How to: E60 545i/550i Transmission Service

[@rulebraking]

Well, seeing that this job required the removal of exhaust n lowering the transmission etc (applies to E63/4 as well)- it got me thinking and as my Nom d' YT implies, I wasn't going to accept this - so, after ten minutes of looking around the transmission, it became obvious that it could be done without all that hassle! I tested the passage of the transmission coupling from the front of the transmission (on the passenger side of course) by the O2 sensor. Unclipped the sensor cable and connector and bend forward out of the way. Unclipped the transmission cable harness further back which makes it possible to push the coupling backward - slightly over the transmission - cables n connector to unclip can be seen min 4:10 thru 4:40 - and through assembly. Having tested that it could push the new coupling all the way back and out again, i got the job done. Admittedly it is a bit finickity to remove and replace the coupling - but doable, as other videos show. Needs small pry bar, long needle nosed pliers and dexterity of fingers. And like all things BMW - patience is mandatory! Anyhoo - saved me a bunch of time and avoided some bigger calamity such as busted exhaust studs! Another tip - i made a bent hook with hanger wire to loosely hold the coupling as you pull it through instead of squeezing my hand up the side! Happy wrenching!

[@jhoner2635]

Me watching this while all my hands are covered on transmission fluid and under the car 🧍🏽‍♂️

[@MarceGuerrero50913]

Did you do it alone ? With jack stands ?

[@AT-rk5ci]

Nice video! Espicially the bonus with broken stud!😂🤙

[@Addouk]

Thank you so much, could not find a good E60 tutorial, was worried about removing the trans mount whilst being under the car, now I'm happy to go ahead with it to get that darn connector seal back in and get my E60 on the road!

[@TyraleBloomfield]

Thanks I’ll be following this one. Keep them coming on this e60.

[@RhysMorgan69]

Great video - I’ll let my shop do that job again. It made such a differnce to smooth shifting at 60k and now needs doing at 120k.

[@davewallace9048]

Well explained one of the best videos on this subject I have seen.. Great job!!

[@BassFraud]

Thanks Chris! Really enjoyed watching this 👏🏽

[@markbinclappin7232]

Once I Hurd “The Bimmer Barn” I subbed 😂🔥🔥

[@jeremiahraley1494]

Finally someone made this video

[@baims8367]

e60 owners TIP prior to draining and or removing tranny pan be sure that you can actual remove the Fill bung these are aluminum and also hex allot times there seized in and or prior owners strip the hex head and your screwed!! ALSO if ever beating on the exhaust w hammer or air tool be sure to remove the o2 sensors as the vibrations from the hammering can KILL/WIG out the o2 sensors.. hope these tips help someone.

[@MrAlexiasjones]

I just pried my transmission to the side to remove the sleeve.

[@Nico_335i_DCT]

Great job Chris! Have a great weekend too! Dutch regards, Nico.

[@kecars2547]

Nice work

[@patrickrice6752]

That's what I'm waiting on

[@cletusf]

Yo bimmer barn, i recently a couple months ago bought a 550i M-sport in pretty good condition and have had it as my daily, but I noticed that whenever I put it in sports transmission mode and sport mode and then like petal to the metal and floored it, the car would shift past redline (which is 6500 rpms) and it would shift around 6700-6850 rpms and it worries me a lot and makes it much harder for me to floor it because I'm worried about the car redlining before shifting to the next gear. I was hoping if you would know any solutions on how I could fix my car. I would really really appreciate and I can follow up with more info if needed

[@moStallion]

5:50 how would I know if the gearshift lever is in place correctly

[@garymendoza6947]

What mileage was the e60 at when you did the trans fluid change?

[@dupree68]

What recommended fluids..how many quarts

[@Vitor-li7lb]

hello the bimmer fam! i have my 550i e60 same as u had and now last times i been haveing problem when i start the car is no problem but them i drive a little bit and when i turn the car off it will not start again but computer saying ignition is switch on .. do you know what it cam be?

[@Isaac956Official]

My bmw 550i doesn't wanna drive after 5m of driving you know if it just needs more transmission oil or what could be the problem?

[@kiwiconnection3580]

Probably blocked filter. Kills the pressure and acts like it's in neutral

[@XxTrickFlowxX]

Wait I thought there was a torque sequence for the t40 bolts holding the transmission pan?

[@TheBimmerBarn]

There isn't a particular tightening sequence, but the service manual recommends doing the final torque of the bolts in a "diagonal pattern". Great catch!

