Axle Shafts & Bearings: Removal

Raise and support vehicle. Remove wheel and brake drum assembly. Remove drive shaft. Loosen castellated nut (528e and 733i models) securing flange to axle shaft. Using a puller on 528e and 733i models, remove flange.
On all models, install castellated nut on axle shaft and drive out axle shaft using a soft-headed mallet. Remove bearings and seals. Remove spacer sleeve and shim, if equipped.

Fig 1: Sectional View of Axle Shaft Assembly Spacer length and shim adjust wheel bearing play.
Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.