plate and body. See Fig 1. Tighten screws (1) and (2) to torque and then to angle of rotation. See TORQUE SPECIFICATIONS . Tighten down screws (3).

Fig 1: Identifying New Reinforcement Plate

G00155813

Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.

Fig 2: Removing Reinforcement Plate

G00155807

Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.

Remove exhaust system. See 18 00 020 REMOVING AND INSTALLING COMPLETE EXHAUST SYSTEM (M54) .

Remove heat shield (1). See Fig 3.

Fig 3: Removing First Heat Shield

G00367851

Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.

Remove heat shield (1). See Fig 4.

Fig 4: Removing Second Heat Shield

G00374661

Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.

Remove screws (1) and (2). See Fig 5. Upon installation, tighten fasteners to specification. See TORQUE SPECIFICATIONS .

Fig 5: Removing Screws

G00382287

Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.

Detach plug (1) from reversing light switch. See Fig 6. Release cable from retainers.

Fig 6: Detaching Cable Plug From Reverse Gear Switch

G00374670

Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.

Release screws and remove exhaust bracket. See Fig 7. Upon installation, tighten fasteners to specification. See TORQUE SPECIFICATIONS .

Fig 7: Removing Exhaust Bracket

G00382250

Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.

Supporting transmission: support with Special Tools (23 0 134, 23 0 131, 23 0 132) and (00 2 030). See Fig 8.

Fig 8: Supporting Transmission

G00382251

Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.

Release screws (1) and nuts (2) and remove cross-member. See Fig 9. Upon installation, tighten fasteners to specification. See TORQUE SPECIFICATIONS .

Fig 9: Removing Transmission Cross-Member

G00382252

Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.

Remove propeller shaft from transmission. Release center bearing. Tie propeller shaft to one side. See 26 11 000 REMOVING AND INSTALLING PROPELLER SHAFT (CARDAN UNIVERSAL JOINT) COMPLETELY .

Lever out retainer (1). See Fig 10. Disengage shift rod (2). Upon installation, grease shift rod. Make sure shims (3) are in correct position.

Fig 10: Disconnecting Shift Rod

G00382244

Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.

Release and remove bearing pins (1) in direction of arrow. See Fig 11.

Fig 11: Removing Bearing Pin

G00382243

Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.

Lift out shift arm (1). See Fig 12. Upon installation, grease bearing pins (1).

Fig 12: Lifting Out Shim Arm

G00382254

Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.

CAUTION: Slowly relieve tension on clutch slave cylinder otherwise air is drawn in through sealing sleeve.

Release nuts and remove clutch slave cylinder. Pressure line of clutch slave cylinder remains connected. See Fig 13. Upon installation, tighten fasteners to specification. See TORQUE SPECIFICATIONS .

Fig 13: Removing Clutch Slave Cylinder

G00374665

Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.

Release dust shield bolt (1). See Fig 14.

Fig 14: Locating Dust Shield Bolt

G00382246

Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.

CAUTION: Do not allow the transmission to hang off from the transmission input shaft as this will deform the clutch plate.

Unfasten screws. See Fig 15. Pull out transmission towards rear and remove. Upon installation, tighten fasteners to specification. See TORQUE SPECIFICATIONS .

Fig 15: Locating Transmission Mounting Screws

G00374671

Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.

Installation: check that dowel sleeves are correctly seated. See Fig 16. Replace damaged dowel sleeves. Ensure correct position of cover plate.

Fig 16: Checking Dowel Sleeves

G00374647

Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.

Installation: check lubrication of transmission input shaft for sticky consistency. See Fig 17. If grease is sticky, clean input shaft and replace clutch plate. Check clutch plate for friction rust in splines and replace if necessary. Mechanically remove existing grease and lining abrasion from splines of clutch plate (with a cloth).

Fig 17: Checking Lubrication Of Transmission Input Shaft

G00374648

Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.

Installation: greasing specification:

Remove and clean release bearing and release lever. See Fig 18.
Push on Grease Scraper Ring (21 2 221) as far as it will go.
Grease teeth (1) of input shaft.
Detach grease scraper ring.

Fig 18: Locating Grease Scraper Ring

G00382248

Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.