[@pamsali]

Hi, what model to quickjack use?

[@dawiskid187]

You should service the transfer case too.

[@TheBimmerBarn]

This is the rwd model, but I'll definitely have to do that on the upcoming 535xi build!

[@Vannyvann7420]

I have a 2011 bmw 550i and I did the same procedures and got 5 liters in and I can not find the transmission fluid capacity info to make sure I put enough in the car

[@ceezauto213]

Have you gotten any info about it since then ?

[@thomasstiglich3484]

The final fill must be done with the engine running. If not, the fluid in the torque converter will drain. 5L is not enough fluid for a fill.

[@grayjc]

Great video and I plan to stock up on the material list for this task. I like the lift that you are using. Do you have a video on that device? Thanks

[@TheBimmerBarn]

Yeah! I have a video on my channel, it's called the Quickjack and it's a really neat, compact lift.

[@champspec]

FYI, There’s no gears inside that transmission. Automatics are made up of clutches/frictions, steels clutch plates, drums, bands, and pistons.

[@sebaspena7002]

Hi!, really cool vid, quick question, Is this the Same exact process for a 2004 545i? And my trans is slipping 1st this could be the problem? Need help man

[@brandonr1355]

Hey bud, would this service help the car shift smoother from 2nd to 1st when coming to a stop. Or a hard shift from drive then to reverse.? Those are the only times I get a hard shift

[@User-qu7pq]

Yes my 1-2 or 2-3 shifts hard to 😊

[@emerald1834]

I have heard that a broken bridge seal adapter can cause harsh downshifts

[@granthouse1046]

E60 transmission is the worst transmission bmw made horrible

[@guyfrancis6883]

The transmission is made by ZF - a German gearbox company. There are a lot of cars with this gearbox (type ZF6HP26 into wiki ... even Aston Martin). Not saying it's great but servicing on time to recommended specs is the best approach. Mind you, different companies specify different fluids for their cars - eg Ford (cheaper) and BMW (expensive).

[@emerald1834]

Maybe not the transmission, but I think that bmw did not design their cars with service in mind. The way they cram stuff together or make it so you have to remove tons of parts to get to one thing. Then there's also the fact of no dipsticks, and lots and lots of plastic.

[@granthouse1046]

@emerald1834 I had this transmission rebuild still the same BMW told me to buy I junk yard transmission to get close that transmission you have is a hard fix

[@Matt_from_Florida]

So you topped off the ATF while the car was at its normal operating temperature, correct?

[@diegofeijo4355]

Great video! Wondering why my 08 550i after transmission fluid change ,starts driving smooth then all lights come out in cluster,dsc,airbag,transmission malfunction, maneuver car in red shows ... lack of power and no way to put it in drive or reverse. Any tips where to check

[@TheBimmerBarn]

I'd recommend getting a good scanner that can give you all the fault codes, and go from there! All those systems are connected, so you want to find the root cause 🧐

[@TheBimmerBarn]

It could just be low on fluid, something may have broken during service, or a totally unrelated fault putting the car into limp mode. Good luck!

[@shawnhess87]

Same problem 2011 550i after serviced. Any info to relay here?

[@juliuscaesar756]

My 05 545i only drives in reverse and won't drive forward can anyone e help with what this could be

[@jackdoe3889]

Not looking forward to this, but as a means of preventive maintenance I need to do it on my 650i E64. How much oil did you actually end up refilling? To do this right you need a shop with a AT oil flushing device and in that process about 11L is used.

[@drewdavis239]

Just picked here to comment cuz its recent.... could you do a video and upgrade the e39 tail lights to the celis led style later tail light... and include the lcm unit on the right hand passenger foot well outer wall (below the glovebox) I think my 2000 is a LCM3? But I don't know how to tell... thanks in advance.

[@JohnDoe-xb7ov]

Please tell me you remember your separator plate number on ur valve body b053 or b047 please tell me

[@ShadowStreamMedia]

I have a 2008 550i. I got a transmission malfunction that put the car into limp mode. But when I restarted the car, it goes away. Do you think that changing the fluid, filter, and sleeves will change it?

[@shawnhess87]

Same... any info?

[@shawnhess87]

2011

[@shawnhess87]

I just did fluid ,filter and sleeve at a mechanic shop. Now I'm getting that same code

[@ShadowStreamMedia]

@@shawnhess87 I’m gonna save you a bunch of money. Integrated supply module. It’s this little box on the passenger side, under the hood. Cost me $120 shipped. I kept getting that limp mode error. As soon as I changed it, all my issues went away.

