33 31 000 Removing And Installing Complete Rear Axle Carrier

Special tools required: 

• 00 2 030
• 00 2 040
• 33 4 232
• 33 4 233

• the vehicle can no longer be raised or lowered
• the vehicle does not lift off the locating plates on the lifting platform

Necessary preliminary tasks: 

• Remove brake disc on both sides. See 34 11 220 REMOVING AND INSTALLING/REPLACING BOTH FRONT BRAKE DISCS (S85) .
• Disconnect handbrake cable on both sides of wheel brake and remove from hanging hook. See 34 41 120 REMOVING AND INSTALLING / REPLACING BOTH HANDBRAKE BOWDEN CABLES .
• Remove propeller shaft from rear differential and tie back or remove completely if necessary. See 26 11 000 REMOVING AND INSTALLING COMPLETE PROPELLER SHAFT (CONSTANT-VELOCITY JOINT) .
• E64 M6: Remove rear left and right tension struts E64 except M6: Remove cross strut.
• Detach plug connection for pulse generator on both sides and expose line up to control arm.
• Detach plug connection for brake pad wear sensor on right and expose line up to control arm.
• If necessary, disconnect plug connection from ride-height sensor.
• Remove spring strut shock absorber on both sides from wheel carrier .

When supporting components, make sure that

• the vehicle can no longer be raised or lowered
• the vehicle does not lift off the locating plates on the lifting platform

Insert special tools 33 4 233 and 33 4 232 into corresponding mountings of special tool 00 2 040.

Align special tool 00 2 040 to rear axle carrier.

Support rear axle carrier by raising special tool 00 2 030.

Fig 1: Identifying Special Tools 33 4 233 And 33 4 232

Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.

Version with Dynamic Drive: 

Disconnect pressure lines at point of separation II and seal with plugs.

Remove tension struts .

Release screws (1) and remove stop plate (2).

Lower rear axle carrier (3).

Installation: 

Check threads for damage; if necessary, repair with Heli-coil thread inserts.

First install tension struts  and then tighten down bolts (1).

Tighten to specified torque. See 33 33 3AZ in REAR AXLE -- TORQUE SPECIFICATIONS .

After installation: 

• Version with Dynamic Drive: 

Fig 2: Identifying Screws, Stop Plate And Rear Axle Carrier

Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.

• Fill and bleed hydraulic system
• Check pipe connections for leaks
• If necessary, carry out initial Dynamic Drive operation

• Adjusti handbrake. See 34 10 014 ADJUSTING HANDBRAKE .