Removal and installation of automatic transmission (BMW 5 Series E28)

If your vehicle's radio is equipped with an anti-theft system, make sure you enter the correct code before disconnecting the battery.

If the instrument panel displays the wrong language after connecting the battery, refer to Section Anti-theft audio system and instrument cluster language, which describes the procedure for installing the required language.

Removal

1. Disconnect the negative battery cable.

2. Disconnect the throttle cable and remove it from the bracket on the intake manifold (see chapter Power supply system).

3. On M10 engines, remove the distributor cap to prevent damage to it when removing the transmission and the engine is tilted rearward.

4. Jack up the vehicle and securely place it on axle stands.

5. Remove the exhaust system (see chapter Power supply system).

6. Disconnect the selector rod from the cable (see section Adjusting the selector lever drive).

7. Remove the driveshaft (see chapter Clutch).



8. Drain the transmission fluid (see chapter Routine car maintenance). Remove the fill tube and disconnect the coolant lines.

9. Plug open lines to prevent dirt from entering the transmission.



10. On 3HP 22 transmissions, remove the transmission cover at the bottom of the dome. On other transmission models, remove the stiffener and transmission impact limiter at the bottom of the dome.

11. Through the hole in the dome, release the bolts securing the rotary converter to the drive disk. There are four such bolts on 3NR 22 transmissions; on 4HP 22 - three. If necessary, turn the engine so that all bolts are visible.

12. On vehicles with the Motronic fuel injection system, remove the engine speed and crankshaft position sensors installed in the transmission dome (see chapter Ignition system).

13. On vehicles equipped with 4HP 22 EH transmissions, disconnect the control module electrical connector on the left side of the transmission, just above the transmission oil pan.

14. Support the transmission from underneath with a special transmission jack or jack on wheels, placing a block of wood between the jack head and the transmission oil pan to protect the pan. Remove the rear transmission mount and, if provided, the reinforcement beam, loosening the bolts securing them to the body. Lower the engine and transmission onto the front axle.

To avoid damage to the converter or transmission, do not allow the converter shaft to support the weight of the transmission.

15. Remove the transmission dome mounting bolts from the engine.

16. To access the torque converter, remove the inspection grille on the side of the dome. Using a pry bar to hold the torque converter securely attached to the transmission, separate the transmission from the engine.



17. If installing a new or rebuilt transmission, remove the rotation converter from the old transmission and install it on the new transmission. To remove the converter from the old transmission, insert the two long bolts halfway into the mounting holes of the converter and pull evenly on both bolts. To install the converter, see Section Replacing oil seals, paragraph 6.

Installation

Installation is generally done in the reverse order of removal, but keep the following in mind:

1. Tighten the rotation converter bolts to the required torque.

2. Before connecting the cooler lines, blow them out with compressed air, then flush them with clean fluid to remove friction material particles that could clog a new or rebuilt transmission.

3. Use a new gasket on the transmission oil pan drain plug and a new O-ring on the filler tube connection to the pan.

4. When connecting the control unit connector on 4HP 22 EH transmissions, make sure that the marks are aligned.

5. Fill the transmission with new, clean fluid (see chapter Routine car maintenance).

6. Adjust the selector lever drive and throttle cable (see sections. Adjusting the selector lever drive and Adjusting the throttle cable).