[Unspec]

Originally Posted by Smytty

Had this thread pinned for a while; going to tackle this sometime in March just trying to visualize the repair. This is done entirely without the wheels spinning? Can I keep the car on Jack stands while running through the ISTA procedure or will the wheels have to be on the ground?

The wheels will not move during the below procedure?

Step 4. Foot on brake, release parking brake, shift car into reverse, release brake. Wait 10 seconds. Brake, shift into drive, move shifter to the left and go into M1. Release brake, wait 10 seconds. Shift into M2, wait 10 seconds. Brake, shift into park, engage parking brake.

BMW was not clear on the wheels part, but when I contacted ZF, they said the wheels should NOT spin. So, yes, keep car on jack stands, and then just keep your foot on the brake pedal any time you're in gear.

Thank you for bringing Step 4 to my attention, I had neglected to update that step to reflect the ZF information. You should NEVER release your foot off the brake.

[Smytty]

Originally Posted by Unspec

BMW was not clear on the wheels part, but when I contacted ZF, they said the wheels should NOT spin. So, yes, keep car on jack stands, and then just keep your foot on the brake pedal any time you're in gear.

Thank you for bringing Step 4 to my attention, I had neglected to update that step to reflect the ZF information. You should NEVER release your foot off the brake.

Thank you for the clarification. Also Thanks for the write up will be tackling this in the coming weeks. I’ve only done trans fluid in my late Great E60 6MT. Just drain and fill.

Diff fluid on a RWD 550 is just drain and fill correct?

[Unspec]

Originally Posted by Smytty

Thank you for the clarification. Also Thanks for the write up will be tackling this in the coming weeks. I’ve only done trans fluid in my late Great E60 6MT. Just drain and fill.

Diff fluid on a RWD 550 is just drain and fill correct?

Yep nothing fancy. There's no drain plug IIRC so you need to figure out how to suck out the fluid. I used thin poly tubing to mine out.

[ChiltiCoatl89]

I deeply respect the attention to detail in making this for all of us to use! I want to do this myself, I have the tools for it, I know my 5er will greatly benefit from a drain and fill.

[ezaircon4jc]

One big reason I don't do this is the need to keep the car level. I'm also not young enough anymore to do all this work lying on my back.

[ChiltiCoatl89]

Originally Posted by ezaircon4jc

One big reason I don't do this is the need to keep the car level. I'm also not young enough anymore to do all this work lying on my back.

Buy a lift!

[ezaircon4jc]

Originally Posted by ChiltiCoatl89

Buy a lift!

Won't fit in my garage...

[BuiltnBoostedZ]

Good write up. Bout to do this after I swap coil packs, spark plugs, water pump, and front brakes. Sitting at 53k miles.