Removal & Installation
WARNING: This page is about a different car, the 2002 BMW X5, 2001 BMW X5, and 2000 BMW X5. However, it is still accessible from the selected car via links, so may be relevant.
- Remove axle shaft. See DRIVE AXLE SHAFTS (FRONT) .
- Use a screwdriver (2) to lever radial seal (1) out of front axle differential housing (3). See Fig 2 .
- Remove protective sleeve (2) from new radial seal (1). See Fig 3 .
- Drive new radial seal firmly home with special tool 31 5 130. See Fig 4 .
- Carefully insert protective sleeve into radial seal.
- Insert axle shaft part way. Cut open protective sleeve and remove. Finish inserting axle shaft up to stop.
- After completing work, open filler plug and check front axle differential fluid level. Fluid level should be up to lower edge of filler plug.
NOTE:
If only replacing radial seal it is not necessary to press axle shaft out of drive flange. Axle shaft (1) and swivel bearing (2) remain together as a single unit during removal and installation. See Fig 1
.
NOTE:
New radial seal is equipped with a protective sleeve. This serves to protect the sealing lips against damage when the axle shaft is inserted into the front axle differential.
NOTE:
Coat sealing lips of new radial seal with gear oil.
CAUTION:
Use only SAF-XLS or equivalent gear oil in this front axle differential. Failure to comply with this requirement will result in serious damage to the differential.