Remove front axle differential

Preliminary work 

• Refer to DEACTIVATING VEHICLE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM .
• Refer to REMOVING THE FRONT LEFT AND RIGHT WHEELS .
• Refer to REMOVING THE REAR SECTION OF THE WHEEL ARCH COVER ON THE FRONT LEFT AND RIGHT .
• Refer to REMOVING THE FRONT UNDERBODY PROTECTION .
• Refer to REMOVING UNDERBODY PLANKING ON LEFT AND RIGHT SIDE .
• Refer to REMOVING THRUST FIELD .
• Refer to MOVING THE HOOD TO THE SERVICE POSITION .
• Refer to REMOVING THE COVER OF THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT AT THE REAR LEFT .
• Refer to REMOVING THE COVER OF THE REAR RIGHT ENGINE COMPARTMENT .
• Refer to REMOVING THE SIDE SEALING ON THE LEFT AND RIGHT FOR THE HOOD .
• Refer to PARTIALLY RELEASING THE FRONT LEFT AND RIGHT SPRING STRUT .
• Refer to REMOVING THE ACOUSTIC COVER .
• Refer to REMOVING THE COVER PANEL OF THE MASTER DME CONTROL UNIT .
• Refer to REMOVING PRIMARY OXYGEN SENSOR FOR CYLINDERS 1 TO 4 .
• Refer to REMOVING LAMBDA OXYGEN SENSOR FOR THE CYLINDERS 5 TO 8 .
• Refer to REMOVING THE COVER PANEL OF THE SLAVE DME CONTROL DEVICE .
• Refer to REPLACING HOLDER OF THE DME CONTROL UNIT FOR CYLINDERS 5 TO 8 .
• Refer to REMOVING COOLANT EXPANSION TANK .
• Refer to REMOVING EXPANSION TANK FOR THE CHARGE AIR COOLER .
• Refer to REMOVING CONDUIT FROM BANK 1 .
• Refer to REMOVING THE WIRING HARNESS FROM THE CYLINDER BANK 2 .
• Refer to REMOVING THE RETAINING BRIDGE .
• Refer to REMOVING THE FRONT HOOD SEAL .
• Refer to REMOVING THE CENTER ENGINE COMPARTMENT COVER .
• Refer to RELEASING LEFT FRONT-END STRUT .
• Refer to REMOVING LEFT INTAKE SILENCER HOUSING .
• Refer to RELEASING THE RIGHT FRONT-END STRUT .
• Refer to REMOVING RIGHT INTAKE SILENCER HOUSING .
• Refer to REMOVING FRONT CROSS CONNECTION .
• Refer to REMOVING THE REAR TOP CROSS CONNECTION .
• Refer to REMOVING FAN COWL WITH ELECTRIC MOTOR .
• Refer to REMOVING DRIVE BELT .
• Refer to REMOVING THE CLEAN AIR PIPE OF CYLINDER BANK 1 .
• Refer to PUTTING THE ENGINE INTO THE INSTALLATION POSITION .
• Refer to REMOVING THE SPRING STRUT HOLDER ON LEFT AND RIGHT .
• Refer to REMOVING THE OUTPUT SHAFTS .
• Refer to REMOVING THE RIGHT ENGINE MOUNTING REINFORCEMENT STRUT .
• Refer to DETACHING THE WIRING HARNESS OF THE EPS FROM THE FRONT AXLE SUPPORT .
• Refer to REMOVING THE WHEEL ARCH COVER ON THE FRONT LEFT AND BOTTOM RIGHT .
• Refer to REMOVING LEFT AND RIGHT CRASH LEVER .
• Refer to REMOVING LEFT AND RIGHT BRAKE VENTILATION DUCT .
• Refer to REMOVING THE ANTI-ROLL BAR .
• Refer to LOOSENING THE BRAKE CALIPER, LEFT AND RIGHT .
• Refer to RELEASING CABLE FROM VERTICAL ACCELERATION SENSOR ON LEFT AND RIGHT .
• Refer to DETACHING THE CABLE OF THE WHEEL RPM SENSOR ON THE LEFT AND RIGHT .
• Refer to REMOVING UNIVERSAL JOINT .
• Refer to RELEASING THE THERMOSTAT OR TRANSMISSION OIL COOLER LINE FROM THE FRONT SUBFRAME .
• Refer to DETACHING COOLANT HOSES FROM THE FRONT AXLE SUPPORT .
• Refer to PREPARING THE MOBILE TABLE LIFT .
• Refer to POSITIONING THE MOBILE LIFTING TABLE .
• Refer to REMOVING THE MOUNT OF SWIVEL BEARING AT THE TOP LEFT AND RIGHT .
• Refer to UNSCREW THE BOLTS ON THE FRONT AXLE SUPPORT .
• Refer to REMOVING FRONT AXLE COMPLETELY .
• Refer to RELEASING AIR CONDITIONING COMPRESSOR .
• Refer to RELEASING FRONT PROP SHAFT FROM FRONT AXLE TRANSMISSION .

• Mark installation locations of screws (1)  to (3)  .

  These screws are installed:

  Screw (1)  : M12x105

  Screws (2)  : M12x55

  Screw (3)  : M12x55 or  M12x105

• Loosen screws (1)  to (3)  .
• Remove front axle differential (4)  .

Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.