Remove front differential

Preliminary work 

• Refer to DEACTIVATE VEHICLE-SPECIFIC HIGH-VOLTAGE OR LOW-VOLTAGE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM .
• 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 REAR HOOD SEAL .
• Refer to REMOVING LEFT AND RIGHT WIPER ARM .
• Refer to REMOVING WINDSHIELD PANEL COVER .
• Refer to REMOVING THE CENTER COWL UPPER PART .
• Refer to REMOVING THE TOP RIGHT AND LEFT COVER IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT .
• Refer to REMOVING SEAL FOR FRONT HOOD .
• Refer to REMOVING THE STRUT BRACE AT THE LEFT AND RIGHT .
• Refer to RELEASING THE RIGHT FRONT SPRING STRUT (AIR SUSPENSION) .
• Refer to REMOVING THE FRONT LEFT AND RIGHT WHEELS .
• Refer to REMOVING THE COVER OF THE STEERING ASSEMBLY ON THE LEFT AND RIGHT .
• Refer to PARTIALLY REMOVING THE FRONT LEFT AND RIGHT WHEEL ARCH TRIM ON THE DOOR SILL .
• Refer to REMOVING REAR SECTION OF THE WHEEL ARCH COVER ON THE FRONT LEFT AND RIGHT .
• Refer to REMOVING THE FRONT UNDERBODY PROTECTION .
• Refer to REMOVING THRUST FIELD .
• Refer to REMOVING STIFFENING STRUT .
• Refer to REMOVING FRONT WHEEL ARCH COVER AT THE BOTTOM LEFT AND RIGHT .
• Refer to REMOVING LEFT AND RIGHT CRASH LEVER .
• Refer to REMOVING LEFT AND RIGHT BRAKE VENTILATION DUCT .
• Refer to IF INSTALLED: REMOVING THE AUXILIARY HEATER .
• Refer to REMOVING THE EPS WIRING HARNESS .
• Refer to RELEASING THE WIRING HARNESS FROM THE ACTIVE STABILIZER .
• Refer to RELEASING UNIVERSAL JOINT ON STEERING GEAR .
• Refer to RELEASING THE LEFT AND RIGHT OUTPUT SHAFT FROM THE WHEEL BEARING .
• Refer to DETACHING THE TOP LEFT AND RIGHT WISHBONE FROM THE SWIVEL BEARING .
• Refer to SECURING THE SWIVEL BEARING, LEFT AND RIGHT .
• Refer to DISCONNECTING THE CONNECTOR FROM VERTICAL ACCELERATION SENSOR ON THE LEFT AND RIGHT .
• Refer to DISCONNECTING THE PLUG CONNECTIONS ON THE LEFT AND THE RIGHT .
• Refer to LOOSENING AND TYING UP BRAKE CALIPER, LEFT AND RIGHT .
• Refer to REMOVING THE SPRING STRUT HOLDER ON LEFT AND RIGHT .
• Refer to REMOVING LEFT AND RIGHT OUTPUT SHAFT: .
• Refer to RELEASING THE BRACKET OF THE TRANSMISSION OIL COOLING .
• Refer to DISCONNECTING THE COOLANT HOSE FROM THE FRONT SUBFRAME .
• Refer to PREPARING THE MOBILE TABLE LIFT .
• Refer to POSITIONING THE MOBILE TABLE LIFT .
• Refer to LOOSENING THE SWIVEL BEARING ON THE LEFT AND RIGHT .
• Refer to UNSCREW THE BOLTS ON THE FRONT AXLE SUPPORT .
• Refer to REMOVING FRONT AXLE .
• Refer to RELEASING AIR CONDITIONING COMPRESSOR .
• Refer to RELEASING FRONT PROP SHAFT FROM FRONT DIFFERENTIAL .
• Refer to REMOVING THE ENGINE MOUNT .

• Release screws (1)  and (2)  .
• Feed out and remove the front differential (3)  .

  Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.