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Old 03-13-2026, 02:43 AM
omodos omodos is offline
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Quote:
Originally Posted by wpoll View Post
Don't hear too many ZF users with the selector shaft seal leaking - more common on the GM transmissions.

The ZF has two well-known weak spots as it ages - the mechatronic (connector) seal and the internal "bridge" seal.



The mechatronic seal simply allows trans fluid to weep out. The bridge seal shrinks with heat/age and leaks fluid internally, causing a loss a of fluid pressure in the valve body (mechatronic). This can lead to a range of issues.

If you open this transmission up, it's worth replacing them all. And given the cost of the fluid (esp. OEM fluid!!), you'll likely want to maximise the result from the spend....
thanks Wpoll, I am edging towards biting the bullet and getting this done in next couple of months I'd say, picked up X5 , intercooler hose was replaced, tear was pretty bad no idea how it could have ripped that way(this was spewing oil over electrics making me think the power steering container/or cap had issues) but wasn't, mechanic is 99% sure the trans.fail.safe message issue was due to this BUT he did advise lets do the transmission fluid too before it hots up here temp wise out here, showed him your pics of the seals and he said yup very important, and went as far as saying i will open garage on Saturday and we start so no need for you to go rent a car....probably can be done in a day...did an oil and filter change (went with 5/40w as opposed to 5/30w and I do think it sounds more quiet, change thrust bushings too, and air filter....th
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E53 X5 3.0d SUV prod.date 11/2004 eng.variant M57N Europe Right hand drive N

Last edited by omodos; 03-13-2026 at 11:46 AM.
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