31 50 001 Removing and installing/replacing front differential

Necessary preliminary tasks: 

• Remove front underbody protection, see 51 47 490 REMOVING AND INSTALLING / REPLACING FRONT UNDERBODY PROTECTION .
• Drain and dispose of front differential oil, see 31 50 ... Changing front differential oil .
• Remove left output shaft, see 31 60 000 Removing and installing/replacing left or right output shaft .
• Press right output shaft approx. 7 to 8 cm out of front differential, see 31 60 ... Pressing output shaft out of drive flange (wheel hub) and drawing in .
• Remove front propeller shaft, seeREMOVAL & INSTALLATION .
• Replacement only: 
  • Replace front axle output flange on transfer case.
  NOTE: Replace the output flange to ensure a clean seal on the transfer case.

Version with automatic transmission: If necessary, disconnect hydraulic lines from oil sump.

Release screws (1).

Tightening torque: 31 50 7AZ, see 31 50 FRONT AXLE DIFFERENTIAL .

Detach front differential from oil sump and carefully feed out towards bottom.

Installation: 

Replace O-ring if necessary.

Coat O-ring with front differential oil.

After installation: 

• Drain and dispose of front differential oil, see 31 50 ... Changing front differential oil .
• Check transfer case oil level, see 27 00 ... TOPPING UP/CHANGING TRANSFER CASE OIL , correct if necessary
• Check fluid level in automatic transmission, correct if necessary