1992 BMW 318i Installation

AUTOMATIC
TRANSMISSION



240-1

240
Automatic
Transmission

GENERAL
.....
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.........
.
240-1



TRANSMISSION
REMOVAL
AND

INSTALLATION
..................
.
.
.
.
.240-4
TRANSMISSION
SERVICE
.
.
.
.
.
.......
.
240-1



Transmission,
removing
and
installing
....
.
.
.240-4

ATF
leve¡,
checking
..
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
..........
240-1

ATF,
draining
and
filling
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
..........
240-2



TABLE

a
.
Automatic
Transmission
Gear
Ratios
.......
..
.
.
240-1

GENERAL



TRANSMISSION
SERVICE



lo

Automatic
transmissions
are
identified
by
code
letters



ATF
leve¡,
checking

foundon
a
data
plate
located
on
the
sideof
thetransmission

case,
behind
the
manual
valve
lever
.
See
200Transmis-



The
automatic
transmissions
installed
in
the
E36
models
sion-General
for
application
information
.
Forgear
ratio
spec-



are
normally
filled
with
Dexron
III
automatic
transmission
fluid

ifications,
see
Table
a
.



(ATF),
although
alternative
fluids
have
been
installed
from
the

factory,
depending
on
transmission
type
and
model
year
.

CAUTION-



Some
transmíssions
are
filled
with
a
special
BMW
"lifetime"

ATF
does
not
circulate
unless
the
engine
is
run-



automatic
transmission
fluid,
which
does
not
require
periodic

ning
.
When
towing
an
automafic
transmission
ve-



fluid
changes
.

hicle,
usea
flat-bed
truck
or
ralse
the
rear
wheels
off
the
ground
.



CAUTION-

Mixing
different
types
of
transmission
fluids
will

The
electronic
transmission
control
module
(TCM)
monitors



lead
to
transmission
failure
.

transmissionoperation
for
faults
and
alerts
the
driver
by
illumi-

nating
the
transmission
fault
indicator
on
the
instrument
pan-

el
.
On-board
diagnostic
codes
stored
in
the
TCM
mustbe



NOTE-

downloaded
and
interpreted
by
trained
technicians
using
spe-



The
transmission
lubricant
instafed
can
be
foundona

cial
BMW
diagnostic
equipment
.



type
plate
on
the
side
of
the
transmission
.
In
addition,
a
sticker
may
be
located
on
the
fluid
sump
indicatingthe
typeof
transmission
lubricant
used
.
Ifin
doubt,
con

NOTE-



sult
an
authorized
BMW
dealer
for
altemate
fluid
use

Internal
repairs
to
the
automatic
transmission
require



and
current
information
regardingtransmission
operat-
special
service
equipment
and
knowledge
.
If
it
is
deter-



ing
fluids
.

mined
thatinterna¡
service
is
required,
consult
en
au-

thorízedBMWdealerabouta
factoryreconditioned
unit



The
transmission
is
not
equipped
with
a
dipstick
.
Checking
or
a
transmission
rebuild
.



the
ATF
leve¡
requires
measuring
and
maintaining
a
specified

ATF
temperature
during
the
checking
procedure
.
The
check-

ing
temperature
is
not
fully
warm
orcold
(the
ATF
sump

should
be
approximately
warm
to
the
touch)
.

Table
a
.
Automatic
Transmission
Gear
Ratios

Transmission



MS
310R
(THM-R1)



MS
310R
(THM-Rl)



MS
310Z(5HP
18)



I



MS
270R
(THM-R1)
(1992-1993)(1993-on)

Gear
ratios
:
1st



2
.40



2
.86



3
.67



2
.86

2nd



1
.47



1
.62



2
.00



1
.62
3rd



1
.00



1
.00



1.41



1
.00
4th



0
.72



0
.72



1
.00



0
.72
5th



-



-



0
.74



-
Reverse



2
.00



2
.00



4
.10



2
.00

TRANSMISSIONSERVICE

240-2



AUTOMATIC
TRANSMISSION

WARNING
-

If
the
appropriate
temperature
measuring
equip-
ment
is
not
available,
ATF
leve¡
checking
shouldbe
left
to
an
authorized
BMW
dealer
The
checking
pro-
cedure
should
be
done
on
a
lift
with
the
engine
run-
ning
in
neutral
.
In
addition,
the
transmission
fluid
temperature
must
be
maintained
within
a
narrow
range
duringthe
checking
procedure
.

