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230-12
/ Manual Transmission
Output shaft seal, replacing (6-speed
transmission) (transmission installed)
- Raise and safely support vehicle.
WARNING-
Make sure the car is stable and well supported at all times.
Use a professional automotive lift
orjack stands designed for
the purpose.
A floorjack is not adequate support.
- Remove exhaust system and heat shields. See 180 Exhaust
System.
- Support transmission with transmission jack
- Disconnect driveshaft at transmission output flange, and
hang driveshaft to side. See
260 Driveshaft.
Remove transmission crassmember:
If applicable, release electrical harnesses from transmis-
sion crossmember.
Remove transmission and crossmember mounting bolts
(arrows).
5022305201 - Tilt down rear of transmission
CAUTION-
Tlting the engine to lower the transmission can lead to dam-
age to various components due to lack of clearance.
Use screwdriver to pry out output flange collar nut retaining
plate.
Remove collar nut with BMW special tool
23 2 320 or equiv-
alent thin-walled deep socltet
(36 mm). Use BMW special
tool
23 0 020 or equivalent to counterhold output flange.

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Manual Transmission
Input shaft seal, replacing
(transmission removed)
- Remove transmission from vehicle as described later in this
group.
- Remove clutch release bearing end release bearing lever
from inside bellhousing.
4 Remove bolts (arrows) for clutch release-bearing guide
sleeve, noting bolt lengths
(Getrag trensmission shown).
Remove sleeve and any spacers (shims) under it.
Two covered removal holes (arrows) are present in seal.
Thread BMW special tool
23 0 490 or equivalent slide ham-
mer seal puller into one hole and remove seal.
- Getreg S5D 250G transmission:
Place BMW special tool
23 2 460 or similar protective
sleeve over input shaft.
Coat sealing lip of new
seel with trensmission oil and push
over protective sleeve up to transmission housing.
Remove protective sleeve from input shaft.
Use BMW special tool
23 2 430 or similar drifl to drive seal
until fully seated.
- ZF S5D 3202 transmission:
Place BMW special tool
23 2 380 or similar protective
sleeve over input shaft.
Coat sealing lip of new seal with transmission oil and push
over protective sleeve up to transmission housing.
* Remove protective sleeve from input shaft.
Use BMW special tool
23 2 340 or similar drift to drive seal
until fully seated.
- 6-speed transmission:
Fit
cap of BMW special tool 23 2 492 over tool sleeve.
Coat sealing
lip of new seal with transmission oil and push
on tool sleeve. Remove tool cap from tool sleeve.
- Push sleeve with seal on input shaft.
- Use BMW special tool 23 2 491 or similar drift to drive seel
until fully seated.
Remove protective sleeve from input shaft.

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Manual Transmission
- Thoroughly clean guide sleeve mounting bolts, sealing sur-
faces, and threads. Apply
Loctite8243 or equivalent thread
locking compound to guide sleeve bolts. Reinstall guide
sleeve and
spacer(s).
Tightening torques
Guide sleeve to transmission case
M6 10 Nm (89 in-lb)
* M8 x 22 18 Nm (13 ft-lb)
- Max30 25 Nm (18 ft-lb)
- Reinstall transmission.
TRANSMISSION REMOVAL AND
~NSTALLATION
Removal and installation of the transmission is best accorn-
plished on a lifl using a transmission jack.The engine must be
supported using appropriate support equipment. This allows
the engine to pivot on its mounts to access the upper
Torx-
head bolts at the bellhousing.
WARNING-
Male sure the car is stable and well supported at all times.
Use a professional aulomorive lift or jack slanos des~gned
lor the purpose. A floor jack is nor adequare supporr.
The removal of the transmission may upset the balance
of the vehicle on a
lifl.
Transmission, removing and installing
- Disconnect negative (-) cable from battery.
CAUTION-
Prior to disconnecting the battery, read the battery discon-
nection cautions given
in 001 Warnings and Cautions.
V-8 engine: Remove plastic engine cover.
Early models: pry out protective caps (arrows), then re-
move nuts securing cover. Lift off cover.
Later models: depress four studs to release, then
lift off
cover.
- Raise and safely support vehicle
- Remove engine splash shield from underside of vehicle
- Remove exhaust system and heat shields. See 180 Exhaust
System.

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230-1 8
Manual Transmission
- Unbolt clutch slave cylinder from side of transmission. Do not
disconnect fluid hose. Suspend slave cylinder from chassis
using stiff wire.
CA UTIOG
Unbolt clutch slave cylinder slowly to prevent air being
drawn into hydraulic system.
. Do not operate clutch pedal with slave cylinder re-
moved from transmission.
4 Put BMW special tool 11 7 370 or appropriate sized spacer
between engine oil sump and front axle support. Lower trans-
mission until engine is supported on spacer.
0 V-8 vehicle: Turn front wheels to prevent strain from being
placed on center tie rod.
All vehicles: Tilting the engine to lower the transmission
can lead to damage to various components due to lack
of clearance at rear of engine. Lower transmission
slowly
- Support front of engine with floor jack.
4 Disconnect shift rod from selector shaft coupling
- Disconnect shift console from top of transmission. See 250
Gearshift Linkage.
6-cylinder: Remove transrnisslon mounting Torx-head bolts
(arrows). Note length and locatlon of bolts.
Remove
transrnlssion by pulling backward untll transmls-
sion Input shaft clears clutch d~sc spl~nes, then pull down-
wards. Lower
transmlsslon jack to remove transrnlsslon. -
- - -
-

