M30/535i auto trans. engine & tranny mounts

[Unregistered]

Best techniques for replacing engine and tranny mounts? (It seems straitforward, but I thought it best to ask for suggestions.)

For example, on tranny mounts, is it easier to unbolt the cross-member under the rear of the tranny, then undo the mounts? Or is it easier to just loosen the nuts, jack up the engine/tranny, slip out old mounts and slip in new ones, etc.?

[Trevor]

I hate to tell you but to replace tranny mounts involves either removing the full exhaust system or at least lowering it considerably. Easier if you have a hoist but can be done on axle stands.
You need to lower/remove the exhaust to access the trans mount bolts. Once you have access to these it's quote staightforward.

[Unregistered]

Really?

Not hearing any suggestions to that time, on Sunday I simply put a floor jack and piece of wood under the tranny, jacked it slightly, reached up and unscrewed the 4 mounting bolts on the dogbone-shaped crossmember and the 4 end nuts on the old rubber mounts, and removed them. Slipped in new mounts, dabbed Loctite on all threads, and re-installed bolts and nuts. ~15 minute procedure on 1990 535i with automatic transmission. Required no involvement with the exhaust whatever, other than having to reach around it for access to the rubber mounts' nuts.

[632 Regal]

well done! sometimes its better to just dive in I guess

[Unregistered]

Actually, I should confess that I got my kid to do it:

In driveway, raised the car enough to crawl under, unbolted dogbone crossmember (4 bolts), used ~3" extension on socket wrench to loosen upper rubber mount nuts by reaching over driveshaft, then assy. drops off. Install new rubber mounts in reverse order.

It's a slim fit between driveshaft and tunnel sites, so the kid's skinny arm works best.