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Home >> BMW >> 2004 >> X5 30i, Automatic >> Repair and Diagnosis >> External Pages >> Different car >> Section 763 (Rear Axle - Repair) >> 10 Final Drive >> 33 10 010 Removing And Installing/Replacing Rear Differential

33 10 010 Removing And Installing/Replacing Rear Differential

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Special tools required: 

WARNING: Danger of injury!
Rear differential must be lashed with tightening strap 33 5 206  to prevent it falling out when the output shafts are forced off.

Necessary preliminary tasks: 

Position special tool 33 5 200  on workshop jack.

Support rear differential with special tool 33 5 200  .

Lash rear differential with tightening strap 33 5 206  to special tool 33 5 200  .

IMPORTANT: Tightening strap 33 5 206  must be pass through between output shafts and rear differential cover!
Fig 1: Identifying Special Tool (33 5 200) And (33 5 206)
G04794549Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.
IMPORTANT: Risk of damage!
To prevent the rubber mounts from overstretching when the bolts are pulled out, ensure the bolts remains in the rubber mounts.

Release screws (1).

Installation: 

Adhere to the installation sequence at the end of the document in order to prevent distortion of the rear differential during installation and thereby avoid potential complaints about noise.

Fig 2: Identifying Screws
G04794550Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.

Release nut and remove bolt (1) towards front.

Installation: 

Adhere to the installation sequence at the end of the document in order to prevent distortion of the rear differential during installation and thereby avoid potential complaints about noise.

Fig 3: Identifying Bolt
G04794551Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.
IMPORTANT: Risk of damage!
Output shafts must not under any circumstances rest on swinging arms.

Tape off output shafts or place a cloth on swinging arm.

Lower rear differential slowly with aid of workshop jack and press to one side.

Fig 4: Identifying Output Shafts
G04794552Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.
IMPORTANT: Special tools 33 5 120  and 33 5 125  must be inserted in all round slot (1) on output shaft!
Fig 5: Identifying All-Round Slot On Output Shaft
G04794553Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.

Press output shaft by jerks and jolts with special tool 33 5 120  out of rear differential. Here, thrust piece of bolt 33 5 122  must rest on rear differential.

Fig 6: Identifying Special Tools (33 5 120) And (33 5 122)
G04794554Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.
IMPORTANT: In order to ensure correct locking of the output shaft in the rear differential, make sure when driving in the output shaft that the tightening strap 33 5 206  is not located between the rear differential and the dust plate!

Installation: 

Drive output shaft with special tool 33 5 125  and a rubber mallet into rear differential.

Fig 7: Identifying Special Tools (33 5 125) And (33 5 206)
G04794555Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.

Feed output shaft out of rear differential and tie up.

Installation: 

Replace shaft seal(s) for output shaft(s)  . See 33 10 021 REPLACING SHAFT SEAL(S) FOR OUTPUT SHAFT(S), REAR AXLE DIFFERENTIAL .

Fig 8: Identifying Output Shaft Of Rear Differential
G04794556Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.
IMPORTANT: High installation forces indicate that the output shaft spline teeth are damaged or deformed!

Installation: 

Check spline teeth, replaced damaged parts if necessary.

Check dust plate (1) for damage, replace if necessary.

Replace retaining ring (2).

Coat highlighted contact surface (3) of output shaft with approved rear differential oil  . See REAR AXLE - OPERATING FLUIDS .

Fig 9: Identifying Dust Plate, Retaining Ring And Contact Surface
G04794557Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.

Installation: 

Insert output shaft into rear differential.

Pull out assembly protection ring at lug (1) until one of the two programmed rupture points gives.

Fig 10: Identifying Ring At Lug
G04794558Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.
NOTE: Repeat procedure on the other side, remove rear differential with a second person helping from special tool and set down on a suitable surface.

Installation sequence: 

  1. Install rear differential with workshop lifter and special tool 33 5 200  in rear axle carrier
  2. Insert bolts (1) (do not tighten down)
  3. Insert bolt from rear and replace nut (2) (do not tighten down)
  4. Release tightening strap, lower special tool 33 5 200  and move away
  5. Tighten down bolts (1)

    Tightening torque. See REAR AXLE - TIGHTENING TORQUES .

  6. Tighten nut (2)

    Tightening torque. See REAR AXLE - TIGHTENING TORQUES .

    Fig 11: Identifying Bolts And Nut
    G04794559Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.

After installation: