Removing and reinstalling autobox

[Martin323i]

Hi everyone.

I'm about to take out my autobox to change the fooked torque converter with another.

I have my trusty Bently manual handy for guidance, but wondering if anyone has some tips for me on procedure and especially tools required.

Thanks
Martin

[Martin323i]

Thanks for that.

Anything else guys?

[chu346]

Oh yes, some very good advice.

Never, ever try to fit the converter to the engine and then try to put the gearbox on.
Always fit the converter first. To do this, stand the gearbox on it's tailshaft and very carefully lower the converter in. When it's sat in, turn the converter and you'll feel it 'clunk' and drop in another inch - that's the slots in the converter shaft locating with the oil pump. This is VERY IMPORTANT. If you don't do this, more than likely you'll fit the gearbox and as you tighten the bellhousing bolts, the converter will break the ears off the oil pump - no drive in any gear, scrap gearbox. Once the converter is properly located, use some string to tie it back so that it doesn't try to disengage when you're wrestling with the bastard to get it back on.

I didn't do this and it cost me Ԛ£200 to fix the oil pump alone

[chu346]

Are you the guy who bought the Autobox from me up near Mansfield??!

I remember selling a perfect working autobox from an '87 325i to a guy with a 325i 'Vert, who fitted it and found it didn't work. God I hate old autoboxes........

Who me?

No!

I got my old box fixed.

[Martin323i]

Just an update:

Ended up going to mechanic to have box removed. Considering cost quoted vs probable irritation caused trying to do it myself, I ended up taking the car to him.

I did stick around most of the time though. I think his other clients think I work there.

When it came to fitting the converter I found that the guy doing this couldn't quite get it on, so I suggested putting the box on it's tail. PLOP - it went in like a dream.

Thanks Arogos for your great advice.

[Martin323i]

Right, got the box in last night.

box running great. Shifting perfectly. Kickdown cable is not so great tho. Need to get that replaced soon. In mean time will drive car as manual.

Driving off this morning the box sticked in first gear untill at about 50km/h, same as old box. Guess these boxes just do that then? Maybe needs to warm up first to reduce friction or something.

[MONSPORT42]

Sorry Martin, these boxes shouldn't do that! I would re-check the fluid levels again now that you've driven it a while, might find it needs topping up again. Failing that there's something else amiss. Unless you are up to pulling a box apart and know what to look for about the only thing you can change easily is the filter accessed from the inspection panel at the bottom of the box. Having said that, they usually make a screeching noise when blocked. Good luck