Gearbox output shaft seal

[luckyrob]

Hi I need some help please.

I'm trying to replace the output shaft seal on my 1989 325i manual but can't seem to find a socket to fit the nut which it is underneath.

I think it is a 30mm but I've tried 3 different sockets and the only 1 I have tried that is deep enough, the sidewalls of it are too thick to get in.

Is there a 'special' socket designed for the job or am I just being thick?!

[Brianmoooore]

It will be a thinwall 12 point socket that you need. Or a normal deep 12 point that's been turned down on a grinder.
Before you get too involved, failure of this seal is extremely rare, but directly above it is another small seal around the selector shaft, and failure of this one is extremely common!
Most cases of gearbox rear seal failure are actually oil running down from the seal above it.
If it does turn out to be the gearbox output shaft seal at fault, you need to smear sealant on the splines when replacing the output shaft, to prevent oil finding its way along these splines.

[SGP]

I had exactly the same situation just yesterday. Thought it might be the output shaft seal, but as Brian said it was the selector seal. I stood the gear box on its end and the oil flowed out quite rapidly from there. It was only leaking while the engine was running - as the selector shaft seal is over the max oil level while at rest.

[luckyrob]

Thanks for the advice guys....

I'll have to check the selector seal as well then