E39 Auto problem

Post Fri Jun 15, 2012 1:35 pm

My daily e39 has just died on me! Yesterday it started being a bit funny going into reverse, pausing for a second or 2 before selecting reverse and would jump into reverse harder than normal.

Today, I went to reverse up a small hill and it was struggling. Had to rev it to make it move. Then the next time I selected reverse nothing happened at all.

It goes through all the other gears perfectly and there is no transmission/engine light on the dash.

Any common problems as to what it could be or is it likely to be terminal?

Thanks in advance,

Ross

Post Fri Jun 15, 2012 2:20 pm

Most likely the reverse drum has split and the circlip holding the clutch rings in has made a bid for freedom. Depends to an extend on what E39 it is. Petrols have ZF boxes, diesels have GM units.

Post Fri Jun 15, 2012 2:25 pm

It's a 528i.

That doesn't sound good though

Post Fri Jun 15, 2012 3:15 pm

It's a pain, but a secondhand box isn't the end of the world.

Post Fri Jun 15, 2012 4:02 pm

Reverse gear is overrated, the Chinese aren't fussy

Post Sat Jun 16, 2012 3:22 pm

Will be gracing these shores in the form of a toaster in no time at all

Post Sat Jun 16, 2012 3:43 pm

Seems a shame. I'd at least pull the gearbox out and have a look inside. A secondhand clutch drum won't be a lot and from what I've seen, someone skilled with a Mig welder could repair a broken one - it's only mild steel.

Post Sat Jun 16, 2012 4:05 pm

This happened to my 530i, definitely the drum, very common fault, type BMW reverse drum into google.

I put a second hand box into mine.

Post Sat Jun 16, 2012 5:18 pm

This is interesting:

http://forums.bimmerforums.com/forum/sh ... ?t=1833201

On this one the actual cast drum broke up. On some it's the pressed steel bit that splits and that can be welded. The problem is that the later stuff (5HP19 versus the old E34 5HP18) is made from poorer quality materials. I don't remember the E34 suffering from reverse failure but it's quite common on these and E46's.
Even so, it looks like a nice bit of kit to work on.

Post Mon Jun 18, 2012 10:07 am

Andyboy wrote:This is interesting:

http://forums.bimmerforums.com/forum/sh ... ?t=1833201

On this one the actual cast drum broke up. On some it's the pressed steel bit that splits and that can be welded. The problem is that the later stuff (5HP19 versus the old E34 5HP18) is made from poorer quality materials. I don't remember the E34 suffering from reverse failure but it's quite common on these and E46's.
Even so, it looks like a nice bit of kit to work on.

Would be good fun to do, but I am lacking space to do it with the e30 in my work shop right now. At the end of the day, it cost me a grand, lasted a year and 12k miles of Jersey motoring without wanting for anything so it isn't the end of the world.

On a positive note, it's pushed me into finishing the e30. Should be out in it by the weekend