DCT Fluid Change - Drop the Transission?

[Cheddar32]

I watched a FCP video about doing the fluid change for the DCT, it looked pretty straightforward so I figured I could possibly do it myself but decided to contact a couple dealers and mechanics in my area for a quote. Dealer came back at 2500 and mechanic was 1300. The mechanic said that 1300 was just for drain, oil pan, pump filter and the fill. He mentioned there is a cartridge filter but everything he saw showed needing to drop the engine and transmission to get to that filter. Based on the FCP video (Think they used a 3 series), there was no need for dropping the trans a little to access that side cartridge filter.

Has anyone done a DCT fluid change and know if there is a need to drop the transmission to access that side cartridge filter?

[zx10guy]

I had a drain and refill done with the replacement of the side cartridge filter. My buddy is a BMW tech at a dealership that helped me do the work. He wasn't crazy about dropping the pan to do the filter but agreed to do the side cartridge filter. He said he did have to drop the trans a little to gain the clearance to pull the filter out. He didn't mention anything about having to drop the engine.

[Cheddar32]

Did he say anything about having to remove the driveshaft? A place just told me they would need to do that to get that cartridge filter.

[houtan]

You can definitely do the side cartridge filter without disconnecting any of the things mentioned. I did the service myself and did a few upgrades as well. https://www.1addicts.com/forums/show...1837081&page=2

[zx10guy]

Originally Posted by Cheddar32

Did he say anything about having to remove the driveshaft? A place just told me they would need to do that to get that cartridge filter.

Just seeing this. Not sure if you're asking me. But my friend didn't mention anything about pulling the driveshaft. Just that he needed to lower the trans a bit to get the clearance to pull the side filter out.

[houtan]

You don’t need to lower the transmission either. It comes right out.

[Cheddar32]

Yeah I did the service and didn’t need to low the transmission or touch the drive shaft. So no clue what that mechanic was telling me.