5HP30 Transmission Filter Change

[632 Regal]

I just bought a 14mm allen wrench and cut an inch of it off and used it in a socket...not bad for 2.99

[Mr._Graybeard]

I just bought a 14mm allen wrench and cut an inch of it off and used it in a socket...not bad for 2.99

Yep, even with a standard 14mm allen-head socket I had to hack a piece of the hex section off to squeeze it into place on the drain plug -- space is tight down there.

Stargazer, I did not do this myself, but you could conceivably drain and fill the pan over the weekend, drive the car for a week or so and then pull the pan next week (or in a reasonably short time) to replace the filter and do a second fluid swap. You're going to want to change fluid at least twice anyway to get out as much old fluid as possible.

BTW, look for minor leaks at the wiring harness plug and selector shaft seals. They could get worse when the new fluid is trying to get out.

In fact, that's an excellent reason to do a drain and fill now -- if you find leaks afterward, you can chase them down without having to drop the pan twice.

[stargazer_61]

Yep, even with a standard 14mm allen-head socket I had to hack a piece of the hex section off to squeeze it into place on the drain plug -- space is tight down there.

Stargazer, I did not do this myself, but you could conceivably drain and fill the pan over the weekend, drive the car for a week or so and then pull the pan next week (or in a reasonably short time) to replace the filter and do a second fluid swap. You're going to want to change fluid at least twice anyway to get out as much old fluid as possible.

BTW, look for minor leaks at the wiring harness plug and selector shaft seals. They could get worse when the new fluid is trying to get out.

In fact, that's an excellent reason to do a drain and fill now -- if you find leaks afterward, you can chase them down without having to drop the pan twice.

Oh, I didn't think of the potential for leaks at the seals on the side. Thanks for that heads up!

Did you do the fill twice like you are describing? If so, how much fluid did you use? I have 7 litres now, but can get more easily enough. I just don't want to run out.

If that 14mm is as tight as the ones on the differential, I've got that covered with an allen wrench that's been heated and bent. I used a box-end wrench on it to break it loose. Man, that was tight!

I hit up Harbor Freight the other day for a set of Torx sockets and other stuff that I needed, so I'm pretty well covered in the tool box. I have a set of bits for a ratcheting screwdriver but I didn't trust those with the pan bolts.

[Tiger]

The allen keys, I bought it at Sears. Check online to see who has it... it is a monster sized allen key and you don't need to modify. You can hit with hammer lightly to loosen it

As far as refilling goes, it is tricky to do at home. I drove car on ramp... then I used two shop floor jack to raise rear end up to level the car out... fill in as much, close the filler hole, start car up for like 10 seconds or so... then shut off and refill tranny... I keep doing this a couple of times to make sure there is enough fluid.

The final topoff, I did it at my uncle's shop... I let car cool down enough and then start it up on lift... let engine idle, loosen cap and fill until fluid keeps coming back out and that is it.

You gotta get new seals for the two drain and refill plugs...

[Mr._Graybeard]

Stargazer, you have read through this web site, haven't you? It's the procedure I used. http://www.e38.org/zf-5hp30-service.html

Yes, I drained and filled twice for starters, and then pulled the pan for an inspection (with a third fluid change) after 5K or so. The fluid I drained at that point was still a little dark from residual Shell ATF and the magnet had picked up a very light coat of filings, IIRC.

You'll need 7 quarts/liters at each fill. I bought a case plus two bottles for starters.

If you're using a hand pump, you can speed things along by emptying the smaller bottles into a plastic gallon jug (or the metric equivalent). It's a lot less hassle dealing with a larger container if you're doing this while you're lying on your back.

My procedure differed a little from Tiger's, as I used the e38.org method. After buttoning up the pan (and replacing the drain plug) I filled it until it wouldn't take any more with the engine off. Then I started the engine and rowed through the gears (rear subframe on jackstands).

At that point I checked carefully to make sure the car hadn't shifted on the stands. After ensuring that I wasn't endangering my life by doing so, I got back under the car with the engine running and finished the fill.

The fluid should be a little warm (30-50c, I think) so let the car idle for 5 minutes or so before replacing the fill plug to account for fluid expansion. You can also put your ATF bottles out in the sun for half an hour... and I tried to do this job on a fairly warm day so the engine/trans weren't absolutely stone cold. That may sound a little anal, but ....

Should you have to replace the shift selector shaft seals, it can be difficult fitting the new seals over the selector shafts. If you decide that job is necessary, you can use pieces of a plastic soda straw slit up the side to sleeve the selector shaft temporarily -- the lip of the seal (lube with atf) will slide smoothly over the straw as you press the seal into place. Then you can slip the pieces of straw out..

[Elekta]

lastly you should do a reboot of the computer. Kurt Koeller recommends disconnecting the battery and taping the leads together overnight to be sure fer sure there is a complete brain drain, then reconnect and drive it robustly the next morning. It should eliminate the sensation that it is underfilled re: Reverse to Drive shifts....that is if you are positive you have refilled it properly.

best

[Tiger]

Watch out for hot cats on both sides if following other method... yep, they are searing hot is why I used my uncle's lift for final fill.

[stargazer_61]

Tiger, Mr. Graybeard & 530iTouring,

Thank you for your advice on this project. I think I am going to go with the procedure as outlined from e38.org. I've been studying this and feel that this is going to be the best way for me to do it since I do not have a lift. All of the tools are in hand and I'm ready to rock. I will definitely do a "brain drain" when it's finished.

I have been able to get the car pretty high in the air by driving on to front ramps and chocking the wheels, jacking up the rear and placing jack stands on the subframe, when I replaced the drive shaft last year. I am paranoid about 4000 lbs. of fine German engineering falling on me, so I kick and shove the car pretty hard prior to sliding underneath. I figure that I'll attach a small magnetic level to the frame so that there is no doubt the fill is completely done.

Looking underneath it I can see that the selector shaft seal is going south so I'm going to just go ahead and replace that anyway just to be sure, so that will be ordered as well. I am driving the 540 to the Chicago meet in June and do not want any problems out in the middle of nowhere.

[Mr._Graybeard]

If the selector shaft seals are failing, I'd change the seals at the plug for the wiring harness too. They are two white O-rings ... very easy to replace when you have the pan off.