2001 4.4 replacement trans, no reverse? Update, Fixed and driving!

[RToth]

More work done!

I reassembled the trans I had installed and taken apart, we will call this one trans #2, with the original trans being trans #1. I wanted to get all the pieces back together in #2 before I started on anything else and got pieces mixed up.

The reassembly went pretty well, it was a little tricky for some parts but not too terrible. Upon further inspection of this transmission though, I found out that I was wrong in my earlier post stating that the radial bearing that is prone to failure was ok, I was looking at the completely wrong bearing. After looking at the actual bearing that goes bad, this one had some pitting as well and won't be good to reuse, a new one will be ordered.

Once I had transmission #2 reassembled I drained Trans #1 and started disassembly, didn't get too far though and it was time to come in for dinner and take the boys to scouts.

Transmission #2, you can see that once I actually look at the right bearing it is in fact junk This trans had forward gears without issue but no reverse and I found the cause with the trashed F clutch piston in my previous posts.






On to Transmission #1! This was the transmission that was in it when I bought it, it would lose forward gears defaulting to 5th once warm which after much research led me to believe that the same radial bearing had failed allowing the hubs to move too much and split the O ring on the back of the hub. Bingo!!!

Clearly, the bearing had some major failure.


Approximately 1/3 of the rollers were missing and the rest were severely pitted.


Lots of rubbing going on here as a result of too much movement from the bad bearing.


Fantastic! I found some of the missing rollers


More rubbing!


And of course we wouldn't be complete without a ripped O ring.






Another thing I realized after looking into it further, RPhil had posted that after xxxxxx serial number these transmissions came with the updated better A clutch drum. Transmission #2 does in fact have the updated clutch drum as the serial number shows it was built after they were factory installed, not because it has been rebuilt and the updated drum installed. Along those same lines though, it does seem that transmission #1 does have the aftermarket heavy duty A clutch drum, at least it seems that way anyway from the pictures I have seen.


The drum on top is what I believe to be the aftermarket HD piece from transmission #1, the drum on bottom is the updated drum from transmission #2 which I now believe was factory installed due to the serial number.

If I am correct in my thoughts on this, is there any long term durability advantage to either drum?

[upallnight]

Originally Posted by RToth

More work done!

I reassembled the trans I had installed and taken apart, we will call this one trans #2, with the original trans being trans #1. I wanted to get all the pieces back together in #2 before I started on anything else and got pieces mixed up.

The reassembly went pretty well, it was a little tricky for some parts but not too terrible. Upon further inspection of this transmission though, I found out that I was wrong in my earlier post stating that the radial bearing that is prone to failure was ok, I was looking at the completely wrong bearing. After looking at the actual bearing that goes bad, this one had some pitting as well and won't be good to reuse, a new one will be ordered.

Once I had transmission #2 reassembled I drained Trans #1 and started disassembly, didn't get too far though and it was time to come in for dinner and take the boys to scouts.

Transmission #2, you can see that once I actually look at the right bearing it is in fact junk This trans had forward gears without issue but no reverse and I found the cause with the trashed F clutch piston in my previous posts.






On to Transmission #1! This was the transmission that was in it when I bought it, it would lose forward gears defaulting to 5th once warm which after much research led me to believe that the same radial bearing had failed allowing the hubs to move too much and split the O ring on the back of the hub. Bingo!!!

Clearly, the bearing had some major failure.


Approximately 1/3 of the rollers were missing and the rest were severely pitted.


Lots of rubbing going on here as a result of too much movement from the bad bearing.


Fantastic! I found some of the missing rollers


More rubbing!


And of course we wouldn't be complete without a ripped O ring.






Another thing I realized after looking into it further, RPhil had posted that after xxxxxx serial number these transmissions came with the updated better A clutch drum. Transmission #2 does in fact have the updated clutch drum as the serial number shows it was built after they were factory installed, not because it has been rebuilt and the updated drum installed. Along those same lines though, it does seem that transmission #1 does have the aftermarket heavy duty A clutch drum, at least it seems that way anyway from the pictures I have seen.


The drum on top is what I believe to be the aftermarket HD piece from transmission #1, the drum on bottom is the updated drum from transmission #2 which I now believe was factory installed due to the serial number.

If I am correct in my thoughts on this, is there any long term durability advantage to either drum?

As you can clearly see, the A drum from trans 1 is a lot beefier. This design was used to address the issue of the drum cracking at the snap ring. The drum from trans 2 may be an updated drum, but it is still designed based on the design of the original drum. What was change was probably the thickness of metal where the snap ring sits in. If it was my truck, I would use the beefier A drum from trans 1. Now that you know what caused the trans 1 to go into limp mode (bad roller bearing as well as broken o-ring, I would just rebuild that trans and use that for the X. After all nothing like having matching numbers for all components.

