BMW ZF 5 Speed Manual Transmission Fix (5th Gear Lean, Detents, Shift Pins/Springs)

In this video I show how to replace all of the shift pins, fifth gear detent, and reverse detent on a ZF 5 Speed manual transmission. This transmission came out of an E53 X5 3.0, but this video applies to E36, E46, E39, and other BMW models that came with the ZF 5 speed manual transmission. Be sure to watch the entire video before attempting this fix so you can be prepared with various odds and ends you may need. MAKE SURE YOU DON'T MIX UP THE REVERSE/FIFTH GEAR DETENTS WHEN REINSTALLING!
Here are the links for the specialty tools:
Thayer Motorsports Shift Pin Tool Kit:
amzn.to/2JwLG2v
Shift Pin Repair Kit (Part Numbers are listed on the website):
click.linksynergy.com/link?id...
Slide Hammer:
www.harborfreight.com/slide-h...
Molly Bolt:
www.harborfreight.com/40-piec...
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Disclaimer: Some links will contain affiliate links. Due to factors beyond the control of ShopLifeTV, I cannot guarantee against improper use or unauthorized modifications of this information. ShopLifeTV assumes no liability for property damage or injury incurred as a result of any of the information contained in this video. Use this information at your own risk. ShopLifeTV recommends safe practices when working on vehicles and or with tools seen or implied in this video. Due to factors beyond the control of ShopLifeTV, no information contained in this video shall create any expressed or implied warranty or guarantee of any particular result. Any injury, damage, or loss that may result from improper use of these tools, equipment, or from the information contained in this video is the sole responsibility of the user and not ShopLifeTV.

[@ShopLifeTV]

Thumbs up and subscribe for more BMW content!! Thanks for watching and don't forget to VOTE!

[@___rocaj]

Any ideas as to where i can get the tools amazon says they dont know when they are coming back in stock???

[@FlightDeckGA]

Thank you, ShopLife! If there are 5 gears+ a reverse, why are there only 3 pins and 2 for the reverse and 5th?

[@FlightDeckGA]

Do we need to use the special tool to tap the cap in or can a socket work? Thank you!

[@jrattackk]

@@___rocajget someone to measure specifications and have the measurements sent to a local machinist if there’s nothing else

[@hawkeye1939]

Little tip with 5th and reverse cap, if u use a flat head and hit the caps near the edge the will spin, saves screwing into them

[@juanmaldonado3281]

SIR. THIS. IS. THE. BEST VIDEO. I FOUND. HERE AND. THE. MORE. EXPLICID. TNKS. IS. A. MASTER WORK...WE. LOVE IT

[@Thnxtdk]

love your videos man! i have a 323i with practically no issues because of your clips. i always have people ask me "you really don't have any issues?". and my answer is always " i did in the beginning, but I've addressed them!" Here we are about to hit 200k, same engine, transmission, and it doesn't leak or smoke . its got widebody fenders with m3 bumpers and exhaust. hoping to get an s54 soon!

[@fitzmorrison3808]

Hey man welcome home Big fan. Learn a lot from i have a e46 and e90 thanks for all the golden nuggets.

[@ShopLifeTV]

Thank you Fitz!

[@misterx3492]

Thanks for showing this.. makes me start the job with way more confidence 😎

[@ShopLifeTV]

and hopefully save you some moneeeyyy!

[@y2ksierra]

Great job, looks like frustrating but rewarding work.

[@MrNicoe36cabrio]

Very Nice DIY guys! Stay safe, Dutch regards, Nico.

[@FastEd_120]

Great video Jason. Thank you.

[@danl4222]

The moly bolt tip DID help out a lot.. That ws good "thinning" ! I did not want to pay 100.00 for an expansion tool with the "dent puller" look to it. what you did worked just as well. tks

[@charlieward7606]

tip for anyone doing this, put grease on the drill bit and the screw, save you putting loads of metal shavings in your gearbox

[@Astra8676]

Hey dude, great tutorial!!!

[@ShopLifeTV]

Thanks!!

