Help removing underbody screws 35d trans service

[Good 4 2 reasons]

Hoping a fellow member with a diesel can help me with removing the underbody panel to access the transmission pan.

It appears we have extra panelling compared to the gas engined models. I got all the black 8mm hex screws removed, but the trans cover panel is still attached on one side with 4 small silver screws that do not appear to be a hex head. They almost look like rivets. I can't imagine trying perform the fluid and pan swap without removing this panel, but the small silver screws need to come out to release the panel covering the transmission pan.

Hopefully the photos attached. Thanks

2018 x5 35d

[M3HNGRY]

I used vice grips to take them off.

[tfunk88]

I think those are 7mm for some strange reason

[Variante Alta]

I have a 35d and did this service last spring. I don’t recall anything unusual about getting access to the tranny cover bolts and the ones you show in the photo look straightforward to remove. If they are not coming undone that may be a different story but generally these are simple ‘unscrew and drop the shield’ type things. Sorry if we’re missing something.

[milkyway]

When I did my transmission oil change on my 15 35d, I remember only 2 kinds of bolts to take off those shields: 7mm hex head, and round head with star/torx with center pin (don't remember the exact size), but their threads are the same.

[Tomcat_F15_STL]

Yup. Those are definitely weird.

They call them Hex - but, looks like a rivet?!

The funny head prevents mechanics from taking them out, unnecessarily, during service.



They were black hex screws on my E70.

I added these covers to my wife's petrol engine F15. I thought the underside looked unfinished without. lol

[Good 4 2 reasons]

Originally Posted by Tomcat_F15_STL

Yup. Those are definitely weird.

They call them Hex - but, looks like a rivet?!

The funny head prevents mechanics from taking them out, unnecessarily, during service.

Those are exactly the screws that I am struggling with. They are definitely round, and not any kind of hex head with defined sides on the screwhead.

I can easily remove the black screws for the actual undertray for the transmission, but the one side is still attached with the damnable screws to the passenger underside tray that runs the length of the vehicle.

I watched the FCP video for the transmission service a bunch of times, but apparently the gasoline versions didn't get the same underbody paneling because the gas ones do not need to retain heat like the diesel versions to keep the fuel and DEF from gelling/freezing.

Here's a youtube video I made real quick showing how the entire underbody is covered in panels. I am guessing they added more for the 2018 model possibly.

Video of Undertray Issue

[Tomcat_F15_STL]

Originally Posted by Good 4 2 reasons

Those are exactly the screws that I am struggling with.

Why are you interested in removing the odd ones? No need.

Leave the center and side section attached to each other and remove as one larger piece.

It is just a few more screws and a couple plastic nuts - not much stress in that, friend.

[Good 4 2 reasons]

Originally Posted by Tomcat_F15_STL

Why are you interested in removing the odd ones? No need.

Leave the center and side section attached to each other and remove as one larger piece.

It is just a few more screws and a couple plastic nuts - not much stress in that, friend.

The other side of the paneling that covers the exhaust is also using those odd screws. I think I would have to go all the way to the rocker panel on the side and remove the entire section to have it all in one piece. I'm not trying to make more work for myself, but I was wanting some advice before I tried removing these screws that are absent from all the guides I've watched.

[Tomcat_F15_STL]

Originally Posted by Good 4 2 reasons

The other side of the paneling that covers the exhaust is also using those odd screws.

I wonder if they had diesels come back for service because these covers were removed & left off?

A pair of vise-grips is your friend. Perhaps, order a set of replacement Hex-head screws before removal.

[crystalworks]

That is odd. Mine were all standard 8mm on our diesel. As mentioned above... some vice grips will make short work of them.

I'd probably replace them with their 8mm counterparts though upon reinstallation.