1
.
Place
vehicle
on
a
lift
.

WARNING
-

To
lift
the
vehicle
safely,
see
010
Fundamentals
for
the
Do-it-Yourself
Owner
.

2
.
Warm
up
drivetrain
by
running
engine
until
ATF
reach-

es
specified
temperature
.
Apply
brake
and,
while
idling
engine,
shift
through
all
gears
severa¡
times
.
Turn
en-
gine
off
.

ATF
Level
Checking

"
Fluid
temperature
..
...........
30-55°C
(86-131°F)

3
.
Remove
ATF
fill
plug
.
Place
transmission
in
neutral
and



ATF,draining
and
filling
restart
engine
.
See
Fig
.
1
or
Fig
.
2
.

Fig
.
1
.



ATF
fill
plug
(A)
on
MS
270R/A4S310R
transmissions
.

4
.
With
ATF
at
specified
temperature,
add
(luid
until
it
spilis
from
fill
hole
.

WARNING
-

HotATFcan
scald
.
Weareye
protection
and
protec-
tive
clothing
and
gloves
duringthe
check
.
If
thetransmission
was
overfilled,
hot
ATF
will
spill
from
the
filler
hole
when
the
fill
plug
is
removed
.

5
.
Reinstall
fill
plug
using
new
sealing
ring
.

TRANSMISSION
SERVICE

011743

0011742

Fig
.
2
.



ATF
drain
plug
(A)
and
fill
plug
(B)
on
A5S
310Z
transmission
.

Tightening
Torques

"
ATF
fill
plug
to
ATF
sump

MS
270R/A4S
31
OR
.............
33
Nm
(24
ft-Ib)
MS
310Z
(M30
plug)
............
100
Nm
(74
ft-Ib)

The
procedure
given
here
includes
removal
and
installation

of
the
ATF
(luid
strainer
(filter)
.

1
.
Remove
drain
plug
and
drain
fluidinto
container
.
See
Fig
.
3
or
Fig
.
2
given
earlier
.

0~
0

/\1--Z
.IZ
~
~

A



~
"o



15/

Fig
.
3
.



ATF
drain
plug
(A)
on
A4S
270R/A4S
310R
.

WARNING
-

The
ATF
must
not
be
hot
when
draining
.
Do
not
drain
the
ATF
if
the
engineandlor
transmission
Is
hot
.
Hot
ATF
can
scald
.
Wear
eye
protection,
pro-
tective
clothing
and
gloves
.

0011595

2
.
On
MS
270R/A4S
310R
transmissions
:
Remove
front



5
.
Installation
is
reverse
of
Rmoval
.
and
rear
oil
sump
mounting
bolts
andremove
sumps



"
Always
replace
sea¡
for
drain
plug
and
al¡
gasket(s)
andand
sump
gaskets
.



O-rings
.

"
Clean
sump
and
sump
magnet(s)
using
a
lint-free

NOTE-



cloth
.

The
MS
270
R/A4S
310
R
transmissions
may
be
fitted



"
On
MS
270R/A4S310R
transmissions
:
Use
new
bolts

with
ASE
(inch)
bolts
.



at
sump
and
tighten
bolts
in-line,
one
after
other
(do
nottighten
bolts
in
a
cross-wise
pattern)
.

3
.
On
A5S
310Z
transmission
:
Remove
oil
sump
mount-



"
On
MS
310Z
transmission,
be
sureto
instan
rounded

ing
bolts
and
brackets,
noting
position
of
brackets
.
Re-



sump
clamping
brackets
at
corners
of
sump
.

move



"
Fill
transmission
with
approved
fluid
.
sump
and
sump
gasket
.



"
Check
fluid
level
as
described
under
ATF
leve¡,

4
.
Remove
ATF
otra¡ner
mount¡ng
screws
and
remove



checking
.

strainer
together
with
gasket
orO-ring
.
See
Fig
.
4
or

Fig
.
5
.

