E12 transmission bolts

bizz · Post by **bizz** » Fri Feb 15, 2013 7:01 pm

Hi everyone.
I'm currently in the midst of pulling apart my 528i parts car (suprisingly therapeutic)

I want to remove the M/T but am stumped how to attack this top 17mm bolt on the transmission, my ring spanner won't go over it:

Any tips? Cheers

bizz · Post by **bizz** » Fri Feb 15, 2013 10:34 pm

I managed to find a slimmer spanner to fit between the bellhousing and the bolt - did the trick

Not sure how you would get to this from under the car however?

Nick · Post by **Nick** » Tue Feb 19, 2013 10:30 am

I got it on mine when I was pulling the transmission. Had the drive shaft out, and the transmission crossmember. Once those were out of the way, I got a 3 foot 3/8" exstension with a universal joint on the end. Was able to get that in there no probably.

Mike W. · Post by **Mike W.** » Tue Feb 19, 2013 10:35 pm

3 feet plus of extensions and at least one U joint. Plus dropping the crossmember.

bizz · Post by **bizz** » Wed Feb 20, 2013 3:54 am

WOW! I guess i'll need to invest in some uber extensions when it comes to dropping the auto box... or i'll pay someone to do it haha (but where's the fun in that)

Thanks guys

peminick · Post by **peminick** » Mon Mar 25, 2013 7:26 pm

I'm very grateful for this conversation, as I am just about to pull the 4-speed transmission on my '79 528i and this prepped me for what I have in store.

When I'm looking down at this particular bolt on my car, though, it really looks like it goes through the bell housing and through the starter mount, where it is held in place by a nut. Does that sound right?

stewart in slc · Post by **stewart in slc** » Mon Mar 25, 2013 10:47 pm

That sounds right

peminick · Post by **peminick** » Wed Mar 27, 2013 9:46 am

Lovely. Got the thing with ~3 ft of extensions and 2 u-joints, just like you guys said. Thanks for sharing this approach.

bizz · Post by **bizz** » Sat Apr 27, 2013 10:29 pm

I won't say it was an enjoyable experience, but a single u-joint and a couple of extensions worked for me too

1st 5er · Post by **1st 5er** » Tue Sep 17, 2013 11:31 pm

If it's the 265, drop the tranny first and then the bellhousing.
That's what worked for me.
I do have the extensions and wobbleys though.

KenB · Post by **KenB** » Wed Sep 18, 2013 12:13 am

My question is, Why insist on removing that bolt from below?

I have pulled these transmissions a few times and I never remove that bolt from below. Below, I remove the ones that are easily accessed from below. Above, I remove the ones that are easily accessed from above. For the one in question, I disconnect the driveshaft, place a jack under the transmission, remove the crossmember, raise the jack strategically to tilt the engine forward, which gives the most clearance away from the firewall as possible, slip a thin box end over it, slide a long pipe over the wrench and up toward the ceiling/sky. Then I just take a nice clean, short, hard smack at the pipe with something with decent mass. Then I just work it out with a combination wrench and fingers.

Or maybe this is the one where I set the box end up on the bolt head, have it lie sideways in the engine bay and then take a long 2x4 and just kinda quickly jab it down it on the extreme opposite end of the combination wrench, then go at it with fingers.

Well, it's one of those two. You'll know when you see it.

No big deal at all if you have the right approach.

KenB

DMS · Post by **DMS** » Wed Sep 18, 2013 1:55 am

I completely agree with you Ken. That's also the way I do it.