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Automatic Transmission
Automatic transmission applications
Automatic transmissions are identified by code letters found
on a data plate located on the side or rear of the transmission
case. See table below for application information.
Automatic transmission applications
Model Year Engine Transmission
5281 to 911999 M52 A4S 310R
5281 from 911999
M52 TU A5S 360R
5251 to 312001 M54 A5S 390R
5251 from 312001 M54 ASS 3252
530i to 312001 M54
ASS 390R
530i from 312001 M54
A5S 3252
540i from 111997 M62
TU A5S 4402
Automatic transmission basic components
The automatic transmission fitted to BMW 5 Series models is
comprised of
3 main elements:
0 Torque converter capable of torque multiplication at an
infinitely variable ratio
Electrohydraulically controlled valve body
0 Gearbox containing 5 forward speeds and reverse

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- .- -
Automatic Transmission
Electronics are used to control the operation of these auto-
matic transmissions. Steptronic transmission functions are
also programmed into the transmission control module
(TCM). The TCM monitors transmission operation for faults
and alerts the driver by illuminating the transmission fault indi-
cator on the instrument panel. Diagnostic trouble codes
(DTCs) stored in the TCM may be downloaded and interpret-
ed by trained technicians using special BMW diagnostic
equipment.
Some minor automatic transmission problems can be cor-
rected by changing the automatic transmission fluid (ATF)
and filter. Begin by checking ATF level and condition.
Checlc
to see if the fluid is dirty or has a burned odor indicating over-
heated fluid. The burned odor may be the results of burned
discs in theclutch paclts. The friction material from the burned
disc can clog valve body passages.
NOTE-
The E39 automatic transmission is not equipped with a dip-
stick.
Checking the ATF level must be done while monitoring
the ATF temperature with the engine idling. The
BMW dealer
is equipped with the special equipment to make this check.

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240-6
I Automatic Transmission Automatic transmission fluid (ATF)
The E39 automatic transmission is filled with either Dexron Ill
ATF or Texaco 80728, a life time oil.
CA UTIOI\C
Use only the transmission fluid that is approved for use by
BMW All other fluids will cause non warrantable transmis-
I sion damage.
Mixing different types of transmission fluids will lead to
transmission failure.
NOTE-
The type of transmission lubricant used can be found on a
stickeron the transmission pan. Dexron
111ATF (blacksticker)
reads "ATF-Oil': Special life time oil (green sticker) reads
'Life-Time Oil': If in doubt, consult an authorized
BMW dealer
for alternate fluid use and current information regarding
transmission operating fluids.
ATF level, checking
Check ATF level if there is evidence of a leak, a complaint re-
lated to fluid level or afler transmission repairs.
The automatic transmission is not equipped with a dipstick.
Checking the ATF level requires that the transmission be at
operating temperature during the checking procedure.
NOTE-
Vehicle must be level throughout tests
- Drive vehicle to warm up ATF to operating temperature.
- Connect BMW diagnostic scan tool DiSplus, MoDiC, GTI or
equivalent to determine transmission oil temperature.
ATF level checking
Fluid temperature
30' - 50°C (85' - 120" F)
- With engine running, switch on air conditioning to increase
engine idle speed.
- Apply parking brake.
- While applying foot brake firmly move gear shift selector
lever through
all gear positions, pausing in each gear briefly.

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Automatic Transmission
- Raise and safely support vehicle.
CA U JIOG
Male sure the car is stable and well supported at all times.
Use a professional automotive lift
orjack stands designed for
the purpose. A floorjack is not adequate support
4 With engine running and selector lever in PARK, remove filler
plug (arrow)
(A5S 360R transmission shown, refer to other
illustrations for location of filler and drain plugs on other
transmissions).
If a small stream of fluid runs out of the filler hole the level
is correct.
If no fluid
leaks out when plug is removed, fluid level is to
low. Add ATF fluid until it starts to overflow.
Install filler plug using a new sealing ring.
Hot ATF can scald. Wear eye protection and protective cloth-
ing andgloves during
the check. If the tmnsmission was over-
filled, hot ATF will spill from the filler hole when the
fill plug is
removed.
ATF, draining and filling
The procedure given here includes removal and installation of
the fluid strainer (filter). Refer to illustrations in Automatic
transmission fluid
pan and strainer.
Remove ATF drain plug
(1) and drain fluid into container.
WARNING-
ATFshould be warm when draining. Hot ATFcan scald. Wear
eye protection, protective clothing and gloves.
Remove transmission pan mounting bolts and remove pan.
Remove pan gasket and clean
gasket sealing surface.
- Pull ATF strainer from transmission pump housing. If strainer
sealing ring remains in pump housing remove using a seal
puller.
- Installation is reverse of removal.
Always replace seal for drain plug and all
gasket(s)
and O-rings.
Clean sump and sump
magnet(s) using a lint-free cloth.
Tighten transmission pan bolts in sequential order.
Using filler plug
(2), fill transmission with approved ATF.
Check fluid level as described earlier.