Manual Transmission Specifications (BMW 5 Series E12)

BMW 5 Series vehicles were initially equipped with two types of gearboxes:

• on models "528", "520" and "520i": BMW 242/4 four-speed gearbox with Borg-Warner locking synchronizers on all forward gears;
• on the 525 and 528 models: a four-speed Getrag 262/8 gearbox with synchronizers with a Borg-Warner locking device on all forward gears.

Depending on the vehicle's configuration, a five-speed Getrag gearbox was installed with Porsche synchronizers on all gears.

Gear ratios

Speedometer drive ratio: 2.5.

Data for adjustment

Axial clearance between the end face of the new locking ring and the end face of the synchronizer ring gear, mm: 1.0.

Minimum axial clearance between the end face of the locking ring and the end face of the synchronizer ring gear, mm: 0.8.

Width of guide rib, mm:

• "518", "520", "520i":
• shift forks I, II, III and IV gears: 5^-0,03_-0,06
• reverse shift forks: 6^-0,07_-0,145
• "525", "528":
• shift forks I, II, III and IV gears: 7_-0,04-0,098

Axial clearance of primary and secondary shafts, mm:

• "518", "520" and "520i": 0.50-0.60;
• "525", "528": 0,17-0,40.

Axial clearance of intermediate shaft, mm: 0.10-0.20.



The intermediate shaft can be partially disassembled. Only the gear rims of the first and second gears are made on it. The third and fourth gears must be pressed and pressed on a press.

Force from presses to gears of III and IV gears of intermediate shaft, tf: 10.

The pressing force of the gears of the III and IV gears of the intermediate shaft, preheated to a temperature of 120-150*0 ("518", "520", "520i") or 150-180°C ("525", "528"), ts: 7.

The intermediate shaft is supplied as an assembly for spare parts.

Rolling bearings used in BMW gearboxes "518", "520", "520i"

runout of the secondary shaft, measured at the end and at the point of attachment of the secondary shaft flange, no more than, mm: 0.07.

Gearbox oil

Used oil: EP. SAE 80-90.

Gearbox housing filling capacity, l:

• "518", "520", "520i": 1,0;
• "520", "525": 1,1.

Frequency of checking the oil level: every 15,000 km (the oil should reach the level of the lower edge of the filler hole).

Oil change interval: every 30,000 km (immediately after the trip).

Tightening torques of main threaded connections, kgf·m

• Gearbox housing to engine block mounting bolts: M8: 2.5; M10: 4.7.
• Nut of the rear end of the secondary shaft of the gearbox. 10.0.
• Nut for bolt securing rear cover to gearbox housing: 2.5.
• Nut securing silent block to crossmember: 4.8.
• Nut of the bolt securing the suspension bracket support to the gearbox housing: 2.5.
• Drain plug: 6.0±1.0.

Since model year 1977 on BMW "525", "528" and the "528i" was equipped with a four-speed Getrag type 269/9 gearbox with Borg-Warner synchronizers.

Gear ratios

Speedometer drive ratio: 2.5.

Axial clearance, mm:

• primary and secondary shafts: 0-0.09;
• intermediate shaft: 0.1-0.2.

Runout of secondary shaft when measured by journal, mm: 0.07.

Permissible end runout when measured along the journal and at the secondary shaft flange mount, mm: 0.07.

The remaining characteristics of the Getrag 269/9 gearbox are the same as those of the Getrag 262/8 gearbox.

Tightening torques of main threaded connections, kgf·m

• Bolt M12 for fastening the gearbox housing to the engine block: 7.2-8.0.
• Drain plug 4.0-6.0.
• Nut for bolt securing rear cover to gearbox housing: 2.5.

A five-speed Getrag 265/6 gearbox was installed upon request.

Gear ratios

Speedometer drive ratio: 2.5.



Gearbox housing heating temperature when pressing in bearings, °C: 80.

Axial clearance, mm:

• primary shaft: 0-0.09;
• secondary shaft: 0-0.09;
• intermediate shaft: 0.1-0.2;
• 1st gear pinions: 0-0.9;
• sliding synchronizer clutch: 0-0.09.

Tightening torques of main threaded connections, kgf·m

• Bolt M12 for fastening the gearbox to the clutch housing: 7.2-8.0.
• Drain and filler plugs: 4.0-6.0.
• Front cover mounting bolts: M8x22: 1.8; M8x30: 2.5.
• Rear cover mounting bolts: 2.5, except:
• bolt M6x355: 1.0;
• bolt M6x16 (first apply a special adhesive such as Loctite to the threads): 0,9.
• Secondary shaft flange nut: 10.0.

Since the 1980 model year, the BMW "518" and "520" were equipped with four-speed BMW gearboxes of the 242/18 and 242/7 types, respectively.

The 520 model was optionally equipped with a BMW 245/11 type five-speed close-ratio gearbox with direct V gear.

On request on models "525", "528i" and "535" was equipped with a five-speed Getrag gearbox type 265/5 with direct V transmission.

On request on models "518", "520", "525" and "528i" were equipped with five-speed "economical" gearboxes of the BMW 245/4, BMW 245/2, 265/4 Getrag, 265/6 Getrag types with an accelerating V gear.

Gear ratios of gearboxes

Speedometer drive ratio: 2.5.

Gearbox characteristics

Since the 1982 model year, the BMW 5 Series has been equipped with the following brands and types of gearboxes:

• "518": BMW 242/8; 245/4;
• "520": BMW 242/7; 245/11; 245/2;
• "525i": Getrag 262/9; 265/5; 265/6;
• "528i": Getrag 265/5; 265/6.

Tightening torques of main threaded connections, kgf·m

• Gearbox housing to engine block mounting bolt: M8: 2.2-2.4; M10: 4.7-5.1.
• Gearbox mounting bolt to clutch housing: M12: 7.2-8.0.
• Drain plug: 4.0-6.0.
• Nut for bolt securing rear cover to gearbox housing: 2.5.
• Output shaft flange mounting nut: installed with Loctite type glue "Frenetanch".
• Nut securing the silent block to the cross member: M10: 4.3-4.8.
• Bolt for fastening the silent block to the gearbox housing: M10: 4.3-4.8.
• Bolt for fastening the cross member to the body floor: M8: 2.2-2.4.
• Bolt for fastening the suspension bracket support to the gearbox housing: M8: 2.2-2.4.