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E90/E91/E92/E93; N57 AWD; GS6-53DZ gearbox — BMW

E90/E91/E92/E93; N57 AWD; GS6-53DZ gearbox on BMW: 67 steps, engines N57D30A. What to remove, in what order, and what to check after.

Removing the GS6-53DZ manual gearbox from an all-wheel-drive E90, E91, E92 or E93 with the N57 diesel (325d, 330d) means dealing with the transfer box side as well as the usual exhaust and propeller shaft work. The exhaust pipes are disconnected from the manifold, the rear mounts and heat shields come off, and the propeller shaft is split at the transfer box and at the gearbox, with its middle support and bearing released. With the gearbox on a special tool and safety straps, the cross member comes out, the engine is held on a hoist, and the slave cylinder is unbolted without opening the hydraulics. Clean and grease the input shaft splines and check the centring dowels before the gearbox goes back.

67 steps 1 engine code

🧭 Before you start

Remove the lower cover, disconnect the exhaust from the manifold and its rear mounts, and remove the heat shields. Disconnect the propeller shaft from the transfer box and gearbox, then remove it with its middle support. Support gearbox and engine, remove the cross member and slave cylinder, disconnect the reversing light switch, Start-Stop plug, wiring and gear-shift parts, then remove the bolts and lower the gearbox. Refit in reverse with new bolts where specified.

Fits: platform codes 325D, |, 330D

  • Renewed: bolts gearbox support

Don't miss

  • Use safety straps on the gearbox support tool.
  • Leave the clutch hydraulic lines connected and secure the slave cylinder to the vehicle.
  • Use new bolts on the propeller shaft joints where specified.
  • Clean the input shaft splines and apply grease before refitting.
  • Gearbox-to-engine bolts differ between steel and aluminium; keep them identified for correct refitting.
  • Check the centring dowel pins or sleeves are still in place.

Written for this job from the workshop steps below · TorqFix editorial.

🔧 Engine codes this applies to

N57D30A

📐 30 workshop diagrams for N57D30A

Real factory drawings for this job — timing marks, bolt locations and routing. Locked in the free view.

E90/E91/E92/E93; N57 AWD; GS6-53DZ gearbox — N57D30A · diagram 1
E90/E91/E92/E93; N57 AWD; GS6-53DZ gearbox — N57D30A · diagram 2
E90/E91/E92/E93; N57 AWD; GS6-53DZ gearbox — N57D30A · diagram 3
E90/E91/E92/E93; N57 AWD; GS6-53DZ gearbox — N57D30A · diagram 4
E90/E91/E92/E93; N57 AWD; GS6-53DZ gearbox — N57D30A · diagram 5
E90/E91/E92/E93; N57 AWD; GS6-53DZ gearbox — N57D30A · diagram 6
E90/E91/E92/E93; N57 AWD; GS6-53DZ gearbox — N57D30A · diagram 7
E90/E91/E92/E93; N57 AWD; GS6-53DZ gearbox — N57D30A · diagram 8
+ 22 more diagrams
🔒 30 workshop diagrams for this job Ask about your BMW N57D30A — free or sign up free to see the drawings

📋 Procedure

  1. Installation is in the reverse order of removal
  2. Remove the engine lower cover
  3. Check that the dowel pins/sleeves for centering the engine/gearbox are still in place
  4. Exhaust pipe support
  5. Clean the gearbox input shaft splines
N57D30A? Steps differ between engine variants — check this job against your exact car before you commit to it. Check my car — free →
  1. Apply grease to the gearbox input shaft splines
  2. Disconnect the exhaust pipes from the manifold
  3. Disconnect the rear exhaust mounts
  4. Stage 2:
  5. Propeller shaft/differential
  6. Stage 1:
  7. Remove the heat shield(s)
  8. Disconnect the propeller shaft from the transfer box
  9. Note: Use new bolts
  10. Gearbox support:
  11. Remove the engine/gearbox lower attaching bolts
  12. Steel
  13. Aluminium
  14. Support the gearbox
  15. Use a special tool:
  16. Caution! Safety straps MUST be used
  17. Remove the cross member
  18. Disconnect the propeller shaft from the gearbox
  19. Remove the propeller shaft middle support
  20. Disconnect the propeller bearing
  21. Lower the propeller shaft
  22. Do not damage the rubber boot
  23. Remove the propeller shaft
  24. Use a hoist to support the engine
  25. Remove the clutch slave cylinder
  26. Note: Do not disconnect the hydraulic lines
  27. Secure to the vehicle
  28. Disconnect the reversing light switch
  29. Vehicles with Start and Stop system:
  30. Disconnect the plug
  31. Unclip the wiring from the gearbox
  32. All vehicles:
  33. Disconnect the gear-shift rod from the gearbox
  34. Remove the gear-shift control at the gearbox
  35. Remove the engine/gearbox attaching bolts
  36. Lower the gearbox slightly
  37. Remove the gearbox
Workshop diagrams

Ask TorqFix about your BMW N57D30A — it answers with the exact sequence for that engine and the workshop drawing for each step. First question is free after a 20-second sign-up, no card.

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TorqFix was built by a mechanic — after a 2,700 km drive with five roadside repairs that no diagnostic tool could explain.

The figures on this page come from manufacturer workshop documentation and are shown as they are. The page is assembled automatically from that data — it is not written by an AI. The AI works in the chat, where it answers for your specific car. It writes nothing here.

Variants of the same model differ. Cross-check torque against the factory manual for your engine before final tightening.

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Workshop data on this page last updated 20 Sep 2026.