222k Mile Transmission advice

[Sundevil]

Okay,
Jacked up the car (level) this weekend and went to work. Dropped the driveshaft and replaced the guibo, shaft support, and the entire cv joint at the rear differential. The car feels better now.
The bad is I went to top off the transmission fluid and the nut is kind of stripped. I think I might try and get one of these:

https://www.amazon.com/IRWIN-BOLT-GR...=Nut+extractor

And see if I can get it out. Does anyone have any luck or experience with these??
Also, I think I determined my leak is coming from the selector shaft seal. Has anyone replaced this part before?? From my research I think I need a special tool (BMW# 83 30 0 491 781) or might be able to get away with this:

https://www.amazon.com/Transmission-...ssion+selector

Any advice is much appreciated.

[oldskewel]

I have the Craftsman version of a similar set. Excellent tools, and yes, you should have a good chance of getting the bolt out.

Slight concern though ... the bolt is 17mm, but from the Amazon photo, it looks like the corresponding bolt-out is 11/16", which is about 17.46mm. I know that the way these tools work, it is not going to be a perfect fit, but if I were going to buy a special tool for this one job, I'd aim for something that is spec'ed for 17mm rather than 17.46mm. You might need every edge you can get.

And yes, you might want to buy a new bolt too.

Good that your plan was to top off rather than to drain first before checking on the refill bolt.

Here's that Craftsman set I've got:
Sears.com

[Sundevil]

Hi Oldskewel,

Thanks for pointing out the size issue. To be honest I just linked to a set before I read if it was metric or SAE. I was more curious if anyone had experience with that tool.

That nut also seems to be in there pretty good. Would shooting it with PB Blaster be a good idea, or do I risk contaminating the ATF?

[oldskewel]

I would not be worried about ATF contamination there.

On the SAE vs. metric size, what lots of sets do for things like this (where it's an imprecise size to start with since it's not really fitting on the screw head) is to make one set that is "close enough" for both SAE and metric. I think that Craftsman set I have has a piece that is supposed to be 17mm, but it also has one that is supposed to be 5/8"-16mm ("close enough"). Another nice thing about the Craftsman set is that it is impact worthy.

[bcredliner]

Even if you never expect to use the tool again it is always best practice to buy the good stuff.

[Sundevil]

I went to Ace Hardware and they had the Craftsman set on sale for $16, so I grabbed those. My next problem is figuring out the part# for the "selector shaft seal"

I think it is part 24 50 1 423 606

Does anyone know for sure?? I have researched, and a lot of people have this problem, but no one ever talks about the actual fix.

(I know BMW has a special tool to remove it, but I am trying to find the part# for the actual seal)

[bcredliner]

Should be able to verify part number here-- BMW Parts Catalog

[Sundevil]

I hit a huge wall. The shifter selector shaft seal (It has many names apparently) won’t come out. I have tried the special tool. I also tried getting two very small screws in it and pulling it out. I have resorted to trying to use a pick and get it pulled out. Nothing is working. Does anyone have any idea of how to get this out?!? I think part of my problem is that the transmission has 220k miles on it and I am in Phoenix where the heat just eats rubber and plastic.
The good news is this is definitely my leak, and I think I have been slowly seeping ATF for at least the last 10 months.
If anyone know of a trick or has any advice I would greatly appreciate it. I have been under this car for the last 3 nights trying to get this stupid seal out. Below are some pictures of what I am working with. The seal is right behind the front drive shaft and really tight working conditions.

[IMG][/IMG]


[/IMG]

[Scott ZHP]

Heavy duty angled tip pick would probably be my tool of choice. Mine is labeled as a "radiator hose pick"; it has a full size handle. I assume there's not enough room to try a traditional seal puller.

[oldskewel]

I don't know if you're beyond the point of no return on that selector shaft seal. But if you can just back out of that challenge and make it a point to monitor ATF level, that's a viable option, assuming the leak rate is low enough.