Author Topic: Clutch Replacement/Transmission Removal (Read 3441 times)

phrunt · « **on:** April 02, 2010, 09:51:37 PM »

Is it just me or is replacing the clutch on a M42 e30 a pain in the arse.

I thought I could remove the transmission by just removing the torx bolts but I am wrong. Turns out the starter nut is going to be in the way of removal. I don't see how i can take the starter out without removing the entire electrical harness and probably the intake manifold. Anyone have any suggestions?

ecalder · « **Reply #1 on:** April 02, 2010, 10:37:36 PM »

Hey man those two bolts that hold the starter in are attached to the bell housing of the transmission. No need to mess with the starter, it will fall off when you remove all the bolts. I think they're supposed to be hex bolts but mine were a medium sized torx bolt, either way reach around the transmission from under the car and you'll find them. They're tough but everything I did to remove my transmission happened from under the car. Putting it back in is a different story, I had to use a wire to hold the coolant hoses and harness back while I stabbed the tranny back in. That's the pain in the ass, removing it should be (relatively) easy.

phrunt · « **Reply #2 on:** April 03, 2010, 01:08:44 AM »

For some reason mine is different. There is a nut at the other end of each of the torx bolts that hold the starter in. The bolts go right through the engine and bell housing and to the starter. I finally took the transmission off by moving the wiring harness out of the way and getting a ratchet with a series of swivels and extensions through the engine bay.

I think re-assembly is going to be way too hard with the engine in the car. I am going to remove it. Might as well... It will give me a chance to do some extra maintenance and maybe paint the inside of the engine bay.

BimmerJon · « **Reply #3 on:** April 03, 2010, 01:28:53 AM »

Yep, the starter nuts can be quite a pain...later model e36s have threaded starters rather than bolts and it is much easier. You don't need to pull the engine (or even the intake manifold), it just takes some creative use of extensions and u-joints. Alternatively, you could tack-weld the nuts onto the starter to emulate the later model threaded starters.

Good luck!