So I have what I think is everything disconnected to drop the engine cradle. One remaining thing is the steering rack. I’d like to release it from the cradle and wire it up. Has any one done this successfully? I’m having a hard time finding concise information on this last step. Pictures or a link would be GREAT!

 

If I understand correctly, you want to remove the front subframe? I disconnected the power steering lines from the rack and the bolt that connects the rack to the steering shaft and dropped it with the subframe. Then on the floor it was easy to separate. Is that what you mean?

 

So I got the cradle down. I needed it down for access to the coolant lines for the turbos. Also while I’m in there the water pump, hoses and what ever look’s sketchy. I’ve never worked on this car and it’s my first BMW. I was just looking for some tips or what nots.

 

How hard is it to remove the cradle? I'll be doing a bunch of stuff next season (gotta limp my recent acquisition through winter without my usual baselining routine), and one of the things I'd LIKE to do is straighten out the jack point I bashed in a parking lot the other day. If the cradle is out, it'll be much easier to gain access to it, as well as the water pump, etc. I have already purchased for PM.

 

I would say it was surprisingly not bad. Put your engine support bar on top, disconnect the bolts holding the engine to the motor mounts, disconnect power steering lines and steering shaft bolt. Then there are 6 bolts that hold the subframe on and you can start lowering. There's a ground strap and some minor small things connected here or there. It really wasn't that hard and it made it easy to get to the water pump and turbos as well as oil pan gasket.

 

It’s down and that makes a world of difference. I’m retired so time is not an issue, it wasn’t that bad either. I was a little intimidated by the amount of stuff that had to come off.
Does the drive shaft have to come off of the differential when I remove it from the oil pan, or can I tie it up and carry on?

 

I left the front driveshaft connected. I put a 5 gallon bucket upside down and laid the differential on it off to the side. Replaced the seal between the diff and the oil pan.

 

I decided to remove it and replace the seal on both sides. Also give it a good cleaning, change the gear oil too.

 

The black plastic plug screws in and it seems like where an oil dip stick should be.
I got the oil pan down and apron cleaning it up I found a plastic plug on the left side where it looks like a dip stick could be. This is my first BMW so I don’t know nuthin’ about these cars. Does anyone know anything about this. I HATE that I can’t check my oil when the car isn’t running.

 

Does anyone know the torque spec for the 6 bolts that attach the engine cradle to the unibody? 2008 E61.