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

WARNING: This page is about a different car, the 2009 BMW 550i and 2008 BMW 550i. However, it is still accessible from the selected car via links, so may be relevant.

Special tools required:

00 5 010 . See MAINTENANCE AND GENERAL INFORMATION - SPECIAL TOOLS .
00 5 500
23 0 020 . See MANUAL TRANSMISSION - SPECIAL TOOLS .
23 1 300
23 1 302
23 1 303
31 2 101 . See FRONT AXLE - SPECIAL TOOLS .
31 2 102
31 2 103
31 2 104
33 1 150 . See REAR AXLE - SPECIAL TOOLS .
33 1 341
33 3 440
33 3 470
33 3 480
33 3 490

IMPORTANT: Use only approved gear oils.
Failure to comply with this instruction will result in serious damage to the rear differential!
See REAR AXLE - OPERATING FLUIDS .

Necessary preliminary tasks:

Remove propeller shaft from rear differential , remove propeller shaft if necessary. See 26 11 000 REMOVING AND INSTALLING COMPLETE PROPELLER SHAFT (CONSTANT-VELOCITY JOINT) .

Removing drive flange:

Lift out retaining plate.

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

Fig 1: Identifying Collar Nut

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

Fig 2: Identifying Special Tool (23 0 020)

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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: Identifying Drive Flange With Special Tools (31 2 101, 31 2 102, 31 2 103 And 31 2 104)

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188K / 188L / 188LW:

Remove drive flange with special tool 33 1 150 .

Fig 4: Identifying 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: 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.

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: Identifying Special Tool (00 5 500, 33 3 440 And 33 3 470)
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IMPORTANT: Clean end face (1) of drive flange and apply thin layer of grease.

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

Installing drive flange:

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

Fig 7: Identifying End Face Of Drive Flange

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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: Identifying Special Tool (33 1 300, 33 1 303, 33 1 302 And 33 1 341)

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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

Fig 10: Identifying Special Tool (00 5 500, 33 3 480 And 33 3 490)
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