1998 740i tranny probs???? need help!!!!

[onewheelriderzx9]

i bought a 1998 740i in perfect shape with 98K miles on it. One problem win i put it in reverse it slips, drive and every other gear works it just slips in reverse. I cant find a set of clutches for the tranny, does that mean i need a new tranny if so where is the best place to buy one??

thanks john

[NeilH]

There's no way the transmission will be shot on a '98 740 with that many miles. I suspect you have a later tranny that should have been recalled for transmission ring-gear wear - this problem affected late 98 and 99 cars.

Check to see if the previous owners had recall 99V005 carried out and if not, you can just take it to your BMW dealer who will fix it for nothing.

Hopefully that's your problem, otherwise it's going to be horrifically expensive - the best place to get a new tranny would be from a written-off model at a breaker's yard; if you get BMW to do it, you're probably looking at paying half what you paid for the car

[onewheelriderzx9]

Originally Posted by NeilH

There's no way the transmission will be shot on a '98 740 with that many miles. I suspect you have a later tranny that should have been recalled for transmission ring-gear wear - this problem affected late 98 and 99 cars.

Check to see if the previous owners had recall 99V005 carried out and if not, you can just take it to your BMW dealer who will fix it for nothing.

Hopefully that's your problem, otherwise it's going to be horrifically expensive - the best place to get a new tranny would be from a written-off model at a breaker's yard; if you get BMW to do it, you're probably looking at paying half what you paid for the car

ey buddy thanks for the help but the dealer said there were no recalls on this vehicle, i gave him my vin # and he said there were no recalls on this particular car, i couldnt believe him. any way were do u think i could get a used tranny at?? u no any good garuntee salvage yard??

thanks john

[Dick Schneiders]

Only a *very* few of the 98 and 99 cars had this recall. It was a very short run of VIN's, because BMW corrected the problem quickly. If you actually read the recal notice you will see this.

My late 1999 740i didn't come under this recall as it was produced after the problem was rectified.

Originally Posted by NeilH

There's no way the transmission will be shot on a '98 740 with that many miles. I suspect you have a later tranny that should have been recalled for transmission ring-gear wear - this problem affected late 98 and 99 cars.

Check to see if the previous owners had recall 99V005 carried out and if not, you can just take it to your BMW dealer who will fix it for nothing.

Hopefully that's your problem, otherwise it's going to be horrifically expensive - the best place to get a new tranny would be from a written-off model at a breaker's yard; if you get BMW to do it, you're probably looking at paying half what you paid for the car

[NeilH]

I don't know what to suggest, then. I'm no mechanical expert but it couldn't hurt to replace the gearbox fluid and filter - that does sometimes cure slipping transmissions, but I can't see why it would only be reverse. I used to have a 2000 740iL, complete with DIY service manual, but unfortunately it's sold, along with the manual otherwise I'd be able to look it up for you.

As it's only one gear, rather than trash the transmission, you could get a specialist to give you a quote for fixing it - it's gotta be cheaper than the $8000 to $9000 it would cost you for someone to supply and fit a new 'box. Not a job for the newbie, that.

Or.... hope that one of the guys who really knows what he's talking about on this board has encountered the problem and gives you a quick fix involving a couple of matchsticks, some glue and a roll of felt

BTW - when you say it 'slips' - does the 'box' actually provide at least some power to the wheels or does nothing happen at all. If the latter, I might have some more ideas.

Good luck....

[onewheelriderzx9]

Originally Posted by NeilH

I don't know what to suggest, then. I'm no mechanical expert but it couldn't hurt to replace the gearbox fluid and filter - that does sometimes cure slipping transmissions, but I can't see why it would only be reverse. I used to have a 2000 740iL, complete with DIY service manual, but unfortunately it's sold, along with the manual otherwise I'd be able to look it up for you.

As it's only one gear, rather than trash the transmission, you could get a specialist to give you a quote for fixing it - it's gotta be cheaper than the $8000 to $9000 it would cost you for someone to supply and fit a new 'box. Not a job for the newbie, that.

Or.... hope that one of the guys who really knows what he's talking about on this board has encountered the problem and gives you a quick fix involving a couple of matchsticks, some glue and a roll of felt

BTW - when you say it 'slips' - does the 'box' actually provide at least some power to the wheels or does nothing happen at all. If the latter, I might have some more ideas.

Good luck....

well it turned out the transmission is going out so i just bought a used one with 80k on it for 1350 with a 1 yr warrenty, i stiil need tranny fluid and ill be set, does any1 no where i can get tranny fliud cheap??

thanks john