26 11 000 Removing and installing complete propeller shaft (flexible disc at rear)

WARNING: This page is about a different car, the 2013 BMW 550i GT, 2012 BMW 550i GT, 2011 BMW 550i GT, and 2010 BMW 550i GT. However, it is still accessible from the selected car via links, so may be relevant.

Special tools required:

00 9 120

00 9 130

33 5 070

33 0 080

IMPORTANT: With four-wheel drive and on renewal only:
according to installation with BMW diagnosis and information system under control unit function
Perform function check of transfer box (calibration)

IMPORTANT: Replacement of the sunk nut on the rear axle final drive is absolutely required!
The sunk nut already has a screw locking.
After the propeller shaft has been screwed into the rear axle final drive (sunk nut), a hardening time of at least 2 hours is absolutely necessary.
The hardening time may be extended at lower temperatures!
Failure to comply with these instructions may cause serious damage!

Necessary preliminary work

Remove complete EXHAUST SYSTEM .

Remove heat shields

F03: Remove underbody panelling

IMPORTANT: Adhere without fail to installation and screw-fastening sequence.
Installation sequence:

Join propeller shaft to transmission
Join propeller shaft to rear axle final drive
Join centre mount

Screw-fastening sequence:

Flexible disc to transmission
Three-hole flange on rear axle differential
Centre mount

IMPORTANT: To avoid buzzing sound after refitting the propeller shaft:

The flexible disc connection (1) on the front at the propeller shaft must be marked in one plane with the flexible disc (2) and the three-bolt flange (3) before removal.
During installation the three-bolt flange (3) must be forced back together again with the flexible disc (2) in the same position.
Replace ZNS bolts and self-locking nuts.

Fig 1: Identifying Propeller Shaft Flexibile Disc Connection, Flexibile Disc And Three-Bolt Flange Marked In One Plane

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If necessary:

Release screws (1).

Remove cover (2).

Fig 2: Identifying Propeller Shaft Cover And Mounting Screws

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Release screws.

Installation note:

Replace ZNS bolts and self-locking nuts.
Grip mounting bolts of flexible disc at nuts and tighten down by way of bolts.

Fig 3: Locating ZNS Bolts
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NOTE: Instead of conventional rubber flexible disks, F series also use aluminium flexible discs, which are also called EGG (constant velocity joints).

Fig 4: Identifying EGG (Constant Velocity Joints)

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Installation note:

Check centring mount.

If necessary, replace damaged CENTRING BEARING .

Grease front centring bearing.

Grease: BMW Service Operating Fluids. See DRIVESHAFT -- OPERATING FLUIDS .

Fig 5: Locating Centering Mount
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Installation note:

Tighten down screws/bolts to specified torque.

Secure angle of rotation special tool 00 9 120 with magnets 00 9 130 to vehicle underbody and screw down further according to angle of rotation.

Tightening torque 26 11 1AZ .

Fig 6: Securing Angle Of Rotation Special Tool (00 9 120) With Magnets [009130 Magnet] To Vehicle Underbody

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N63 engine.

Release screws (1).

Remove panel (2).

Fig 7: Identifying Propeller Shaft Panel Screws

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Slacken screws (1)

Tightening torque 26 11 5AZ .

Using a suitable tool (2), secure propeller shaft at centre universal joint against turning.

Remove screws of centre mount fully only after opening insert nut.

Fig 8: Securing Propeller Shaft At Centre Universal Joint Against Turning Using Tool

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Installation note:

With N53, N54, N55, N57 engines propeller shaft centre bearing (1) is identified with the labelling TOP.

Propeller shaft centre bearing (1) must be installed with the labelling facing upward in transmission tunnel.

Fig 9: Identifying Propeller Shaft Centre Bearing With Labelling Top

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IMPORTANT: The three-hole flange to the rear axle final drive is balanced with the propeller shaft.
Three-hole flange (1), flexible disc (2) and propeller shaft (3) may not be taken apart.

Fig 10: Locating Mark On Three-Hole Flange, Flexible Disc And Propeller Shaft In One Plane

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IMPORTANT: The bi-hexagonal flange nut (1) must not be used for counter-hold.
Failure to comply with this instruction may result in serious damage to the rear axle final drive.

Release insert nut against direction of travel in clockwise direction with special tool 33 5 070 and 33 0 080.

Tightening torque 26 11 6AZ .

Fig 11: Releasing Insert Nut Against Direction Of Travel In Clockwise Direction Using Special Tool 33 5 070 And 33 0 080

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Remove retaining clip (1) and gasket (2).

Installation note:

Retaining clip and gasket must be replaced.

Fig 12: Identifying Retaining Clip And Gasket

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Remove insert nut (1).

Installation note:

Insert nut must be replaced.

The sunk nut is equipped with a screw locking.

Prior to the first journey, a minimum hardening time of 2 hours must be complied with.

Failure to comply with these instructions may cause serious damage!

Fig 13: Identifying Insert Nut

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Before installing propeller shaft:

Clean insert collar (1) on flange nut and gearing on bevel pinion (2).

Fill insert collar (1) with grease.

Grease: BMW Service Operating Fluids. See DRIVESHAFT -- OPERATING FLUIDS .

Fig 14: Identifying Collar On Flange Nut And Gearing On Bevel Pinion

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Clean thread (1) of joint hub to remove adhesive residues.

Clean hub teeth (2), then coat with grease.

Grease: BMW Service Operating Fluids. See DRIVESHAFT -- OPERATING FLUIDS .

IMPORTANT: Thread of joint hub must not be fouled with grease.

Fig 15: Identifying Joint Hub Thread And Hub Teeth

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Place flange nut (1) with gasket in insert collar of flange nut.

Install retaining clip (2).

Fig 16: Identifying Flange Nut And Retaining Clip

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IMPORTANT: Adhere without fail to installation and screw-fastening sequence.
Installation sequence:

Join propeller shaft to transmission
Join propeller shaft to rear axle final drive
Join centre mount

Screw-fastening sequence:

Insert nut
Flexible disc to transmission
Centre mount

IMPORTANT: The bi-hexagonal flange nut (2) must not be used for bracing.
Failure to comply with this instruction may result in serious damage to the rear axle final drive.
Insert nut must be screwed into place within 5 minutes.

Fig 17: Sliding Propeller Shaft To Limit Position On Insert Nut

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Slide propeller shaft (1) to the limit position onto insert nut and secure.

Secure propeller shaft at centre universal joint with a suitable tool against turning.

Tightening torque 26 11 6AZ .