| -- End Ad Box ---> | | | | Typically, the vehicle is working perfectly while driving |
| An automatic transmission is just that- automatic, | | | | forward but when it is put in reverse there is a |
| consequently most people tend to pay very little | | | | complete and permanent loss of movement to back |
| attention to it until a major problem rears its ugly head. | | | | up. |
| Picture the scenario- you are driving along in the lap of | | | | Reverse is typically a major feat for any transmission |
| luxury, the satellite radio blaring and the heated seats | | | | to accomplish- imagine the demands that are placed |
| on. You’ve become accustomed to the | | | | on a gearbox as it is asked to reverse the torque of |
| comfort level and great driving experience brought to | | | | your engine so that you can back up your nearly 4000 |
| you by BMW. | | | | pound vehicle. |
| You decide to stop at the local convenience store on | | | | By far, the most common cause of the reverse |
| your way home to grab some ice cream for the kids | | | | problem in BMW’s is the failure of the |
| and a bottle of water for yourself. Upon returning to | | | | D-G clutch drum. Specifically, the snap ring that |
| your car, you start it up, check your rear view mirror, | | | | retains the D or reverse clutch breaks out of the |
| put the shifter in reverse and then the unthinkable | | | | clutch drum resulting in an inability for the clutch pack to |
| happens- the engine just revs as if it is in neutral and | | | | apply. |
| the car goes nowhere! | | | | The good news is that there is hope in regards to a |
| This article deals with the reasons behind an | | | | proper repair. The factory has released an updated |
| unexpected loss of reverse in certain BMW automatic | | | | part that so far appears to be a permanent fix for this |
| transmission equipped vehicles, specifically the 3 series | | | | problem. |
| and 5 series vehicles that use the ZF5HP19 or | | | | In our testing and in conjunction with several hundred |
| steptronic transmission. This includes the popular | | | | successful repairs at our facilities, the new part seems |
| 323i, 323ci, 325i, 328i, 330i, 525i, 528i, 530i, X3 and X5 | | | | to be metallurgically superior in several ways. |
| models well as some others built in the 1999 to present | | | | We have found that there is an improved radius area |
| model years. | | | | as well as slightly thicker casting. In addition to this, the |
| To eliminate confusion, this doesn’t apply to | | | | grove that retains the snap ring is also relocated |
| vehicles equipped with the GM 5L40 E transmission, | | | | further away from the edge of the drum. |
| just the ones with the sometimes problematic | | | | With this issue addressed and attention to detail in |
| ZF5HP19. The 5L40 E has some issues of it’s | | | | several other areas of the ZF5HP19 unit, the |
| own that are beyond the scope of this article but are | | | | transmission can be repaired to better than new |
| certainly going to be the subject of another. | | | | condition by a competent transmission rebuilder / |
| The failure rate for these transmissions seems to be | | | | remanufacturer. In fact, when properly repaired, the ZF |
| very high and is expected to become much more of a | | | | gearbox becomes quite robust and can provide an |
| problem as time goes by. | | | | almost indefinite service life. |