Changing Flywheel on BMW?

[M Fanatic]

How hard is it to replace the flywheel on a 2001 525i BMW with an automatice transmision?

[ucantcme]

The book time is around 7.0 hours and that is for an experience mechanic plus it is very complicated and time consuming to do.

These are the instructions for the transmission removal just in case.

Remove or disconnect the following:

Negative battery cable.

Throttle cable adjusting nuts, release the cable tension and disconnect the cable at the throttle lever. Then, remove and retain the nuts and pull the cable housing out of the bracket.

Exhaust system at the manifold and hangers and lower it aside

Hanger that runs across under the driveshaft

Exhaust heat shield from under the center of the vehicle

Transmission oil

Oil filler neck

Oil cooler lines at the transmission by removing the flare nuts and plug the open connections

Support the transmission.

Separate the torque converter housing from the transmission by removing the Torx bolts with the proper tool, then remove the bolts from underneath.

Retain the washers used with the Torx bolts.

Bolts attaching the torque converter housing to the engine, making sure to retain the spacer used behind one of the bolts.

Then, loosen the mounting bolts for the oil level switch just enough so the plate can be removed while pushing the switch mounting bracket to one side.

Bolts attaching the torque converter to the driveplate. Turn the flywheel as necessary to gain access to each of the bolts. Be sure to re-use the same bolts and retain the washers.

Speed and reference mark sensors.

 Remove the attaching bolt for each and remove each sensor.

Bayonet type electrical connector, turning it counterclockwise, then pull the plug out of the socket.

Then, lift the wiring harness out of the harness bails

Crossmember that supports the transmission at the rear

Transmission shift rod.

Then, remove the nuts, then the through-bolts from the damper-type U-joint at the front of the transmission.

Transmission locking ring at the center mount, if equipped, using a suitable tool.

Then, remove the bolts and remove the center mount. Bend the driveshaft downward and pull it off the centering pin. Suspend it from the underside of the vehicle.

Lower the transmission as far as possible.

Then, remove all the Torx or standard type bolts attaching the transmission to the engine.

Remove the small grill from the bottom of the transmission.

 Then, press the converter off with a large prytool passing through this opening while sliding the transmission out.