SMG Compression Spring without dropping transmission

[OEMaddict]

Was wondering if anyone has had luck removing blind plug that houses the dreaded compression spring, without dropping the transmission, and if so, how to pull it out with limited space. The only DIY I know of is lost on the M3Forum.

[mrgizmo04]

The blind plug that is toward the backside of the tranny on the driver side? Part #5 here?

https://www.realoem.com/bmw/enUS/showparts?id=BL93-USA-07-2005-E46-BMW-M3&diagId=23_0956

Needle nose pliers, screwdrivers, etc.

See if any of these docs help you out.

https://drive.google.com/folderview?id=1s3VPActeXuUzeJHCQn_8RDPvEcG9zCaP

Sent from my SM-G950U using Tapatalk

[WOLFN8TR]

One of those springs was updated to a stronger version, see the photos below.

I copied this from a spring detent post on the old M3Forum.

S6S420G INNER GEAR SHIFTING PARTS
Sequential M transmission Drivelogic
S793A=Yes

01 Repair kit, locking 1 23317506947 $124.60
02 Hex bolt M6X18 2 23317545769 $0.67
03 WAVE WASHER B6 2 23317545770 $0.78
04 Cap 1 23211222729 $6.75
05 Blind plug 1 23317545771 $6.03
06 Compression spring D=1,25 1 23311228397 $1.67
07 Locking pin 1 23311282539 $17.09
08 Locking device 1 23317530787 $27.06
09 Compression spring 1 23311228405 $2.75
10 Ball D=8MM III 1 07119986280 $0.66

I inserted my pickup tool and pulled out the locking pin and compression spring together. Quickly grabbed the new parts: 23311228397 (spring) and 23311282539 (locking pin) inserted the new spring into the locking pin, and put the roller side in first. This will be apparent when you are looking at the parts, it is kind of confusing looking at the diagrams.

I only replaced 1 spring when I did this and it was the one behind the pressed in plug. If you click the Part Number for item #6 (23311228397) you will see that the part was superseded by 23317511337, which is the same part number as item #9.

http://www.realoem.com/bmw/enUS/show...diagId=23_0887

[headlock]

it's a real pain in the ass, i tried it and didn't manage to get it done without the transmission off the car. I know that it is possible but it's a lot of messing around and swearing. With the trans off the car it was easy as (spring was good it turns out).

[OEMaddict]

Thanks for the help everyone. headlock, what were your symptoms that made you drop transmission?

[Irhase46m3]

I don't think its possible to replace all springs without dropping the transmission, even if you try to pivot, there is not enough clearance to reach the top springs. I've had to drop the transmission a few times and replaced the springs as preventative measure (along with a bunch of other things) - Typically the symptoms for a broken spring are delayed shifting in gear pairs (1 - 3 - 5) (2 - 4 - 6) - The delay comes due to the system needing to recalculate rod travel time within the transmission, the springs act as a resistance to hold transmission internal rails that each gear has hence if broken there is no resistance and it moves freely through rail.

Hope this sheds some light to your problem.

[Mspir3d]

Loosen the engine mounts, radiator shroud and remove the plastic valve cover trim. Then you can take the sec 2 exhaust section down and drop the transmission brace. This allows you to angle the transmission down for extra room. Getting it out isnt bad but putting the plug back in is difficult.

[OEMaddict]

I don't think its possible to replace all springs without dropping the transmission, even if you try to pivot, there is not enough clearance to reach the top springs. I've had to drop the transmission a few times and replaced the springs as preventative measure (along with a bunch of other things) - Typically the symptoms for a broken spring are delayed shifting in gear pairs (1 - 3 - 5) (2 - 4 - 6) - The delay comes due to the system needing to recalculate rod travel time within the transmission, the springs act as a resistance to hold transmission internal rails that each gear has hence if broken there is no resistance and it moves freely through rail.

Hope this sheds some light to your problem.

