how hard is it to fit a m40 gearbox?

[Rorym2010]

hi peeps ive got an 89 316i and its started getting hard to get into first gear when its hot and sometimes crunches when i put it into reverse the problem is intermitent though and only does it sometimes ive replaced the clutch master and slave cylinder and the gear arm ball cup bushing but hasnt solved the problem and its slowly getting worse i was looking at replacing the gearbox and clutch and was just wondering if i could attempt to try and do it myself? i dont have a ramp any guidance would be much appreciated cheers

[Jos]

In theory it's doable on stands, wouldn't fancy it though.
Exhaust off, heatshields off, prop off, box off.
Refit is the reversal as they say but it would be a horrid job without some height to work with..

Getting the box back on is either 1st time or 2 hours of wiggling and cursing.

[bmw9818]

id get some high axle stands, very high ones, get a couple of tyres and rims and prop them on top underneath the car, two stands either side as well,

there are two bolts pretty much hidden at the top so youll need a long ratchet extension while your there,

id just fit a 325i engine, if not ive got a good gearbox on mine, which will be coming out soon

[Billwill]

I have replaced the clutch on my M40.....a bit of work but can be done by one, fairly strong, person.
As stated above you need some good stands to lift the car, a long ratchet extension and of course all of the correct female Torx sockets.

You need a trolley-jack to take up the weight of the gearbox as you remove it and replace it.
Make sure when you take the clutch apart that you are sure of which way round the friction plate goes for when you put in the new one. When I was young and foolish...I am older now...I put the friction disk back in the wrong way in my 1984 323i two door!

When I did my last clutch change I struggled to get the gearbox back on even though I had centered the friction plate properly with a dummy shaft...I eventualy found that the spare shop had given me a friction disk with the wrong amount of splines in the centre!

[Rorym2010]

cheers guys from the description ive given do you think i need to change the gearbox aswell or just the clutch??

[Billwill]

If you know that you can get a very good gearbox then I would suggest changing both at the same time as it is a lot of work. If you intend using your current gearbox and it leaks oil then now would be a good time to replace the oil seals.

Also check the condition of the center prop shaft bearing and the rubber Guibo and removing the exhaust will mean you get a look at the gasket between the exhaust manifold and exhaust.

[Rorym2010]

Have just replaced the exhaust gasket manifold and manifold to exhaust and gearbox seals were done a year ago took it on a long journey today and every gear change was fine but as I got back the clutch pedal started getting really stiff ?? Could it be a worn clutch fork? Or the clutch itself?

[Billwill]

I have never heard of a clutch fork wearing....sounds like the clutch assembly.
Either way you will have to drop the gearbox to have a look.