31 60 000 Removing and installing/replacing left or right output shaft

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Special tools required:

31 5 110 REMOVAL FORK

IMPORTANT: Risk of damage!
Do not drive output shaft out of drive flange with an impact tool.

Remove front wheels, see 36 10 300 REMOVING OR INSTALLING FRONT OR REAR WHEEL .

Release collar nut; to do so, press brake pedal to floor.

Installation:

Replace collar nut, apply a light coating of oil to contact surface and tighten down.

Tightening torque: 31 21 2AZ, see 31 21 WHEEL BEARINGS AND STEERING KNUCKLE .

Secure collar nut by peening on flat areas of output shaft.

Fig 1: Locating Collar Nut

Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.

Remove reinforcement plate, see 31 10 010 Removing and installing/replacing reinforcement plate .

If necessary, remove steering gear cover at side

Remove tie rod end from swivel bearing, see 32 21 151 REPLACING LEFT OR RIGHT TIE ROD .

Remove guide joint from swivel bearing, see 31 12 026 Removing and installing/replacing guide joint in swivel bearing .

Remove control arm from swivel bearing, see 31 12 000 Removing and installing/replacing left or right control arm .

Remove stabilizer link from stabilizer, see 31 35 005 Removing and installing/replacing push rod (stabilizer link) for left/right stabilizer .

Remove front pulse generator, see 34 52 525 REPLACING ONE FRONT PULSE GENERATOR from swivel bearing.

Turn swivel bearing to one side.

Press output shaft out of drive flange, see 31 60 ... Pressing output shaft out of drive flange (wheel hub) and drawing in .

Press output shaft with special tool 31 5 110 out of front differential/bearing block and remove.

Installation:

Replace shaft seal, see 31 51 015 Replacing shaft seal for left output shaft in front differential/bearing block and coat sealing lips with front differential oil.

Replace retaining ring and slide in output shaft over resistance of retaining ring. Output shaft must snap audibly into place.

IMPORTANT: High installation forces indicate that the spline teeth on the output shaft/rear differential side gear are damaged/deformed!
Check spline teeth, replaced damaged parts.

Fig 2: Removing Output Shaft From Front Differential/Bearing Block

Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.

After installation:

Check front differential oil, see 31 50 ... Changing front differential oil .