Gearbox Output Flange Removal

[Nourish]

I can't get the output flange off my gearbox.
I first made up a plate to fit over the flange and used a 3 legged puller on that - tapping it with a lump hammer- no joy.
I've heated up the flange, I've heated up the flange and quenched it, left it under tension fo a qouple of days - no joy.
So I've machined up a copy of the bmw tool (Thank you Jorg - http://jhau.maliwi.de/mot/gear BMWTransOutputPuller.pdf)
and using an old fork stanchion and a long knuckle bar - no joy - how do I get the bloody thing off?

[Kurt in S.A.]

This is a mo-fo to get off. I've seen at least two people needed to remove the flange at the recent MOA National rally. Matt Parkhouse was nearly stumped...and he's done hundreds of these. It's on with some serious torque...over 150 ft-lbs. Hopefully the PO didn't use Loctite red on it.

Using that tool from Jorg's site, I recall they thumped the center stud to add some shock to it.

Kurt in S.A.

[Nourish]

Yes - have been hitting it

[Duane Ausherman]

It may sound like a 30-06 when it comes free. Yes, they can be very hard to remove.

[ME 109]

Heating and quenching should nicely shrink fit the output flange to the output shaft.

Difficult to heat the flange with the tool in the way, but every bit helps. Pointless heating the flange and then trying to bolt up the tool.

Did you use a fine thread for the removal tool's centre hole? I think a fine thread will allow a lot more pressure to be applied?

[Duane Ausherman]

Thanks ME 109, I meant to warn against the quenching, but forgot and hit Submit too soon.

[Ray from Indiana]

I was able get mine off using two lengths of pipe, 1'dia x 4ft long.
One pipe on the bar for the "bmw" tool and one against my chest, pulling the one with the bar toward me. Chest was sore for a few days after but it popped off and put a slight bend in that ~5/8" dia bar...but I straightened out before returning to my friend. But I didn't have any help. If you can have another guy help you it would be safer.

[ME 109]

Thunderbirds are GO!

Got an electric heat gun to heat the cover plate? This method of heating is quite OK.

[chasbmw]

Nourish,

A quick plug for the UK BMW club, the club has almost all BMW special tools available to hire for a nominal sum (£5) tomembers and the guy who runs the scheme is very helpful.

I find that my club fees is just about covered by the discount I get from the insurance company for being a member of the club and the western section has negotiated various discounts from local supplier including a 10% discount from Pro Tyre in Bristol. Win win in my book.

We are looking for members to join the join the vintage and classic register, that all BMWs over 25 years old.

Hope to see you in Bristol

[jagarra]

You may have to take it to a shop that has a press remove.
You mentioned you made a plate to go on the back of the flange, do you also have a small hydraulic bottle type jack. If you threads the plate and made a base plate to go on the bottom of the jack, also threaded and used large threaded rod between to connect the two you could use hydraulic pressure to pull it apart.