33 10 010 Removing and installing/replacing rear differential

WARNING: This page is about a different car, the 2013 BMW X5 M, 2012 BMW X5 M, 2011 BMW X5 M, and 2010 BMW X5 M. However, it is still accessible from the selected car via links, so may be relevant.

Special tools required:

WARNING: Danger of injury!
Rear axle final drive must be lashed with tensioning strap 33 5 206 to prevent it falling out when the output shafts are forced off.

IMPORTANT: When replacing rear differential:
New rear differential is not filled with oil.
ADD REAR DIFFERENTIAL OIL after installing.

When removing/reinstalling the rear axle final drive, both OUTPUT SHAFT RADIAL SHAFT SEALS and the circlip on both output shafts must be replaced.

Necessary preliminary tasks:

Remove PROPELLER SHAFT ON FINAL DRIVE .
Remove left COIL SPRING .
On vehicles with air spring: DRAIN AIR SPRING SYSTEM .

Position special tool 33 5 200 on workshop jack.

Support rear axle final drive 33 5 200 with special tool.

Lash rear axle final drive with tensioning strap 33 5 206 to special tool 33 5 200 .

IMPORTANT: Tensioning strap 33 5 206 must be pass through between output shafts and rear axle final drive cover!

Fig 1: Lashing Rear Axle Final Drive With Tensioning Strap 33 5 206 To Special Tool 33 5 200

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IMPORTANT: Special tools 33 5 120 and 33 5 125 must be inserted in all-round slot (1) on output shaft!

Fig 2: Identifying Output Shaft All-Round Slot

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Press out only left output shaft from rear axle differential with jerky movements using special tool 33 5 120 . Here, thrust piece of bolt 33 5 122 must rest on rear axle final drive.

Fig 3: Pressing Out Left Output Shaft From Rear Axle Differential Using Special Tool (33 5 120)

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IMPORTANT: Risk of damage!
To prevent the rubber mounts from overstretching when the bolts are pulled out, ensure the bolts remains in the rubber mounts.

Release screws (1).

Installation note:

Adhere to the installation sequence at the end of the document in order to prevent distortion of the rear axle final drive during installation and thereby avoid potential complaints about noise.

Fig 4: Identifying Rear Differential Mounting Screws

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Release nut (1) and remove screw towards rear.

For E72: Remove screw towards front!

Installation note:

Adhere to the installation sequence at the end of the document in order to prevent distortion of the rear axle final drive during installation and thereby avoid potential complaints about noise.

Fig 5: Identifying Rear Differential Mounting Nut

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IMPORTANT: Risk of damage!
Output shafts must not under any circumstances rest on swinging arms.

Tape off output shafts or place a cloth on swinging arm.

Fig 6: Caution For Placing Output Shaft On Swinging Arm

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Lower rear axle final drive with special tool 33 5 200 .

Fig 7: Lashing Rear Axle Final Drive With Tensioning Strap 33 5 206 To Special Tool 33 5 200

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Secure special tool 31 5 220 with wheel studs to left drive flange.

Press left wheel carrier a minimum of approx. 10 cm towards top.

Fig 8: Securing Left Drive Flange Wheel Studs Using Special Tool (31 5 220)

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Turn rear axle differential to the right bottom.

Press/snap left output shaft (1) to the rear top and drive flange (2) from rear axle differential to the front!

Fig 9: Pressing Output Shaft And Drive Flange

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Swing rear axle final drive towards left side.

Press out right output shaft from rear axle differential with jerky movements using special tool 33 5 120 . Here, synchronizing key of bolt 33 5 122 must rest on rear axle final drive.

Feed out output shaft and tie up.

Remove rear axle final drive.

Fig 10: Pressing Out Left Output Shaft From Rear Axle Differential Using Special Tool (33 5 120)

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Installation note:

Check gearing, replaced damaged parts if necessary.

Check dust plate (1) for damage, replace if necessary.

Replace retaining ring (2).

Coat contact surface (3) of output shaft with approved final drive oil.

Fig 11: Identifying Dust Plate, Retaining Ring And Output Shaft Contact Surface

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Installation note:

Insert output shaft into rear axle final drive.

Pull out assembly protection ring at lug (1) until one of the two predetermined breaking points gives.

Fig 12: Identifying Assembly Protection Ring Lug

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IMPORTANT: In order to ensure correct locking of the output shaft in the rear axle final drive, make sure when driving in the output shaft that the tightening strap 33 5 206 is not located between the rear axle final drive and the dust plate!

Fig 13: Installing Output Shaft Into Rear Axle Final Drive Using Special Tool (33 5 125) And Rubber Mallet

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Installation note:

Drive output shaft with special tool 33 5 125 and a rubber mallet into rear axle final drive.

The output shafts must audibly lock on the rear axle differential!

Assembly sequence

Install rear axle final drive with workshop jack and special tool 33 5 200 in rear axle support.
Insert bolts (1) (do not tighten down).
Insert bolt from rear and replace nut (2) (do not tighten down).
For E72: Insert bolt from rear!
Release tensioning strap, lower special tool 33 5 200 and move away.

Fig 14: Identifying Rear Axle Final Drive Mounting Bolts
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Tighten down screws (1)
Tightening torque 33 17 1AZ .
Tighten nut (2)
Tightening torque 33 17 2AZ .

After installation

FILL REAR DIFFERENTIAL WITH OIL OR CHECK OIL LEVEL and top up if necessary.

Replacement only:

With BMW diagnosis and information system under
- Control unit functions Perform function check of transfer box (calibration)