33 10 016 Removing and installing (replacing) rear axle differential

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Special tools required:

33 5 206
33 5 200
33 5 124
2 240 465
33 5 121
33 5 122
33 5 123
2 360 787
2 240 265
2 240 464
33 5 125
2 360 944

WARNING: Rear axle differential must be lashed with tensioning strap 33 5 206 to prevent it from falling out when the output shafts are pressed off.

IMPORTANT: When reinstalling the current rear axle differential, BOTH RADIAL SHAFT SEALS OF THE OUTPUT SHAFTS must be replaced!
The circlips on both output shafts must be replaced!

Necessary preliminary tasks:

Remove VIBRATION ABSORBER at screw connection of rear of rear axle differential.
If necessary, remove rear TENSION STRUTS .
Remove propeller shaft from rear axle differential . See 26 11 000 COMPLETELY REMOVING AND INSTALLING PROPELLER SHAFT (INSERTED - REAR FLEXIBLE DISC) (WITHOUT VIBRATION ABSORBER) or 26 11 000 REMOVING AND REFITTING COMPLETE PROPELLER SHAFT (PUSH-FIT - FLEXIBLE JOINT AT REAR) (WITH VIBRATION ABSORBER) .
- Disconnect propeller shaft at rear axle differential.
- Release center mount.
- Tie up propeller shaft to underbody.
  NOTE: Bending the propeller shaft by an excessive angle can cause premature damage to the joint/propeller shaft!

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 unit to special tool 33 5 200 with tightening strap 33 5 206.

IMPORTANT: Securing strap 33 5 206 must be passed through between output shafts and rear axle final drive cover.

Fig 1: Positioning Special Tool (33 5 200) On Workshop Jack

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IMPORTANT: Insert special tools 33 5 124 or 2 240 465 into the all-round slot (1) of the output shaft!

Fig 2: Identifying Output Shaft All-Round Slot

Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.

Left output shaft only:

Press out the output shaft from the rear axle differential with jerky movements using the following special tools.

Complete special tools depending on the motorization.

N13, B38,
N20B20: 33 5 121, 33 5 122, 33 5 123, 2 240 465
N47, B47, N55,
N57: 33 5 121, 33 5 122, 33 5 123, 33 5 124
N20B28: 33 5 121, 33 5 122, 33 5 123 and 33 5 124 or 2 360 787

Fig 3: Pressing Out Output Shaft From Rear Axle Differential Using Special Tool (33 5 121)
Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.

The thrust piece of the screw 33 5 122 must be in contact with the rear axle differential.

Release screws (1).

Tightening torque 33 17 1AZ

Installation note:

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

Fig 4: Identifying Rear Axle Differential Screws

Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.

Release nut (1) and push screw towards rear to the limit position.

Tightening torque 33 17 2AZ .

Installation note:

Replace nut.

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

Fig 5: Identifying Rear Axle Final Drive Nut

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

Fig 6: Positioning Rear Axle Final Drive With Special Tool (33 5 200)

Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.

Press (tilt) rear axle final drive on right upwards.

Feed out left output shaft in downward direction and tie up.

Swing rear axle final drive towards left side.

Fig 7: Pressing Rear Axle Final Drive

Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.

Right output shaft:

Press out the output shaft from the rear axle differential with jerky movements using the following special tools.

Complete special tools depending on the motorization.

N13, B38,
N20B20: 33 5 121, 33 5 122, 33 5 123, 2 240 265
N47, B47, N55,
N57: 33 5 121, 33 5 122, 33 5 123, 33 5 124
N20B28: 33 5 121, 33 5 122, 33 5 123 and 33 5 124 or 2 360 787

The thrust piece of the screw 33 5 122 must be in contact with the rear axle differential.

Feed out output shaft and tie up.

Remove rear axle final drive.

Fig 8: Pressing Out Output Shaft From Rear Axle Differential

Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.

IMPORTANT: High installation forces indicate that the output shaft spline teeth are damaged or deformed!
Check gearing and replace components if damaged.
Check dust plate (1) for damage, renew if necessary.
Circlip (2) must be renewed!
Coat highlighted contact surface (3) of output shaft with approved final drive oil. See REAR AXLE - OPERATING FLUIDS .

Fig 9: Identifying Dust Plate, Circlip 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 10: Identifying Assembly Protection Ring Lug

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Press the output shaft into the rear axle differential using the following special tools (depending on motorization) and a rubber mallet.

N13, B38, N20B20: 2 240 464
N47, B47, N55, N57: 33 5 125
N20B28: 33 5 125 or 2 360 944

Installation note:

The output shafts must audibly snap in place on the rear axle differential.

Fig 11: Pressing Output Shaft Into Rear Axle Differential Using Rubber Mallet

Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.

Assembly sequence:

Insert the rear axle final drive into the rear axle support using the workshop jack and special tool 33 5 200.
Insert screws (1) (do not tighten).
Insert bolt from rear and replace nut (2) (do not tighten down).
Release securing strap, lower special tool 33 5 200 and move it away.
Tighten down screws (1).
Tightening torque 33 17 1AZ
Tighten nut (2).
Tightening torque 33 17 2AZ

Fig 12: Identifying Screws And Nut
Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.

After installation:

Check OIL LEVEL IN THE REAR AXLE FINAL DRIVE , correct if necessary.