Fig
.
4
.



A4S
270R/A4S310R
fluid
strainer
mounting
boits
(arrows)
.

Fig
.
5
.



A5S
310Z
fluid
strainer
mounting
boits
(arrows)
.

0013230

AUTOMATIC
TRANSMISSION



240-
3

NOTE-

Use
newsump
bolts
purchased
from
BMW
.
Alternative-
ly,
clean
old
bolts
and
coat
with
Loctite®
thread
locking
compound
or
equivalent

Automatic
Transmission
Fluid
Capacity
(refill
only)

"
MS
270R/A4S310R
Removal
of
large
sump
only
........
3
.0liters
(3.2
qt)
Removal
ofboth
sumps
...........
5
.0liters(5
.3
qt)

"
MS
310Z
..
..
..................
3
.3liters
(3.5
qt)

Tightening
Torques

"
ATF
drain
plug
to
ATF
sump

MS
270R/A4S
310R
..........
..
25
Nm
(18
ft-Ib)

MS
310Z(M10
plug)
..........
..
16
Nm
(12
ft-Ib)

"
ATF
fill
plug
to
ATF
sump

MS
270R/A4S
310R
..........
..
33
Nm
(24
ft-Ib)

MS
310Z(M30
plug)
.....
..
..
:.
100
Nm
(74
ft-Ib)

"
ATF
strainer
to
valve
body

MS
270R/A4S
310R
.....
..
.
...
.
20
Nm
(15
ft-Ib)

MS
310Z
..............
..
.
...
..
6
Nm
(53
in-lb)

"
ATF
sump
to
transmission

MS
270R/A4S
310R
(M6)
.
..
.
..
...
12
Nm
(9
ft-¡b)

MS
310Z
(M6)
..........
..
.
..
...
6
Nm
(53
in-¡b)

TRANSMISSION
SERVICE

240-
4



AUTOMATIC
TRANSMISSION

TRANSMISSION
REMOVALAND

INSTALLATION

Removal
and
installation
of
thetransmission
is
best
accom-

plished
on
a
lift
using
a
transmission
jack
.
Use
caution
and

safe
workshop
practices
when
working
beneath
car
and
low-

ering
transmission
.

WARNING
-

To
lift
the
vehicle
safely,
see010
Fundamentals
for
the
Do-it-Yourself
Owner
.

CAUTION-

"
Be
sure
the
vehicle
is
properly
supported
.
The
removal
of
the
transmission
may
upset
the
bal-
ance
of
the
vehicle
on
a
lift
.

"
Tilting
the
engine
to
remove
the
transmission
can
lead
to
damage
to
various
components
due
to

lack
of
clearance
.
-On
carswith
AST
remove
throttle
body
.
-Remove
brake
fluid
reservoir
if
necessary
.

Torx-head
bolts
are
used
to
mount
thetransmission
to
the

bellhousing
.
Be
sure
to
have
appropriate
tools
on
hand
before

starting
thejob
.

2
.
Install
engine
support
across
engine
bay
.
Raise
and

safely
support
vehicle
.
See
Fig
.
6
.

WARNING
-
"
When
raising
thecar
using
a
floor
jack
or
a
hy-
draulic
lift,
carefully
position
the
jack
pad
to
pre-
vent
damaging
the
car
body
.
A
suitable
liner
(wood,
rubber,
etc
.)
should
be
placed
between
the
jack
and
the
car
to
prevent
body
damage
.

"
Watch
the
jack
closely
.
Make
sure
it
stays
stable
and
does
not
shift
or
tilt
.
As
the
car
is
raised,
the
car
may
roll
slightty
and
the
jack
may
shift
.

CAUTION-

Removal
of
transmission
will
cause
engine
to
tip
unlessengine
support
is
used
.

TRANSMISSION
REMOVAL
AND
INSTALLATION

Fig
.
6
.
Engine
support
equipment
used
to
support
engine
from
above

before
removing
transmission
.

3
.
Raise
vehicle
to
gain
access
to
underside
of
car
.

