Hi guys, double newbie here - new to own BMW and new to X5

[Roman D]

Hey guys, I have question:
SACHS Clutch kit (P/N K70548-01) came in today and Short shifter from UCC on it's way (I hope) along with flywheel and number of other parts related to (that are on the way to) changing clutch/flywheel - I ordered all new bolts, drive shaft flex joints and center support bearing, buncha seals, Gearbox OEM oil, Syntetic Diff oil by Liquid Molly and Transfer case oil OEM etc. Is SACHS is the better one or should I return it get on made by LUK?

[Roman D]

Also, here are things I ordered (to someone who experienced BMW owner, would you please go trough it, may be I am missing something - I would appreciate you input):
BMW Clutch Kit (X5 E53) - Sachs K70548-01
BMW Clutch Release Arm Spring - Genuine BMW 21517570284 1
BMW Flywheel Bolt - Genuine BMW 11227519572 8
BMW Bell Housing Bolt - Genuine BMW 23001222894 5
BMW Clutch Pilot Bearing - Genuine BMW 21207536792OE 1
BMW Clutch Pressure Plate Bolt (8x16mm) - Genuine 07119906045 6
BMW Clutch Pivot Fork - Genuine BMW 21511223302 1
BMW Throwout Bearing Guide Tube - Genuine BMW 23117531354 1
BMW Audi VW Clutch Pilot Bearing - LuK 21207536792 1
BMW Dual Mass Flywheel - LuK 21207533868 1
BMW Bronze Clutch Fork Pivot - AGA 21511223328 1
BMW Drive Shaft Flex Joint Front (X5) - Meyle 26117503159 1
BMW Drive Shaft Flex Joint (325xi X3 X5 X6) - Meyle 26111229360 1
BMW Drive Shaft Center Support Bearing (X5) - Genuine BMW 26121229726OE 1
BMW Exhaust Flange Gasket - AJUSA 18107502346 2
BMW Rear Main Seal Kit - Genuine BMW 11141438274 1
BMW Transfer Case Fluid (1 Liter) - Genuine BMW 83220397244 1
Liqui Moly 75W40 Synthetic Differential Fluid - LM4421 3
BMW 75W80 MTF-LT-2 Manual Trans Fluid (5 Liters) - Genuine BMW 83220309031 1
Mishimoto Magnetic Oil Drain Plug (M14x1.5) - MMODP-1415B 1
I am trying to minimize the chance of taking the gearbox out more then once

[Joshdub]

That is quiet the list. Is there a reason you ordered the clutch return spring, bell housing bolts, and pivot fork? I have never replaced these when doing a clutch. In fact my E30 lost its clutch return spring and I never put it back in.

Here are a couple things I thought of;

- Don't forget brake fluid for bleeding the clutch. You might as well since you are in there.

- Order all the bushings for the shifter. A ZHP weighted shift knob never hurts either.

- Inspect the Xdrive actuator gear while you are in there. I hear they wear out, and while it doesn't sound like a difficult thing to get to (I don't know, I am pre Xdrive), I would be frustrated if I had to crawl back under the car again if/when it goes out.

That is all I can think of.

[Roman D]

Originally Posted by Joshdub

That is quiet the list. Is there a reason you ordered the clutch return spring, bell housing bolts, and pivot fork? I have never replaced these when doing a clutch. In fact my E30 lost its clutch return spring and I never put it back in.

Here are a couple things I thought of;

- Don't forget brake fluid for bleeding the clutch. You might as well since you are in there.

- Order all the bushings for the shifter. A ZHP weighted shift knob never hurts either.

- Inspect the Xdrive actuator gear while you are in there. I hear they wear out, and while it doesn't sound like a difficult thing to get to (I don't know, I am pre Xdrive), I would be frustrated if I had to crawl back under the car again if/when it goes out.

That is all I can think of.

I have ordered these not take a gearbox off twice (supplier policy - no hassle returns, 365 days, I did not request this), will return whatever was not used. - Brake fluid - yes, good Idea, will do.
I ordered the whole Short-Trow SHifter Kit from UCC, hope it will come with all the bushings I possibly need, for $350 it better.
Bolts were ordered because doc said they're 1 time use, may be, may be not but they were just a few $, say something goes wrong, where will I find metric hardware? Once again - I will return if not needed, all to one supplier.

[Joshdub]

I cannot get the diagram to load as a picture but this is what you'll want.

RealOEM.com - Online BMW Parts Catalog

#2, 3, 4, 5, 11, 12 (should come with 13 and 14), and 15. The UUC kit does not come with these, although you would expect that it does. UUC is very proud of their parts. I have their shifter in both my X5 and my E30.

[Roman D]

Originally Posted by Joshdub

I cannot get the diagram to load as a picture but this is what you'll want.

RealOEM.com - Online BMW Parts Catalog

#2, 3, 4, 5, 11, 12 (should come with 13 and 14), and 15. The UUC kit does not come with these, although you would expect that it does. UUC is very proud of their parts. I have their shifter in both my X5 and my E30.

Thank you, will order those tonight

[Roman D]

So, BMW gurus.... keep the SACHS clutch kit or order LUK?

[Ricky Bobby]

Both Sachs and Luk are OE supplied clutch kits, I'd keep the one you have. You aren't strapping a supercharger on it are you?

The list of parts looks good to me, subscribed to see progress, you have all the parts covered. The only bushings not included (but they really don't wear out) is on the pivot arm of the shift linkage, but it doesn't even get removed when installing the UUC SSK, the arm has two attachment points on top of the trans unlike the one pivot point on older bimmers so it doesnt wear like they do. All the popular wear items are replaced with the UUC kit, I love mine.

For $65, go order yourself a ZHP shift knob to complete it

[Roman D]

Hi, thank you. I am ordering shifter bushing as advised by Joshdub above, also new tranny mount is on its way. I will skip the handle as of now as I am about 2 grand out so far and existent handle looks good and I don't find it uncomfortable. I'd rather send money towards new music (there are few units to choose from that are direct fit)

[Joshdub]

FWIW, there is a OE aux cable that you can add. That is what I did for my nav unit.