And my gearbox comes out again!!!

[Steamyrotter]

Well it was too good to be true!!!

After 3000 miles of reasonably good going the X is on the ramps again and considerably lighter...

Symptoms -
Slight metallic ratttle (like a heatshield) from bell housing area alters with engine speed!
rattle goes and is replaced by a more rythmic slight knocking from same place...
Low end trque and high end accelleration not as it used to and would hold gear longer than expected.

Knocking gets worse on start up and when put in gear, ok in neutral and when lock up clutch engages..
Pressures within expected range as per the manual.

All pointing to dodgy torque convertor.  Not wanting the box to go again i stopped driving it to save any debris going through.

So on my back over the weekend.
Gearbox is now out again.
Stripped front end down to check oil pump and everything in there looks spot on and fluid looks like new with no signs of metallic debris so box seems fine.

Found flex plate (betweeen flywheel and torque convertor) slightly damaged in that 2 of the 3 convertor mounting locations have snapped off which is not good!!

So have sourced a brand new convertor (didn't realise they still made them) but was only £45 +vat more than refurbing mine (again).
New flex plate and bolts ordered, just looking for fluids.

Only problem i have is the filling plug had seized and rounded off leading to having to "persuade" it around with a repetitive percussive motion..
(Hit it with a chisel!!)
Unfortunately cannot source a new plug!!!!

Oh well here's to next weekends job of hopefully putting it all back in !!

[X5Sport]

If it's a ZF box, try contacting their main UK service centre:

http://www.zf.com/eu/content/en/great_b ... epage.html

Might be able to order a spare direct from them.

Richard

[Steamyrotter]

Good thought but it's the GM one 

Have a potential solution to it now..

and it's not chewing gum!!
lol

[X5Sport]

Is there no part number for it on Realoem?

Richard

[Steamyrotter]

good point..
I keep telling people to go on there but dont do it myself!!

Looks like 24117507787
Phone call to stealers tomorrow!!
Cheers

[shadrack]

bet your sick as f...k arnt you?  you could be the first to do auto-manual conversion on an x5!

[Steamyrotter]

[quote="shadrack"]
bet your sick as f...k arnt you?  you could be the first to do auto-manual conversion on an x5!
[/quote]

I've had worse days!!!!
At least i know the box is OK.

I actually have everything for a swap to manual.. Including a folder full of info and downloads showing what electrical and coding mods are needed to complete it.

[shadrack]

[quote="Steamyrotter"]
[quote="shadrack"]
bet your sick as f...k arnt you?  you could be the first to do auto-manual conversion on an x5!
[/quote]

I've had worse days!!!!
At least i know the box is OK.

I actually have everything for a swap to manual.. Including a folder full of info and downloads showing what electrical and coding mods are needed to complete it.
[/quote]

well get it done!! the mechanicals wont be that bad will they? I did a 325i 5months ago and was surprised how easy it was

[Steamyrotter]

[quote="shadrack"]
[quote="Steamyrotter"]
[quote="shadrack"]
bet your sick as f...k arnt you?  you could be the first to do auto-manual conversion on an x5!
[/quote]

I've had worse days!!!!
At least i know the box is OK.

I actually have everything for a swap to manual.. Including a folder full of info and downloads showing what electrical and coding mods are needed to complete it.
[/quote]

well get it done!! the mechanicals wont be that bad will they? I did a 325i 5months ago and was surprised how easy it was
[/quote]

The only main issue that stopped me was the front & rear Diff rations..
They are slightly different for the 3.0D Auto to any other model...
Auto is 3.73:1  Manual is 3.03:1
(There are other ratios also but all less than the 3.73)

Doesnt sound much but works out to about 500-750 rpm more at 60MPH
Wasn't too sure what that would sound like at motorway speed.
Top end speed would be lower but then it would definitely get there quickly!! 

The other issue was the economy at that engine speed??  How that would be affected?

The final gear ratio of the 5sp manual box is 1:1 which is what 4th is in the auto.

gear 1 2 3 4 5 R
Auto 3.42 2.21 1.6 1 0.75 3.02
Man 5.24 2.91 1.81 1.27 1 4.85

Having now purposely stayed in 4th I don't think the extra revs is too much of an issue but still decided to give the Auto the benefit of the doubt.
I have repaired all the major deficiencies of the box and it is (should be) internally better than new..

[jaynana]

the auto box is a 6-speed right?

[Steamyrotter]

not pre facelift..
It is a 5sp GM Box