4
.
Drain
ATF
from
transmission
as
described
earlier
.

5
.
Disconnect
oxygen
sensor
harness
.
Remove
exhaust

system,
and
exhaust
heat
shield
.
See
180
Exhaust

System
.

Transmission,
removing
and
installing



6
.
Remove
driveshaft
.
See
260
Driveshaft
.

1
.
Disconnect
negative
(-)
cable
from
battery
.



7
.
With
selector
lever
in
Park,
disconnect
shift
selector
le-

ver
cable
from
lever
and
remove
cable
bracket
.
Hold

CA
UTION-



linkage
clamping
bolt
stationary
when
loosening

Prior
to
disconnectiog
the
battery,
read
the
battery



clamping
nut
.
See
Fig
.
7
.

disconnection
cautions
given
at
the
front
of
this
manual
on
page
vi¡¡
.

Fig
.
7
.



Selector
lever
cable
clamping
nut
(A)
.
Loosen
cable
clamping
nut
(B)
and
remove
cable
from
bracket
.
Always
counterholdclamping
bolt
when
loosening
nut
.

8
.
Disconnect
main
harness
connector
from
transmission

by
turning
its
bayonet
lock
ring
counterclockwise
.
Re-

move
wiring
harness
from
transmission
housing
.
See
Fig
.
8
.

Fig
.
8
.



Harness
connector
at
automatic
transmission
.

9
.
Where
applicable,
disconnect
harness
connector
from

speed
sensor
at
top
óf
transmission
.

10
.
Disconnect
transmission
cooler
line
clamps
from
en-

gine
.
Disconnect
lines
from
transmission
.

11
.
Support
transmission
with
transmission
jack
.
Remove

reinforcing
cross
brace
(if
applicable)
and
transmission

support
crossmember
.

NOTE-

Note
installation
positionof
support
crossmember
.

12
.
Remove
access
plug
in
cover
plate
on
right
side
of
en-

gine
block
and
remove
torqueconverter
bolts
.
Turn

crankshaft
to
access
boits
.
See
Fig
.
9
.

AUTOMATIC
TRANSMISSION



240-
5

Bellhousing
access
hole

Socket
wrench

Fig
.
9
.



Access
andremove
torque
converter
boits
through
hole
in
bellhousing
cover
.

0

A

fij
13
.
Remove
bellhousing-to-engine
mounting
bolts
.
See



Fig
.
10
.
Transmission-to-engine
Torx-head
mounting
bolts
.
Fig
.
10
.

0012592

TRANSMISSION
REMOVAL
AND
INSTALLATION

240-
6



AUTOMATIC
TRANSMISSION

14
.
Remove
transmission
by
pulling
back
and
down
.
Lower

jack
to
allow
transmission
to
clear
vehicle
.



Tightening
Torques

"
ATF
drain
plug
to
ATF
sump

CA
UTION-



MS
270R/A4S
310R
....
..
....
.
..
25
Nm
(18
ft-Ib)

Do
not
allow
the
torque
converter
to
fati
off
the



ASS
310Z(M10
plug)
..
..
..
.
.
..
.
..
16
Nm
(12
ft-Ib)

transmission
inputshaft
.



"
ATF
fill
plug
to
ATF
sump

MS
270R/A4S
310R
..
..
....
..
..
.
33
Nm
(24
ft-Ib)

15
.
Installation
is
reverse
of
removal,
noting
the
following
:



MS
310Z(M30
plug)
......
.
.
..
.
.
100
Nm
(74
ft-Ib)

"Blowoutofcoolerlineswithlow-pressurecompressed



"
ATF
cooler
lines
(A4S
270R/A4S
310R)

air
and
flush
coolerwith
clean
ATF
twice
before
reat-



Coupling
nuts
............
.
.
..
..
.
20
Nm
(15
ft-Ib)

taching
lines
to
transmission
.



