Need to replace g260 need help tips for tranny swap

[David219]

So when I got my ES I soon realized 5th gear was almost gone it would grind and only shift when u slammed it into gear now reverse is gone too so time to replace.Its my first 30 and want to do the work myself so any tips for removal special tools I've read on some threads that people make a huge swivel and extension set up for some of the top bolts? I plan on buying a g260 from Bavarian auto recycling with the next week. Is there anything else I should replace while it is out? I am already replacing the Csb and guibo cuz they are shot. I want to get rid of the horrible shifter slop too what shifter should I run??thanks guys by the way it's a 86 325es

[Jaxx_]

I would consider doing the RMS and possibly pilot bearing. make sure the whole assembly is in good order, visually inspect the clutch.

A transmission jack is nice. It's tough to balance a transmission with a floor jack and a piece of wood.

If you aren't interested in touching the clutch, then the toughest part will probably just be seating the new transmission and the bolts.

[David219]

Thank you sir..sorry I'm a noob RMS?? Should I get a z3 shifter and replace the linkage to kill the sloppy shifting?

[jlevie]

Changing a Getrag 260:

1) Get the car as high in the air as possible on four jack stands. Six-ton jack stands fully extended is about right.
2) Drain the coolant and disconnect the radiator hoses.
3) Support the transmission with a jack and remove the transmission support, then remove the jack and let the rear of the transmission sag.
4) Use an engine brace to lift the front of the engine until the head hits the firewall. Harbor Freight has one that isn't expensive.
5) Remove the exhaust at the headers and remove the drive shaft
6) Disconnect the aluminum shifter at the transmission or remove the sheet metal shifter. The "bitch clip" will kick you but the first time or two. But it isn't that hard to get out with a small screwdriver and a "twisted" hose tool.
7) Disconnect the reverse light switch and dismount the the slave cylinder.
8) Use a 24" extension and a short wobble extension to get to the upper bolts. With the front of the engine lifted there is enough room to get one hand above the transmission to guide the the socket on.
9) Though tight, there is enough room to work a wrench on the starter nuts from underneath.
10) Make darn sure you have all the bolts out, position a transmission jack, and gently pry the transmission off the dowels. Back it out and lower it. The $70 Harbor freight transmission jack works just fine.

Installation is the reverse. Use new copper plated nuts and gaskets when re-installing the exhaust. If you don't have new self locking nuts for the drive shaft, use blue locktite on them. Unless recently rebuilt, replace all of the bushings in the shifter.

[David219]

Awesome jlevie thank you!!!

[TimKninja]

I would go through and replace ALL of the shifter bushings. Delrin ones are the best for the shifter carrier. Someone on here is making them and their cheap. the Z3 1.9 Shifter is awesome, had it on my last car.

I HIGHLY reccomend this tool for reaching the top two trans bolts from the engine bay. You will also need external Torx sockets.

http://www.harborfreight.com/t-bar-with-3-8-eighth-inch-flexible-ratchet-98484.html