E34 540i6 bad tranny output shaft bearing....
 

so it turns out that the clunking upon acceleration that my car has is coming from the tranny, we jacked it up on a lift today and my driveshaft has QUITE A BIT of play in it coming out of the tranny. Its not getting any worse but i know that im going to have to do something about it eventually, its not like its going to get better with time. anyone familiar with these transmissions, i know how to work on/rebuild transmissions, but i heard that these BMW 6 speeds are a different story, it was recomended that if i need to tear the tranny apart to replace anything i would be better off just buying another one, anyone have any thoughts or ideas? replacing or rebuilding the tranny isnt the worst thing in the world, but if it is at all possible to just replace the output shaft bearing id rather just do that.....btw, if you didnt read the sig its a 95 e34 540i 6 speed

I think the seal is the only thing that can be replaced without opening the tranny, but I could be wrong. The bearing might be locked in from the inside . . only one way to find out.

I'd watch this thread for a little while, there's a couple of 5 series guys from the northwest US (devinwwu for one) who have done tranny work, but they're not online everyday.

i know for most GM trannies there is a rebuilders guide available, is there anything like that available for these?

I would go with a replacement gearbox, less headache and more reliable...

You can't rebuild some BMW gearboxes because the parts are not available. I have an E39 that will need the tranny replaced eventually. I went to several reputable tranny places and BMW does not sell the parts to rebuild it. You are stuck with a new BMW tranny or a used tranny. When it is time to replace my tranny, I will opt for the brand new, since I plan to keep my car for awhile. Good luck.

Is it true that BMW did not make v8 trannies and that it was purchased from an American car company to put in the 540s

It's not unlikely, but I wouldn't know. I do know that the E36 Getrag's are GM tranny's.

its gonna be hard to find one of these things used, and i really REALLY dont want to shell out the cash for a new one from BMW, but i guess i have no choice, im not gettin rid of my beloved E34

ha, the dealer wants 5000 for a rebuilt transmission, looks like im callin junkyards and lookin for parts cars

i thought the Automatics (ZF's?) were GM sourced trannys :dunno

^^^I think they both are . . or do I have them backwards?

Baldingo, call up Bavarian Auto Recycling (http://www.bmrparts.com) and ask them for a quote. They're fairly reasonable. To give you an example, they quoted me $650 for a tranny, and $107 freight from their location in California to NJ.

thanks for the help, i am actually about 5 minutes from this place so i wouldnt even have to pay shipping, i just called and theyre closed, ill give them another call tomorrow

anyone else who has any ideas please let me know, or if you know of someone or somplace that has one of these trannies

thanks for all the input guys

-Sam

im not sure :dunno, i was shocked either way when i heard it.