Bucking rear end? - Page 2 - United Bimmer Community

**Dudesky** · 06-10-2006, 05:34 AM

I was gonna say, I thought BMW's were notorious for not having a way to check the "lifetime" fluid. Heh. I guess I would check around the casing to see if it's wet, but then again, you'd have smelled it by now

xsperf, it's neutral, not drive

**xsperf** · 06-10-2006, 12:34 PM

oh, is it neutral.. my bad, so what is the process exactly, move it through all the gears, then put it in neutral, then check it? maybe i am completely misinformed.. . however, doughboy, it should be somewhere in the back, i have never owned an automatic BMW, but the tranny is behind the engine, so the dipstick is probably back there

**Dudesky** · 06-10-2006, 01:59 PM

^^^Yes, that's how it's done. However, from what I've heard, the 3 series from E46 and newer don't have dipsticks; the fluid is sealed in, and you don't check it.

**xsperf** · 06-10-2006, 02:49 PM

oh, maybe you are right dudesky, that kinda sux tho, but theres no dipstick, however u CAN change the fluid, right?

**doughboyea** · 06-10-2006, 05:33 PM

Quote from the almighty "bible"

Quote:

The automatic transmission is not equipped with a dipstick. Checking the ATF (automatic transmission fluid) level requires measuring and maintaining a specified ATF temperature within a narrow range during the checking procedure. The checking temperature is not fully warm or cold (the ATF pan should be warm to the touch).

--Raise and safely support the vehicle to access the ATF plug.
--Warm up drivetrain by running engine until ATF reaaches specified temperature. Apply brake and, while idling engine, shift through all gears severeal times. Turn engine off.
--Connect vehicle to BMW diagnostic scan tool....
--Remove ATF fill plug (located on driver's side rear of tranny).
--Place transmission in neutral and restart engine.
--With ATF between 85-120degF, add fluid until it spills from fill hole.
--Reinstall fill plug using new sealing ring.

And that's how you check?! Damn. That's messed up.

And I don't get how your suppose to keep the car in neutral AND shift through all the gears. That just doesn't make sence.

Dough

**Dudesky** · 06-10-2006, 08:32 PM

No, no, read your quote again . . shift through all gears with your foot on brake first, then shut off car. Open the plug and put in neutral, then start car again.

**doughboyea** · 06-10-2006, 08:51 PM

What's confusing me in that quote is when it's written, "while idling." I guess they mean simply that while the engine is running. I read that thinking that it's just not in gear.

Dough

**celsdogg** · 06-11-2006, 09:51 AM

^^^ man if thats what we have to look forward to with E46 ownership, that sucks. i always did (and still do) want an E46.

**doughboyea** · 06-14-2006, 01:04 PM

I took several pics of the rear end and a few of the under side of the trans. I'll post them up when I get home from work.... The underside of the diff looks rusted, but i'm sure that is normal considering where the unit is located.

Dough

**doughboyea** · 06-15-2006, 10:18 PM

The following are a series of photos, many infact, viewing the rear end from different angles inorder to see all that's possible.

Passanger Side Rear Wheel Viewing Forward

Differential on Passanger Side, Viewing Forward

Differential on Driver's Side, Viewing Forward

Closeup of Differential Joint of Above

Differential on Passanger Side Viewing Rearward

Driver's Side Rear Wheel Viewing Forward

Engine Oil Pan View from Passagner Side

Transmission Pan View from Passanger Rear Side

And just to show the tire tread...
Driver's Side

Passanger's Side

So... anyone spot anything? I couldn't find any leakages....

Dough

PS, this is my 1000th post

, not that I'm my post count.

**xsperf** · 06-16-2006, 01:28 AM

can u take 1 more pick, of ur guibo(if it exists on auto tranny) and possibly the driveshaft center bearing?

**doughboyea** · 06-17-2006, 06:43 PM

guibo? isn't that an italian slur?

**94bmw325i** · 06-18-2006, 01:02 AM

I thought guibos were just on manuals, your diff does look a little rusted, my cars didd isn't anywhere near as bad looking as that. The bucking couldn't be something like poor trailing arm bushings, or something suspension related?

**doughboyea** · 06-18-2006, 10:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 94bmw325i

I thought guibos were just on manuals, your diff does look a little rusted, my cars didd isn't anywhere near as bad looking as that. The bucking couldn't be something like poor trailing arm bushings, or something suspension related?

I was going to say that the rust is probrolly because I'm from NJ... then I realized your in Delaware... though this car is from NY/CT area.

I'm beginning to think that Dudesky (and others) may of been right. Thinking back, it was a subtle bucking, not aggressive at all. It hasn't occured since the posting of this thread, and, I've been hitting it hard several times since then.

Dough

**celsdogg** · 06-18-2006, 12:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by doughboyea

guibo? isn't that an italian slur?

i think ure thinking of guido.

**doughboyea** · 12-22-2006, 11:00 AM

Many months later.....

Dealer's Inspection I reveled this:

Shock Mount and Shock cracked, $324.51 & $627.29
Transmission is Slipping between 4th and 5th, need new tranny

Fuck BMW

Dough