Special tools required:

WARNING: This page does not describe the selected car, but rather 16 other vehicles, including the 2006 BMW 330Ci, 2005 BMW 330xi, 2005 BMW 330i, 2005 BMW 330Ci, and 2004 BMW 330xi. However, it is still accessible from the selected car via links, so may be relevant.

26 1 040

Necessary preliminary tasks:

Remove complete exhaust system. See 18 00 020 REMOVING AND INSTALLING COMPLETE EXHAUST SYSTEM (M54)

Remove heat shield (1).

Fig 1: Removing Heat Shield

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Release threaded ring (1) several turns with special tool 26 1 040.

Installation:

Tighten threaded ring with special tool 26 1 040.
Tightening torque: Refer to PROPELLER SHAFT - TECHNICAL DATA - 330I, 330Ci, 330xi .

Fig 2: Releasing Threaded Ring Using Special Tool 26 1 040
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Unfasten screws.

Tightening torque: Refer to PROPELLER SHAFT - TECHNICAL DATA - 330I, 330Ci, 330xi .

Installation:

Replace self-locking nuts
Grip heads of mounting screws of flexible disk on transmission flange and tighten down at nuts.

Fig 3: Identifying Mounting Screws Of Flexible Disk On Transmission Flange Checking
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IMPORTANT: To avoid complaints of humming:
Before removing propeller shaft, mark cardan universal joint to drive flange of final drive.
Reinstall joint in this position.

Fig 4: Marking Cardan Universal Joint To Drive Flange Of Final Drive

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Unfasten screws.

Tightening torque: Refer to PROPELLER SHAFT - TECHNICAL DATA - 330I, 330CI, 330XI .

Fig 5: Identifying Propeller Shaft Flange Screws

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Push rear propeller shaft (1) forwards.

Fig 6: Pushing Rear Propeller Shaft Forwards

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Grip propeller shaft and release nuts.

Tightening torque: Refer to PROPELLER SHAFT - TECHNICAL DATA - 330I, 330CI, 330XI .

Bend propeller shaft downwards at center bearing (1).

Detach propeller shaft from transmission output flange and remove downwards.

Fig 7: Identifying Propeller Shaft Centering Mount Nuts

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Installation (except E46 Compact and Z4):

Pull off cover tape from butylene tape on both sides. Stick outer butylene tape (1) to center bearing (2).

Fig 8: Sticking Outer Butylene Tape To Center Bearing

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IMPORTANT: (except E46 Compact and Z4)

Remove butylene tape already attached to center bearing.
Clean adhesive area on center bearing and on body
Then coat adhesive area on body with mineral oil This coating with oil is necessary to facilitate insertion of the sticky butylene tape in the propeller shaft tunnel.

This prevents the butylene tape from being deformed.

Installation:

Press center bearing (2) into transmission tunnel.

Fig 9: Pressing Center Bearing In To Transmission Tunnel

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Installation:

Check centering; if necessary, replace damaged centering. Grease centering mount.

Fig 10: Locating Centering Mount

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