My current symptoms is delayed shifting at high RPM or high throttle regardless of gear (2-6), and when I scanned for codes I got something like Gear Not Changable / Gear cannot be engaged... when I try to adapt SMG it says "the shift path end positions for odd gears are too different"... so that's why I thought it led to the spring, and hopefully not the GPS.

[Irhase46m3]

My current symptoms is delayed shifting at high RPM or high throttle regardless of gear (2-6), and when I scanned for codes I got something like Gear Not Changable / Gear cannot be engaged... when I try to adapt SMG it says "the shift path end positions for odd gears are too different"... so that's why I thought it led to the spring, and hopefully not the GPS.

Interesting, i guess it is possible for multiple springs to be broken, my suggestion to you is to drop the transmission and deal with multiple service items so you do it once, the gps can be replaced with out the need of dropping the transmission. Unfortunately both faulty GPS and broken springs have similar symptoms. I wish i could offer more insight- if you do plan on dropping the transmission i could make a list of key replacement parts if it helps in any way

[OEMaddict]

Interesting, i guess it is possible for multiple springs to be broken, my suggestion to you is to drop the transmission and deal with multiple service items so you do it once, the gps can be replaced with out the need of dropping the transmission. Unfortunately both faulty GPS and broken springs have similar symptoms. I wish i could offer more insight- if you do plan on dropping the transmission i could make a list of key replacement parts if it helps in any way

Thanks, I appreciate it. So far I'm most likely going to do clutch (maybe flywheel? it's been 120k miles) and RMS - already bought a remanufactured driveshaft and giubo, also got some exhaust gaskets and transmission mounts.

[Irhase46m3]

Yes, i suggest replacing the flywheel and clutch at the same time, also include the rear main seal, for the rear main use OEM BMW part. Here you go, this is my suggestion from experience the most critical parts, hope this helps.

You need two of these, one goes on the transmission end and other on the SMG actuator, it tends to leak SMG fluid on the actuator side.




23127501582 X2 – Shift rod seal on transmission & SMG actuator
Location on Actuator side:





Please note the angle lock pin goes in when replacing




23311282539 x1




Replace inputshaft & output shaft seal



23121228493 x1 (in)
23121222769 x1 (out)




Replace throwout bearing and fork pin
Replace throwout bearing with OEM BMW part!



21511223582 x1 (bearing)
013236ECS01A x1 (bronze pin from ECS Tunning)
21511223302 x1 Clutch fork

[Icecream]

Was wondering if anyone has had luck removing blind plug that houses the dreaded compression spring, without dropping the transmission, and if so, how to pull it out with limited space. The only DIY I know of is lost on the M3Forum.

Just did this on mine so thought I would share my experience:
First off my car was missing shifts, skipping, then going back to all gears but slow/delayed then just dropping out of gear. Not very consistent with anything I have seen reported so it goes without saying none of my springs were broken and GPS was replaced once before Hate this damn car lol.
Second, it is not nearly as difficult to take out the plug if you know where to pry from and what specific tools to use. The mental block is much worse than the actual job.

Okay so I did it without removing the transmission, I had a variety pry tool s and screw drivers but the below tool was the magic bullet.


Release all the hydrolines from the plastic clips and remove the one held on by a nut at the top of the transmission so the line can flex and stick this in at about a 5-6 O'clock position and wedge it under the plug. Now get your hammer and start tapping. After it starts coming out, remove the GPS Sensor (probably optional but it takes two seconds and gives much more room) and get a long screw driver (I think I used a 10" x 3/8 flat head) and wedge it in from above the actuator. Get the tip wedged under the plug and lip and pry away. A couple tries alternating the two tools and it comes right off.

Finally, to remove the pins, springs and balls - just grab a strong magnet (I used the one I bought for vanos solenoid cleaning) and put it against the holes, sucks em right out.

As for the top spring, not sure if I can do that. Gonna try right now and pray to the car gods that it is broken - otherwise I'm boned.