Hollow
bolts
.........
.
.....
..
..
.
37
Nm
(28
ft-Ib)

"
Reinforcing
cross
brace

CAUTION-



to
chassis
(M10)
.............
.
..
.
42
Nm
(31
ft-Ib)

"
Wear
safety
glasses
when
working
with
com-



"
Torque
converter

pressedair
.



to
driveplate
(M10)
.........
..
.
..
45
Nm
(33
ft-Ib)

"
Transmissionsupport
crossmember
to
chassis

"
Do
not
reuse
ATF
after
flushing
.



M8
......................
22-24
Nm
(16-17
ft-1b)

M10
................
.
....
..
.
..
42
Nm
(31
ft-Ib)

"
Install
new
sealing
washers
on
hollow
bolts
.



"
Transmissíon
to
engine
(Torx-head
with
washer)

"
Insta¡¡
new
O-rings
on
transmission
cooler
lines,
where



M8
......................
..
.
..
21
Nm
(15
ft-Ib)

applicable
.



M10
.....................
..
..
.
42
Nm
(31
ft-Ib)

"
Inspect
driveplate
for
cracks
or
elongatedholes
.
Re-



M12
................
.
....
..
.
..
72
Nm
(53ft-Ib)

place
if
necessary
.

"
Check
to
be
sure
torque
converter
is
seated
correctly

in
transmission
during
final
installation
.

"
When
mounting
transmission
to
engine,
the
three

mounting
tabs
on
torque
converter
must
be
aligned

with
indentations
on
driveplate
.
Use
an
alignment

dowel
to
line
up
bolt
holes,
if
necessary
.
"
Fill
transmission
with
clean
ATF
until
oil
leve¡
is
even
with
fill
hole
.
Then
check
fluid
leve¡
as
described
ear-
lier
.

"
Adjust
gearshift
mechanism
.
See
250
Gearshift
link-

age
.

NOTE-

Torx-head
mounting
bolts
shouldalwaysbe
used
with
washers
to
prevent
difficult
removal
.

TRANSMISSION
REMOVAL
AND
INSTALLATION

250-
4



GEARSHIFT
LINKAGE

r%
;
5

(((((C
"
~
;

Fig
.
7
.



Selector
lever
cable
clamping
nut
(A)
.
Counterhold
clamping
bolt
when
loosening
nut
.

Gear
position/neutral
safety
switch,

replacing
(automatic
transmission)

NOTE-

The
gear-positionlneutral
safetyswitch
is
also
some-
times
referred
to
as
the
automatic
transmission
range
switch
.

Failure
of
the
gear
positionlneutral
safetyswitch
can
cause

a
no-start
condition
.
In
acidition,
since
it
signals
gearshift
posi-

tion
tothe
transmission
control
unit,
a
faulty
switch
can
cause

erratic
transmission
operation
.

1
.
Remove
hex-head
screw
(3mm
allen
key)
from
shift
le-

ver
handle
and
remove
handle
.
Carefully
pry
up
cover

from
gearshift
lever
console
.

2
.
Disconnect
harness
connector
from
gear
positionlneu-

tral
safety
switch
andremove
mounting
screws
.
See

Fig
.
8
.

3
.
Remove
gear
positionlneutral
safety
switch
by
moving

selector
until
pin
on
lever
aligns
with
slot
on
switch
.
Pull

switch
straight
up
and
off
.
See
Fig
.
9
.

4
.
Installation
is
reverse
of
removal,
noting
the
following
:

"
Before
installing
switch,
align
plastic
contact
slide
in-

sideswitch
with
slot
in
switch
.
See
Fig
.
10
.

"
Instan
switch
so
that
contact
slide
on
switch
aligns
with

slot
on
switch
.
Then
position
gearshift
lever
pin
to
slot

on
switch
and
install
switch
.

"
When
installing
shift
lever
handle,
engage
pín
on
re
leasebutton
to
hole
in
pulí
rod
.
See
Fig
.
11
.



Fig
.
9
.



Contact
slide
in
switch
aligns
toslot
on
switch
and
pin
on
le-
ver
.

Tightening
Torques

"
Console
to
body
..............
...
.
7
Nm
(62
in-lb)

"
Gear
positionlneutral
safety
switch

to
shift
console
.................
.
4
.5
Nm
(40
in-lb)

AUTOMATIC
TRANSMISSION
GEARSHIFT

Fig
.
8
.



