33 11 021 Replacing shaft seal for input flange on rear differential

WARNING: This page does not describe the selected car, but rather 6 other vehicles, including the 2013 BMW 128i, 2012 BMW 128i, 2011 BMW 128i, 2010 BMW 128i, and 2009 BMW 128i. However, it is still accessible from the selected car via links, so may be relevant.

Special tools required:

00 5 010 UNIVERSAL PULLER
00 5 500 HANDLE FOR DRIFTS
23 0 020 HOLDER
23 1 300 FIXTURE
23 1 302
23 1 303

See MANUAL TRANSMISSION - SPECIAL TOOLS .

31 2 101
31 2 102
31 2 103
31 2 104

FRONT AXLE - SPECIAL TOOLS

33 1 150
33 1 341
33 3 390

REAR AXLE - SPECIAL TOOLS

33 3 440 DRIFT
33 3 470 DRIFT
33 3 480 DRIFT
33 3 490 DRIFT
IMPORTANT: Use only approved gear oils .
Failure to comply with this instruction will result in serious damage to the rear differential!

Necessary preliminary tasks:

Remove propeller shaft from rear differential and tie back.

Removing drive flange:

Lift out retaining plate.

Mark position of collar nut (1) on drive shaft with peening tool.

Fig 1: Identifying Collar Nut

Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.

Brace drive flange with special tool 23 0 020 and release collar nut.

Fig 2: Releasing Collar Nut Using Special Tool

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NOTE: Read and comply with document "Rear differential:
Assignment to model series ".

215L / 215LW / 215 with lock:

Remove drive flange with special tools 31 2 101, 31 2 102, 31 2 103 / 31 2 104 .

Fig 3: Identifying Special Tools (31 2 101), (31 2 102), (31 2 103) & (31 2 104)

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168L / 188L / 188LW:

Remove drive flange with special tool 33 1 150 .

Fig 4: Identifying Special Tool (33 1 150)

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Replacing shaft seal:

Withdraw shaft seal with special tool 00 5 010 .

Fig 5: Identifying Special Tool (00 5 010)

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Drive in new shaft seal with following special tools (depending on rear differential ) as far as it will go.

168L: Use special tools 00 5 500 and 33 3 390
188L / 188LW: Use special tools 00 5 500 and 33 3 470
215L / 215LW / 215 with lock: Use special tools 00 5 500 and 33 3 440

Fig 6: Identifying Special Tools (33 3 390), (33 3 440), (33 3 470) And (00 5 500)
Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.

Installing drive flange:

Coat sealing lips of shaft seal and sealing surface of drive flange with differential oil.

Fit drive flange.

Press on drive flange with special tools 23 1 300 , 33 1 341 and 23 1 303 , if necessary 23 1 302 until collar nut can be screwed on.

Fig 7: Identifying Special Tools (23 1 300), (23 1 302), (33 1 341) And (23 1 303)

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IMPORTANT: Do not under any circumstances tighten down collar nut beyond marker points in order to avoid damaging the clamping sleeve.

Tighten down collar nut (1) to point where marker points are aligned.

Fig 8: Identifying Collar Nut

Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.

Drive in new retaining plate with following special tools (depending on rear differential ) as far as it will go.

168L / 188L / 188LW: Use special tools 00 5 500 and 33 3 480
215L / 215LW / 215 with lock: Use special tools 00 5 500 and 33 3 490

Fig 9: Identifying Special Tools (00 5 500), (33 3 480) And (33 3 490)
Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.

After installation:

Correct rear differential fluid level .