31 50... Changing Front Differential Oil

WARNING: Danger of poisoning if oil is ingested/absorbed through the skin! See 00 DANGER OF POISONING IF OIL IS INGESTED/ABSORBED THROUGH THE SKIN .
Risk of injury if oil comes into contact with eyes and skin! See 00 RISK OF INJURY IF OIL COMES INTO CONTACT WITH EYES AND SKIN .

IMPORTANT: Use only the approved front differential oil in this front differential. See FRONT AXLE - OPERATING FLUIDS .
Failure to comply with this requirement will result in serious damage to the differential!

NOTE: Only change oil when front differential is at normal operating temperature.

Necessary preliminary tasks:

Remove reinforcement plate . See 31 10 010 REMOVING AND INSTALLING/REPLACING REINFORCEMENT PLATE .
Remove steering gear cover at top left . See 51 71 ... REMOVING AND INSTALLING/REPLACING TOP LEFT STEERING GEAR COVER .

Checking/correcting front differential oil level:

Undo oil filler plug (1).

Check front differential oil level.

If necessary, pour in front differential oil up to lower edge of opening for oil filler plug (1).

Installation:

Replace oil filler plug.

Tightening torque. See FRONT AXLE - TIGHTENING TORQUES .

Fig 1: Identifying Oil Filler Plug

Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.

Changing front differential oil:

Place oil collecting apparatus underneath.

Remove oil drain plug (1).

Drain front differential oil.

Installation:

Replace oil drain plug.

Tightening torque. See FRONT AXLE - TIGHTENING TORQUES .

Undo oil filler plug (2).

Pour in front differential oil up to lower edge of opening for oil filler plug (2).

Installation:

Replace oil filler plug.

Tightening torque. See FRONT AXLE - TIGHTENING TORQUES .

Fig 2: Identifying Oil Drain Plug And Oil Filler Plug

Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.