Disconnect
harness
connector
to
gear
position/neutral
safety

switch
by
pressing
connector
retaining
clips
together
(ar-
rows)
.
Switch
mountingscrews
shown
at
1
.

Fig
.
6
.



Preload
center
bearing
toward
front
4-6
mm
(arrow)
.

5331
5
.
Tightenthreadedsleeveondriveshafttopropertorque
.

6
.
Insta¡¡
heat
shield
and
heat
shield
crossmember
.

Tightening
Torques

"
Driveshaftcenter
mount
to
body
.
.
..
21
Nm
(16
ft-Ib)

"
Driveshaft
clamping
sleeve
.....
.
.
.
10
Nm
(89
in-lb)

"
Driveshaft
to
final
drive
flange

With
CV
joint
(M8)
............
...
32
Nm
(23
ft-Ib)

Wth
U-joint
(M10
ribbed
nut)
....
...
80
Nm
(59
ft-Ib)

With
U-joint
(M10
compressed
nut)
..
60
Nm
(44
ft-Ib)

"
Flex-disc
to
driveshaft
or
transmissionflange

M10
(8.8
grade)
.........
.
....
..
.
48
Nm
(35
ft-Ib)

M10
(10
.9
grade)
........
.
....
...
64
Nm
(47
ft-Ib)

M12
(8.8
grade)
........
.....
..
.
.
81
Nm
(60
ft-Ib)

M12
(10
.9
grade)
.
.
....
......
...
100
Nm
(74
ft-Ib)

M12
(10
.9
grade)
(M3
models)
..
.
.
.
115
Nm
(85
ft-Ib)

"
Transmission
crossmember

to
body
(M8)
.
....
...........
....
21
Nm
(16
ft-Ib)

NOTE-

Bolt
grade
is
markedon
the
bolt
head
.
When
replacing
bolts,
only
use
bolts
of
the
same
strength
and
hardnessas
the
originalsinstalled
.

Flex-disc,
replacing

The
flex-disc
between
the
front
section
of
the
driveshaft
and

theoutputflange
of
the
transmission
should
be
checked
for

cracks,
tears,
missing
pieces,
or
distortion
.
Check
for
worn
bolt
hole
bores
in
theflange
.

1
.
Remove
driveshaft
as
described
in
Driveshaft,
remov-
ing
.

NOTE-

¡t
is
possible
to
only
partially
remove
the
driveshaft,
leaving
it
connected
to
the
final
drive
.
The
driveshaft
canbe
tilted
down
in
thecenter
and
slidoff
the
trans-
mission
flange
once
the
clamping
sleeve
is
loosened
and
the
center
bearing
bracket
is
unbolted
.
Suspend
the
driveshaft
using
stiff
wire
in
as
close
to
the
installed
position
as
possible
.
If
the
driveshaft
hangs
unsupport-
ed,
the
rear
universal
joint
may
be
damaged
.

2
.
Unbolt
flex-dísc
from
driveshaft
.

DRIVESHAFT
260-
5

7
.
Install
exhaust
system
.
See
180
Exhaust
System
.

Connect
wiring
harness
to
oxygen
sensors
.



NOTE-

Removaland
installation
of
the
boltsmaybe
made
eas-
8
.
Road
test
vehicle
to
check
for
noiseor
vibration
.



ier
by
placing
a
large
hose
clamp
around
the
flex-disc,
and
tightening
the
clamp
slightlyto
compress
the
cou

WARNING
-



pling
.

"
Do
not
reuse
self-locking
nuts
.
These
nuts
aredesigned
to
beused
only
once
.



3
.
Insta¡¡
new
flex-disc
using
new
self-locking
nuts
.
Mold-

"
Avóid
stressing
the
flex-disc
when
torquing
the



ed
arrows
on
coupling
should
face
flange
arms
.
See

bolts
Do
this



holding
the
bolts



Fig
.
7
.
steady
and
.



uy
turning
the
nuts
on
theflange
side
.

5
:132

Fig
.
7
.



When
attaching
flex-disc,
molded
arrows
must
point
toward

flange
arms
.

DRIVESHAFT
SERVICE