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

WARNING: This page is about a different car, the 2010 BMW 535i, 2009 BMW 535i, and 2008 BMW 535i. However, it is still accessible from the selected car via links, so may be relevant.

Special tools required:

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 , remove propeller shaft if necessary

Removing drive flange:

Lift out retaining plate.

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

Fig 1: Locating Position Of Collar Nut On Drive Shaft

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

Fig 2: Releasing Collar Nut

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NOTE: Read and comply with document "REAR DIFFERENTIAL: ASSIGNMENT TO MODEL SERIES ".

215K / 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: Removing Drive Flange

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188K / 188L / 188LW:

Remove drive flange with special tool 33 1 150 .

Fig 4: Removing Drive Flange With Special Tool 33 1 150

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Replacing shaft seal:

Withdraw shaft seal with special tool 00 5 010 .

Fig 5: Removing Shaft Seal With 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.

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

Fig 6: Installing Shaft Seal
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IMPORTANT: Clean end face (1) of drive flange and apply thin layer of grease (Castrol Optitemp HAT LF1 / 50g tube / BMW part # 83 23 0 417 754).

NOTE: Non-compliance with the instructions will result in noise from the rear axle final drive.

Fig 7: Identifying End Face Of Drive Flange

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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 8: Installing Drive Flange

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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 9: Identifying Collar Nut

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

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

Fig 10: Installing Retaining Plate
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After installation:

Only for rear differentials 188K / 215K / 215 with lock: Change REAR DIFFERENTIAL OIL
Only for rear differentials 188L / 215L / 215LW: Correct REAR DIFFERENTIAL FLUID LEVEL