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

WARNING: This page does not describe the selected car, but rather 21 other vehicles, including the 2017 BMW 550i GT xDrive, 2017 BMW 535i GT xDrive, 2017 BMW 535i GT, 2016 BMW 550i GT xDrive, and 2016 BMW 535i GT xDrive. 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: On four-wheel drive vehicles with defective, non-engaging drive, it is imperative that the following information is taken account of.

See ADDITIONAL WORK when replacing the propeller shaft.

IMPORTANT: The three-hole flange to the rear axle differential is balanced with the flexible disc and propeller shaft.
Three-hole flange, flexible disc and propeller shaft may not be disassembled.
The propeller shaft may only be released at the sunk nut at the rear.
The sunk nut must be opened against direction of travel in clockwise direction.
Replacement of the sunk nut on the rear axle differential is mandatory !
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 tasks:

Remove complete exhaust system. See EXHAUST SYSTEM (N55) or EXHAUST SYSTEM (N63) .
Remove heat shields.

IMPORTANT: Adhere without fail to the installation and bolt-tightening sequence.
installation sequence:

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

Screw-fastening sequence:

Flexible disc to transmission
Three-hole flange on rear axle differential
Center 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: Marking Flexible Disc Connection Point Across Flexible Disc And Three-Bolt Flange Before Removal
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If necessary:

Release screws (1).

Remove cover (2).

Fig 2: Identifying Cover 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: Identifying 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 Aluminium Flexible Disc

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Installation note

Check centering mount.

If necessary, replace damaged CENTERING BEARING .

Grease front centering bearing.

Grease: refer to OPERATING FLUIDS .

Fig 5: Locating Front Centering Bearing
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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 00 9 130 To Vehicle Underbody

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N63 engine.

Release screws (1).

Remove panel (2).

Fig 7: Locating Panel Screws

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Slacken screws (1)

Tightening torque 26 11 5AZ .

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

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

Fig 8: Securing Propeller Shaft At Center Universal Joint Against Twisting

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Installation note:

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

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

Fig 9: Identifying Propeller Shaft Center Bearing

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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.

IMPORTANT: The sunk nut must be opened against direction of travel in clockwise direction.

Fig 10: Loosening Bi-Hexagonal Flange Nut

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If an attempt is made to open the sunk nut in direction of travel in clockwise direction, the sunk nut is automatically screwed in further and the insert collar of the 12-edge flange nut is severely damaged.
If the insert collar of the flange nut was damaged, the propeller shaft can no longer be secured using a new sunk nut and the rear axle differential must be replaced.

Unscrew recessed nut clockwise when viewed from front using special tool 33 5 070 and 33 0 080.

Tightening torque 26 11 6AZ

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

Installation note:

Retaining clip and gasket must be replaced.

Fig 11: 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 12: 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: refer to OPERATING FLUIDS .

Fig 13: Identifying Insert 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: refer to OPERATING FLUIDS .

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

Fig 14: Identifying Hub Teeth And Thread Of Joint Hub

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

Install retaining clip (2).

Fig 15: Identifying Flange Nut With Gasket And Retaining Clip

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IMPORTANT: Adhere without fail to the installation and bolt-tightening sequence.
installation sequence:

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

Screw-fastening sequence:

Insert nut
Flexible disc to transmission
Center 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 min .

Fig 16: Installing Propeller Shaft

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

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

Tightening torque 26 11 6AZ .