Remove front axle differential

Preliminary work 

• Refer to DISCONNECTING ALL BATTERY GROUND LEADS .
• Refer to REMOVING THE FRONT UNDERBODY PROTECTION .
• Refer to REMOVING THE STIFFENING PLATE .
• Refer to BRINGING FRONT COMPARTMENT LID IN THE SERVICE POSITION .
• Refer to REMOVING THE COVER OF THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT AT THE REAR LEFT .
• Removing the cover of the rear right engine compartment.

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  • Loosen the lock (1)
  • Remove the cover (2).

  Covering the vehicle battery 

  WARNING: Unprotected battery terminals. Risk of short circuits! Risk of fire!

  • Cover the vehicle battery

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  NOTE: The following step(s) must be performed if the listed component(s) is/are installed.
  • Cover the vehicle battery with the special tool 2 452 007  as shown.
• Refer to REMOVING RIGHT AND LEFT SIDE HOOD SEALS .
• 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 THE LAMBDA OXYGEN SENSOR FOR THE 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 REMOVING HOLDER OF DME CONTROL UNIT FOR CYLINDERS 5 TO 8 .
• Refer to REMOVING COOLANT EXPANSION TANK .
• Refer to REMOVING EXPANSION TANKS FOR THE CHARGE AIR COOLERS .
• Refer to REMOVING CONDUIT FROM BANK 1 .
• Refer to REMOVING THE WIRING HARNESS FROM THE CYLINDER BANK 2 .
• Refer to REMOVING THE RETAINING BRIDGE IN AN EQUIPMENT SPECIFICATION WITH A GASOLINE PARTICULATE FILTER .
• Refer to REMOVING THE COVER IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT ON THE RIGHT .
• Refer to RELEASING THE RIGHT FRONT-END STRUT .
• Refer to REMOVING RIGHT INTAKE SILENCER HOUSING .
• Refer to REMOVING THE CLEAN AIR PIPE OF CYLINDER BANK 1 .
• Refer to REMOVING THE COVER IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT ON THE LEFT .
• Refer to RELEASING LEFT FRONT-END STRUT .
• Refer to REMOVING LEFT 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 INSTALLING THE REAR TOP CROSS CONNECTION .
• Refer to MOVE THE ENGINE TO THE INSTALLATION POSITION .
• 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 BRAKE VENTILATION DUCT .
• Refer to US VERSION ONLY: REMOVING THE BOTTOM HOLDER FROM THE COOLANT RADIATOR AT LEFT AND RIGHT .
• Refer to REMOVING THE SPRING STRUT HOLDER ON LEFT AND RIGHT .
• Refer to REMOVING THE OUTPUT SHAFTS .
• 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 MOUNTING 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.