transmission cover?

[TiesTorN]

I recently bought this part (#19, part number 51718158270)

https://www.realoem.com/bmw/enUS/sho...diagId=51_2427

how is this thing supposed to be installed? I tried but couldn't do it. anyone have a picture or something?

[Toby B]

Well. with #8 and #18, of course!

It's been a while, but I seem to recall that some of the fasteners
stay with the cover, and are 1/4 turn, and others are just coarse threaded
screws that run up into captive spring nuts in the body.
You should see holes for it...

I am guilty of using tie wraps once the covers get beat up (and they inevitably do...)

t

[TiesTorN]

Well. with #8 and #18, of course!

hmm... do I really need #18 ?

I bought 10 pieces of #8 and I also bought #20 (both of them)

cover itself came with all the screws on it (#10)

I never had that undercover on my car. the previous owner probably didn't notice when it went missing... maybe it was stolen in a shop? dunno, anyway.

I have no clue how to install it tried holding it under the transmission to take a gander but couldn't see where it was supposed to be screwed.

BTW, this is the correct part for my car, right? can anyone who has a transmission cover confirm?

[crdiscoverer]

As far as I understand, not all E39s have the necessary mounting points for that cover and it was not something they all came with from the factory. Some E39s were originally sold with only the side and front plastic covers, that's it.

I'm in the process of reassembling all the missing/damaged underbody panels and the trans cover is the only thing I still haven't bought. I'm deciding if it's worth it especially since it will just mask oil leaks and become a pain when doing routine maintenance. I know there is a separate trap door, but still.

Also, here's this bimmerfest thread with a TON of info (and pictures on page 2): https://www.bimmerfest.com/threads/m...-panel.392391/

[TiesTorN]

I'm deciding if it's worth it especially since it will just mask oil leaks and become a pain when doing routine maintenance.

I mainly want it for noise insulation purposes. I think it's worth it for that. I also coated those noise insulation foams that are on it with something like a black goo to strengthen them. now if only I could install it...

[BMW540san]

I mainly want it for noise insulation purposes. I think it's worth it for that. I also coated those noise insulation foams that are on it with something like a black goo to strengthen them. now if only I could install it...

I've messed with these a lot in last 20 years.
Can you post a picture of your car underneath and the actual cover you bought staged under?
It may give us an idea and maybe see something you don't.
Is your 540 manual or Auto?
Real oem shows different covers, I think because of different bracket routing for different tranny style.

- - - Updated - - -

Also, do you have #20 and #21 installed on a car?
IIRC, the rear of cover bolts to these brackets.

[TiesTorN]

Is your 540 manual or Auto?
Real oem shows different covers, I think because of different bracket routing for different tranny style.

- - - Updated - - -

Also, do you have #20 and #21 installed on a car?
IIRC, the rear of cover bolts to these brackets.

it's an auto.

as I said earlier I bought both #20s, I don't have them on the car. I also don't have #21 and didn't buy it. should I ?

I can take a pic next time I lift the car, dunno when that would happen.

[crdiscoverer]

I think you may also need #26, which is two different parts, left and right and have some extra holes which I suppose are for that trans cover. I may be wrong, though.

[TiesTorN]

AFAIK #26 attaches to fender liners, nothing to do with the trans cover. but I'm not 100% sure either.

I wonder why there is no explanation about these stuff in service manuals... sigh.

[TiesTorN]

(still haven't lifted the car)

this part is really a mystery. there is absolutely no information whatsoever on anywhere. trying to collect some info before using a lift but it's just impossible.

[wayneawh]

I bought #19 before along with the 2 metal brackets… same 540i auto. When I jacked up the car and tried to install the cover and brackets, there was absolutely no space or mounting points for the bracket and cover. The shape doesn’t even remotely match the car. I just accepted the fact that I wasted $250 for nothing

[TiesTorN]

I bought #19 before along with the 2 metal brackets… same 540i auto. When I jacked up the car and tried to install the cover and brackets, there was absolutely no space or mounting points for the bracket and cover. The shape doesn’t even remotely match the car. I just accepted the fact that I wasted $250 for nothing

I'm also starting to think that... funny thing is this part is shown as compatible with 540i auto on all the websites. shape of the part looks like it's for i6 engines though, having only 1 heat shield on the side.