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nicky3
New User
Jan 4, 2014, 6:15 AM
Post #1 of 3
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What should I do?
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Hello all newbie here. I have a 96 BMW 328is with a ZF manual tranny that I just removed from vehicle and did a shift pin service on. My problem/issue is that while removing the bushing on the 5th gear pin, I mangled it up pretty good and some small metal shards fell into the tranny. I was able to stick a magnet down the hole and I think I got most of it. I'm not satisfied with that. Being that the tranny is out of the car should I do a couple of fills and flushes to be sure? Also, should I turn the shaft by hand to try to knock any metal loose? I'm trying to avoid opening the case. Thanks
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nickwarner
Veteran
/ Moderator
Jan 4, 2014, 7:29 AM
Post #2 of 3
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Re: What should I do?
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You can certainly try all of that. Drain plug likely has a magnet on it too. Can you take the drain plug out and fish in there with your magnet to hunt for pieces? Do you know for sure how big these pieces are and how many of them dropped in? You could lay out the pieces you do have as something of a reference to how much more material is still in there. I can see why you are trying to avoid opening up the case. Spinning by hand isn't a bad idea either. If you feel a binding up, your hand isn't strong enough to break the gears.
Try also looking at tool rental places for a borescope. You might even know someone like a cable guy, electrician, etc. who owns one as they use them to look inside of walls. That would let you get past the mainshaft and countershaft to look for pieces. Ones designed for techs usually have a magnet adapter so you can get pieces as you find them.
Another thought that comes to mind is if you can't get ahold of a scope you could pay a few bucks to a shop that does to have a look in there. You would want to make it clear that this isn't something you will hold them liable for if something goes wrong with the trans or they likely won't touch it. You're looking for a privately owned small to medium sized shop that would do this without a write-up for cash. I've had odd requests for small things before like that and usually took care of it for $50 or less.
If you do the fill and drain idea, fill it all the way up to catch parts higher up in the case. Some guys might object to this next idea, but I would use diesel fuel. It is somewhat of a cleaner, way cheaper than gear lube in those quantities and flows easier. You want kind of a washing effect to get this stuff out. Drain it into a clean pan through a few layers of cheesecloth or other type of filter, maybe even a shop rag so you can see what came out of it in the flush. If you use diesel, you need to make sure you drain it all out very well, moving the trans at different angles to prevent pockets and dips in the case from trapping some of it that later mixes with the gear oil.
I'm glad you aren't ignoring this. You are right to get those pieces out. Next time you go to do something along this line, it does help to try to get some rags and a small magnet laying below the bushings to catch pieces like that.
Let me know how it comes out.
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nicky3
New User
Jan 4, 2014, 8:54 AM
Post #3 of 3
(1429 views)
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Re: What should I do?
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Thanks for your prompt response! Much appreciated. The pieces, if any are still left in there, are very tiny. I fished out some pieces with a magnet before installing the new shift pins. I just want to error on the side of caution because I really don't want to remove the tranny again. I'm going to take your advice and fill the case up as high as I can with ATF (that's what it calls for) and turn the shaft by hand to try to flush any remaining bits left. I'll strain the fluid and then go at it a couple of more times. I will also place a much more powerful magnet on the bolt to try and capture what I can. After that I will refill and take my chances.
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