[@davidkim4819]

Great explanations and video!! TYVMI

[@geovannijames]

Great video... You should do maintenance DIY for the GM transmission on the e46, besides the fluid and filter change.

[@MusicianKnowsBest]

My 2002 BBMW Z3 3.0i with the same transmission had a terrible fifth gear lean when I first got it in November of 2018. Then the next year I changed the transmission fluid with royal purple gear oil and changed the shifter with a used OEM replacement one and ever since the fifth gear lean is gone. Also the detents while still not great (I would like them to be a little bit tighter) are a lot BETTER. There for a while I thought I was going to have to do this fix but for now I am going to leave it alone LOL

[@bmwsincekid]

This Guy Should Fix newer cars He has the Talent

[@SmartsmileGT]

You should make a video on the shifter itsself. It’s be cool to see a super tight n snappy shifter

[@gio_ziraqa]

Does this apply on 5 speed manual (i think mine is ZF and not getrag) e34 transmissions? Thanks for amazing video btw, have been watching you for years 🤗

[@manuelcastaneda7102]

Thanks for the videos , wondering if this pins fit my 6 speed

[@daviddebuhr8995]

Nice. I just did this on my E36 M3. Inner race blind puller / slide hammer yanks the 5th and R detents out like they aren't even there. Molly bolt was clever though!

[@bimmermavenwrench1660]

or 1/4 inch NPT tap

[@BigCheese55555]

This video is way better

[@planet3bike]

Would the procedure be the same for the E46 M3 6-speed manual? I've noticed that the reverse detent is very easy to get over compared to the one in my 5-speed E46 318i.

[@QRS365]

good video. i have 2 quest...... 1) what is the purpose of those pins and why should we change it?

[@devinmack5152]

Great tutorial indeed. Not good with trannys yet, but I picked up a rare 2004 X3 6MT factory (37 made), but it's a ZF and no info on it. You think the Detents will work with the same ZF but with an extra gear.

[@stevelee2504]

Can you show us a video on how to remove the transmission on a X5?

[@Vash16xli]

I'd love to see a oil filter housing replacement tutorial for e60 from you someday.

[@ShopLifeTV]

Here are vids that will apply: M54: kzbin.info/www/bejne/jp2rkqSqi7KApJo N54, also similar for N52: kzbin.info/www/bejne/gYq6ZKh_mZJ8f68

[@Vash16xli]

@@ShopLifeTV would this include the engine oil cooler too?

[@artdell]

Hey bro I have a e39 540, I’ve bought all the pins, would that special tool kit work for that gear box as well ?

[@n54glo]

you should get a n54 335i and do maintenance videos on them....

[@allanedwards2490]

Awesome video. I am in Johannesburg South Africa. My e34 535i manual gearbox wont go into 5th. Do you have any tips please. It's a getrag 260 225 1.3. Would greatly appreciate your comments. I am a weekend cowboy and am doing most of the work myself but am not a qualified mechanic

[@chrise4659]

What is the consequence of not lining the shift pin sleeve slot left/right on the case? I rushed right into the install after countless hours trying to get the old bushings out. From my limited understanding, as long as the slot is not at the 6 o'clock position (towards bell housing) it should be good?

[@jasonboatner825]

Having trouble locating this kit anywhere. Will you be restocking soon?

[@JorgeRodriguez-qs1wz]

SERIOUS QUESTION: any way I could run this transmission in a rwd e46 obviously without the transfer case

[@Marduk19914]

Stupid question maybe ,is the 5 speed manual transmission same on petrol and disel variants?

[@JohnJohn-fy4lu]

Drills hole, uses self tapper.

[@sein7381]

Hey man , I know my question is irrelevant under this video , but since it's been posted a day ago , I thought you'd check it . I own BMW E46 318i 2003 , and my oil sensor shows a yellow light on the dashboard. Does this light mean I got low oil level ? Or does it mean that the oil is not good ? Also , another important question , do BMWs burn or evaporate or loose oil level ? Is that a normal thing ? Or is it actually a problem if a BMW looses oil

[@sein7381]

I'm using a 10w40 fully synthetic oil from synionic gold

[@czarli]

could 5th gear and reverse be done with the transmission in the car?

