31 50 001 Removing And Installing/Replacing Front Axle Differential

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

IMPORTANT: For the initial filling of a new replacement front axle differential, the gearbox is filled with 600 ml oil! If oil is filled up to the lower edge of the oil filler opening, the gearbox would be overfilled and in rare individual cases oil could emerge from the ventilation opening on the front axle differential.

Necessary preliminary tasks:

REMOVE left output shaft.
Secure RIGHT OUTPUT SHAFT WITH SPECIAL TOOL .
Remove front propeller shaft . See 26 20 000 REMOVING AND INSTALLING FRONT PROPELLER SHAFT (N52K, M57T2, N54) UP TO 04/2010 or 26 20 000 REMOVING AND INSTALLING FRONT PROPELLER SHAFT AS OF 04/2010 .
Lower front axle support . See 31 11 506 LOWERING/RAISING FRONT AXLE SUPPORT (SWZ00-2040) or 31 11 506 LOWERING/RAISING FRONT AXLE SUPPORT (UNIVERSAL LIFTER) .

IMPORTANT: Danger of injury!
When releasing the last bolt, grip the front axle differential to prevent it from falling down.

Detach vent line (1).

Release bolts (2-4).

Remove front axle differential downwards.

Installation note:

During removal and installation: Replace O-RING .

Coat O-ring with front axle differential oil.

Make sure screws are installed in correct positions.

Fig 1: Vent Line And Front Axle Differential Bolts

Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.

Screw (2) top M12x85, bottom M12x55
Screw (3) M12x105
Screw (4) M12x55

Tightening torque 31 50 1AZ .

After installation:

Fill FRONT AXLE DIFFERENTIAL WITH OIL .
Carry out steering angle sensor adjustment/alignment for active front steering . See 61 31 996 CARRYING OUT STEERING ANGLE SENSOR ADJUSTMENT or 32 10 005 ADJUSTMENT FOR ACTIVE FRONT STEERING .
Teach in software end stop for electrical steering.