Edit: You can get to all of them without dropping the transmission, just make sure you have a ratcheting 10mm or you'll be there a while. Turns out it was the top springs for me. I am the luckiest person in the world to have caught them. When I took the bolts out the plate would not come off, so I went to grab a screw driver and the plate shot off and the springs flew out. Lucky I found them easy and they looked good so I reinstalled quickly out of frustration. Then when I was cleaning up I grabbed those big magnets and sure enough just 2 little coils of thin spring were stuck to it. I would have never seen it had it not been for the magnets being in the right place, still can't believe I caught it. I would have chased my tail around for months and probably parted the car out if I didn't catch that. Gonna take it apart tomorrow again to verify but it can't be anything else.

[OEMaddict]

Just did this on mine so thought I would share my experience:
First off my car was missing shifts, skipping, then going back to all gears but slow/delayed then just dropping out of gear. Not very consistent with anything I have seen reported so it goes without saying none of my springs were broken and GPS was replaced once before Hate this damn car lol.
Second, it is not nearly as difficult to take out the plug if you know where to pry from and what specific tools to use. The mental block is much worse than the actual job.

Okay so I did it without removing the transmission, I had a variety pry tool s and screw drivers but the below tool was the magic bullet.


Release all the hydrolines from the plastic clips and remove the one held on by a nut at the top of the transmission so the line can flex and stick this in at about a 5-6 O'clock position and wedge it under the plug. Now get your hammer and start tapping. After it starts coming out, remove the GPS Sensor (probably optional but it takes two seconds and gives much more room) and get a long screw driver (I think I used a 10" x 3/8 flat head) and wedge it in from above the actuator. Get the tip wedged under the plug and lip and pry away. A couple tries alternating the two tools and it comes right off.

Finally, to remove the pins, springs and balls - just grab a strong magnet (I used the one I bought for vanos solenoid cleaning) and put it against the holes, sucks em right out.

As for the top spring, not sure if I can do that. Gonna try right now and pray to the car gods that it is broken - otherwise I'm boned.

Edit: You can get to all of them without dropping the transmission, just make sure you have a ratcheting 10mm or you'll be there a while. Turns out it was the top springs for me. I am the luckiest person in the world to have caught them. When I took the bolts out the plate would not come off, so I went to grab a screw driver and the plate shot off and the springs flew out. Lucky I found them easy and they looked good so I reinstalled quickly out of frustration. Then when I was cleaning up I grabbed those big magnets and sure enough just 2 little coils of thin spring were stuck to it. I would have never seen it had it not been for the magnets being in the right place, still can't believe I caught it. I would have chased my tail around for months and probably parted the car out if I didn't catch that. Gonna take it apart tomorrow again to verify but it can't be anything else.

Sorry I never responded to the thread I started lol. My issue was absolutely the compression spring, broke into three. Did drop the transmission, replaced clutch, flywheel, RMS, etc. and replaced two springs even though one was broken. It was too much work for me to even try getting done so I got it done for a very, very reasonable price.

[Checkabs]

Hey guys,

Got the dreaded SMG light and car only has R, 2nd & 5th.

Replaced the GPS with 2 different used units and still getting the shift gate mid position can not be found.

I remember looking at the detent springs when I did the clutch in 2019 and I can’t remember which one I replaced. Apparently they are different sizes and I ordered the 2 of the same springs.

I decided to blindly get the spring out and to my surprise, it’s now out. Does not appear broken, but is it the skinny long one? Is it possible that it’s worn?

Any other thoughts on what it could be?

[OEMaddict]

Hey guys,

Got the dreaded SMG light and car only has R, 2nd & 5th.

Replaced the GPS with 2 different used units and still getting the shift gate mid position can not be found.

I remember looking at the detent springs when I did the clutch in 2019 and I can’t remember which one I replaced. Apparently they are different sizes and I ordered the 2 of the same springs.

I decided to blindly get the spring out and to my surprise, it’s now out. Does not appear broken, but is it the skinny long one? Is it possible that it’s worn?

Any other thoughts on what it could be?

Doesn't look broken to me. Strange that GPS did not fix your problem, that sounds much more like GPS than compression spring. You get your problem fixed?