Here's a video on the updated A drum sold by Cascade Trans.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7M9pgm4cgE0

You should also install a new pressure regulator valve if that is the reason for why the original A drum was replaced.

Here's a video on what to replace after an A drum failure.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UpG91-ZzYY8

[80stech]

Is that a crack on the input shaft ?

[RToth]

No crack on the input shaft, just the way the light is shining on it, thanks for point that out though as I would have missed it if it was!

I will be using the HD drum for this transmission. I finished the teardown last night and everything else looks perfect, the F piston looks brand new so I was happy about that. I ordered the bearing from Cascade Transmission last night and have received notification from them that they are out of stock and it will be another week or so before they get some in, I may have to cancel and source one somewhere else as I do not wish to be under this thing in below freezing temperatures putting it all back together.

[RRPhil]

I do very occasionally see 5HP24 A-clutch drum failures, even with the new stiffened drum and the ‘10mm’ main pressure relief valve fitted, but these are quite rare so I personally don’t resort to fitting aftermarket drums like the one in your photo.







It’s important to separate the cage from the raceway of each axial needle roller bearing (use something plastic to prise the cage off – and it only fits back again one way) to check that the raceway isn’t spalling underneath, where otherwise you wouldn’t see it.



I’d also strongly recommend that you check the input shaft endfloat following the rebuild (should be between 0.2 & 0.4mm), fitting a thicker shim if necessary, as the B clutch hub often wears underneath the bearing race.







Phil

[upallnight]

Originally Posted by RToth

No crack on the input shaft, just the way the light is shining on it, thanks for point that out though as I would have missed it if it was!

I will be using the HD drum for this transmission. I finished the teardown last night and everything else looks perfect, the F piston looks brand new so I was happy about that. I ordered the bearing from Cascade Transmission last night and have received notification from them that they are out of stock and it will be another week or so before they get some in, I may have to cancel and source one somewhere else as I do not wish to be under this thing in below freezing temperatures putting it all back together.

Try Ericksson Industries.

Eriksson Industries

[RToth]

Well, time for an update here.

To make a long story short, the guy that sold me the transmission flat out ripped me off, no way around it. He repeatedly told me time after time that it was tested, verified as working good, but the story changed many times as to how it was tested and who tested it. I asked for a partial refund of $350 and was offered $250 which I felt was an insult and stuck to my guns. I was ignored for two weeks, posted the whole story in the Michigan BMW group on facebook and it blew up spreading to several other groups where I found out that this kid has a TERRIBLE reputation for ripping people off, running his mouth, and just in general being a giant douche bag. I ended up getting no refund at all because I refused to take down the post and my review on his shop, I don't want anyone else to ever get ripped off like I did, if I can save someone else some money and wasted time it's worth it to me. Metro Motors in Mt. Clemens Michigan is the shop you want to avoid like the plague!

SO... with that out of the way, I ordered the bearing from Cascade transmission as stated above and when it finally got in stock they shipped it out and it got lost in the mail for almost a week. The bearing arrived at my house a couple days ago and it has been far too cold and I have been far too busy to work on assembling it. The time will come, but right now I have a lot to do so it will wait and the 540i will continue to do winter duty.

[80stech]

Thanks for all the picks and info! Great thread! You gotta hate the rip-off part though, that kinda thing drives me nuts! Good for you for posting the heads up

[RToth]

I have had the transmission all reassembled for several weeks now but finally with the nice weather here in Michigan this last weekend I was able to get it all back together. I have roughly 150 miles so far on the rebuild and I can tell you that this is very quickly becoming one of my favorite vehicles that I have ever owned! It very much reminds me of the power and handling of my 540i but in a package like our Acadia yet much more nimble.

[williamx5]

Originally Posted by RToth

I have had the transmission all reassembled for several weeks now but finally with the nice weather here in Michigan this last weekend I was able to get it all back together. I have roughly 150 miles so far on the rebuild and I can tell you that this is very quickly becoming one of my favorite vehicles that I have ever owned! It very much reminds me of the power and handling of my 540i but in a package like our Acadia yet much more nimble.

Great job!!

I couldn't agree with you more!! I got my 4.6is with a bad front drive shaft (aftermarket jobber with the extended splines; that failed without damaging the TC splines!! Goes to show the upgrades aren't worth it sometimes)... I used the original TC and a used OEM front driveshaft... Made sure the splines were greased and the dust cap was secure and made a good seal... After driving it a week, it quickly replaced my life long love (2001 540i/6) despite the X having the automatic trans...

Again!! Very nice job and thanks so much for sharing!!

Cheers!!