Rear Axle Seals & Bearings: 5-Series
WARNING: This page does not describe the selected car, but rather 92 other vehicles, including the 2002 BMW Z3, 2002 BMW M Roadster, 2002 BMW M Coupe, 2001 BMW Z3, and 2001 BMW M5. However, it is still accessible from the selected car via links, so may be relevant.
- Raise and support vehicle. Remove wheel(s).
- Unfasten collar nut (1). See Fig 1.
- Remove brake disc. See BRAKE DISC .
- Screw special tool 33 2 116 onto drive flange with wheel studs. Drive out drive flange with special tool 33 4 201/202/203. See Figure.
- If necessary, pull off bearing inner race using special tool 33 1 312/ 00 7 500 from groove in bearing race. See Figure.
- It may be necessary to remove inner wheel bearing race with the following procedure:
- Detach wheel bearing inner race with special tool 33 4 400 through groove in bearing inner race.
- According to outside diameter of bearing inner race, use special tool 33 4 401 with: 33 4 405 for dia. 45-51 mm, 33 4 406 for dia. 50-55 mm and 33 4 407 for dia. 55-61 mm in groove. See Figure.
- Tension special tool 33 4 401 with wrenches 33 4 403 and 33 4 404 until it can still just be turned in groove. See Figure.
- Screw in special tool 33 4 402. Detach inner bearing race.
- Unfasten screws and remove wheel bearing. See Fig 2.
- Install new wheel bearing. The contact faces (2) of wheel bearing and wheel carrier and the tapped bores (1) must be clean and free of grease. See Fig 3.
- For bottom screws use 1/2" socket wrench with joint. For upper screws use 1/2" socket wrench with extension. Tighten to specification. See TORQUE SPECIFICATIONS .
- Apply light coat of oil to drive flange (1). Attach drive flange on spline of axle shaft and tighten it down using special tool 33 2 115/ 116/ 118. See Fig 4.
- Install brake disc.
- Lightly oil and replace collar nut. Tighten to specification. See TORQUE SPECIFICATIONS .
- Secure collar nut by peening in flat areas of axle shaft.
CAUTION:
Do not reuse old wheel bearing.