[@leodavalos8451]

My 540 doesn’t let me shift from park , the car was running perfect and overnight I went into this situation I don’t know what it could be , I had a gear position sensor that I reset with my Obd but it popped up again after having the car idle for 5 min.

[@emerald1834]

Bridge seal had the same problem with mine. If you need to move it, switch it into gear then give it gas before it can switch back to park. It will jerk a little but then you will be on your way

[@itsuo777]

Where did you order the pan filter and fluid ?

[@TheBimmerBarn]

I get most of my stuff from FCP Euro, RM European, or Rockauto

[@itsuo777]

@@TheBimmerBarn thank you sm 🙏

[@jefffreeman4531]

Can you do this to my 545i got cash in in Columbus Ohio you anywhere never that

[@Iamchriss01]

Would this solve the jerking when accelerating? I’ve gotten tune up and oil change and my trans fluid is low. Car would jerk a lot especially between 50-80mph. Also it would jerk like i got hit when i come to a stop. Any idea what it is? I just want the car to drive normal🙄

[@TheBimmerBarn]

Low trans fluid causes all sorts of problems, atleast do a drain and fill with a filter! Good luck 👍

[@robertyebra1167]

Would you say you NEED to tilt the transmission?

[@emerald1834]

I'm going to have to because I have tried for an hour and there is no possible way to get the old plug seal out with the way it is. I'm hoping that you can leave the exaust system on though I'm going to try

[@regulus8319]

@@emerald1834did you get it?

[@Matt_from_Florida]

That music is *SO IRRITATING!* I'm older and my hearing isn't very good. I have to really struggle to hear over that music.

[@6ix4ourty5ive_ci_thrill]

Dope video ! just got my trans serviced at 170k Miles on my 645ci, shifting smooth !

[@canooples5134]

Your video is a life saver dude thank you. Every other video I see of doing this work is either way to long with bad explanation or bad camera angles where you can't see anything.

[@luckyhack78]

y do 3 steps more with automatic gearbox that are never flushed, before pull out the hydraulic part y flush new oil in it until new dripping out. y unscrew the coolant lines and flush new oil in it until clean oil came ou of the other coolant line new filter, pan and fill up procedure , Go drive a little , 20/30miles and flush again (without take off the pan) Y do this so the new oil do not mix up with the old one

[@diegoramirez819]

my car is a 2006 bmw 550i at 195,500k miles don’t know if the transmission ever been serviced u reccomend me doing it ?

Ok

[@rayyoung5360]

how often should the transmission be serviced?

[@brandont1799]

Every 30-60k depending on how you drive the car. Ex. Primarily city driving is harsh on transmission fluid and engine oil, so you may want to change it every 30k. If you do mostly highway driving 50-60k is just fine. At least you’re aware that it must be changed and didn’t listen to BMW who tries to tell you some B.S. about how it is lifetime fluid.

[@rayray3009]

@@brandont1799 Lifetime fluid is a crock!! It sucks people do what the manufacturer tells them and it slowly damages the car. Total scam to sell more cars.

[@anthonymontana457]

Anything on removing fuel injectors and installing fuel injectors?

[@smamas114]

Is there any chance that if i change the gearboxe oil to run bad ? Sometimes doesn’t change gears smoothly but only when i am driving slowly,from 2nd to 3rd , like a shift shock ….or the oil level it’s low……i purchase the car (e60 520d 2008) but i don’t know if the previous owner had changed the oil 🤔

[@samuelgardner5315]

My 2007 550i has that rough low speed shift between 2nd and 3rd, don't go so slow and feather the accelerator, slightly firm acceleration and total accelerator lift off for coasting. FYI not always recommended to change the trans fluid, the detergents in the new fluid can actually cause problems, any good independent bmw mechanic will tell you that

[@deemack3719]

YOU HAVE THT BEST HOW TO VIDEOS...& DAM GREAT MUSIC 🎶🎶

[@Freeway_k]

Finally a video on this car. Please do more on the e60

[@chadriddle3517]

Excellent video Chris ! I’ve personally done this same job on our 2007 530i . I wanted to ask if you have replaced the transmission mounts on this style transmission? I’m about to tackle that job . Fcp don’t carry them I noticed maybe Ecs tuning does . Thanks for the good Bmw content