[@alexriel6013]

I got a 2000 bmw and its stuck in reverse how do I fix it, it has a 5 speed

[@mikemmcmeans]

what about popping out of 1st gear?

[@user-xr7yw7cb2w]

I have a 5 speed Getrac and I hve the tranny out AGAIN becuz after replacing the clutch and flywheel I can’t find 1st and 2nd gear. I find reverse forcefully but it jolts back into neutral and I hear a odd click. Please help

[@9ssdv8r]

The one VAG driver watched this vid and did the thumb down...... 100% GREAT vid guys!

[@amefandi44]

I have a 535i e39 1997, it won’t stay in Reverse pops out when letting go of the clutch, but if I push and hold In reverse It doesn’t pop out when letting go of the clutch. The transmission doesn’t exists in Sweden so I can’t buy a new one

[@JrIza_914]

2:47 Giggity giggity!

[@Andrewlone174]

Does anyone know where I can find same video but about 6 speed gearbox??????????????????!

[@hawkeye1939]

Hahaha what are the chances, I needed this 2 days ago 😅

[@user-nz5pn2th2z]

уже купил скоро буду делать тоже самое

[@deadspin33]

Can I still drive the car with it leaning towards fifth gear or will they do damage till I repair it

[@e36fanatics]

Nothing will happen... It just sucks switching gears when the stick isnt centered but instead its leaning towards 5th in neutral

[@Cops-R-Bad]

I have a 2013 335i 6-speed. Have you ever done this job on one of those? Nobody seems to sell parts for that ZF GS6-45BZ gearbox. Why??

[@samlaw4443]

Hey, did you ever find out if it is possible on this gearbox?

[@dmytrogoncharuk6710]

What about 4th gear?

[@kukufoo]

Is the housing the same in all cars with the ZF 5 Speed except for the front differential? I would like to swap my auto trans out in my '06 E53 4.4. with one of these manual transmissions. Which transmission will fit? Does it have to come out of another E53? I believe E53 manuals are rare.

[@9ssdv8r]

Hi Rick, sorry to say No to your question, these ZF 5 speed manuals where only fitted to the straith 6 3.0i and 3.0d,and V8 engines only came with automatic, manual shifters was a factory option on the 3.0's and so they are really hard to find even here in Europe, of about every 3.0 i looked for only some 15 had 5 speed manual transmissions. This type of ZF shown in the vid is actually a pre-facelift 5-speed after facelift they got 6-speed manual, you can tell because of the shape of the end of the gearbox where it's attached to the transfercase, this still is the one without the electric motor on the transfercase,which all 6-speed manual boxes had after the X5 E53 facelift in 2003.

[@darek4488]

Buy an adapter plate for M62 and a common gearbox you can find. The adapter kit addresses the clutch too. Otherwise there are only 2 transmissions that will fit, and they are both rare and expensive. Either from a 540i manual or the M5.

[@luisg6924]

where can i get a service kit if ecs no longer carries it

[@aaronbirdi3252]

I’m trying to find it too bro. Let me know if you find it anywhere..

[@garrettgiuffre5653]

Just taaaapbit in happy. Tap it in

[@blago6]

Dont drill the caps you'll get mettal shavings in the box punch them with something sharp then screw your bolt

[@darek4488]

Lots of shit gets inside the gearbox if you do it this way. Next time just use a regular wood or drywall screw with the pointy tip. No need to drill. And the metal caps can be just punched through with something sharp and a hammer.

[@Andrewlone174]

Is this procedure and parts will fit for 6-speed gearbox???????Is this procedure and parts will fit for 6-speed gearbox???????Is this procedure and parts will fit for 6-speed gearbox???????Is this procedure and parts will fit for 6-speed gearbox???????

[@markt9438]

335 I seem to be the big ticket how come you're not jumping all over this

[@chrise4659]

Pick doesnt work. Magnet doesnt work. The pins are hardened and cant drill into them. There is no way of getting these damn pins out. Also cant get even my shaved down tiny flat head under them to cave them in. Wtf is going on