Remove the front axle completely with the engine and the automatic transmission (all-wheel drive)

WARNING: This page is about a different car, the 2025 BMW M4, 2024 BMW M4, 2023 BMW M4, 2022 BMW M4, and 2021 BMW M4. However, it is still accessible from the selected car via links, so may be relevant.

WARNING: Working on 12 V electrical system .
Risk of short circuits! Risk of fire!

Make sure that there is no charger connected to the jump start terminal in the engine compartment.
Detach battery ground lead from battery.
For auxiliary batteries: Detach battery minus cables from all auxiliary batteries.

WARNING: Car may slip off the vehicle hoist if the weight is distributed unevenly .
Danger! Immobilization period-threatening injuries!

Ensure there is a specific weight compensation on the car.

WARNING: Car may slip off the vehicle hoist where components are supported .
Danger! Immobilization period-threatening injuries!

Secure the vehicle hoist against lowering and lifting.
Make sure that the vehicle does not lift off the mounting plates on the vehicle lift.

CAUTION: Heavy component .
Heavy components can lead to injury or damage .

Remove and install heavy components with the aid of another person/other persons.

NOTE: RISK OF DAMAGE
Damage to battery terminal, the safety battery terminal or the intelligent battery sensor (IBS) .
Damaged battery terminals can lead to malfunctions or vehicle electrical system faults .

Detach battery terminal from battery pole by carefully shifting to and fro. Do not pry off using a tool.

NOTE: RISK OF DAMAGE
Engine damage due to missing motor oil .
Missing motor oil following replacement of the cylinder head or the engine can lead to damage on the valve train .

After replacing the cylinder head or the engine, do not start the engine without observing the repair notes.
It is imperative you observe the REPAIR NOTES FOR CYLINDER HEAD OR ENGINE REPLACEMENT .

NOTE: TECHNICAL INFORMATION
Collect and dispose of emerging fluids. Observe country-specific waste disposal regulations.

Preliminary work

Refer to BRINGING FRONT COMPARTMENT LID IN THE SERVICE POSITION .
Refer to SUCTIONING THE AIR CONDITIONING .
Refer to DISCONNECTING ALL BATTERY GROUND LEADS .
Refer to REMOVING SUSPENSION STRUT BRACE .
Refer to REMOVING THE ACOUSTIC COVER .
Refer to REMOVING THE FRONT-END STRUT .
Refer to REMOVING THE CLEAN AIR PIPE FOR CYLINDERS 1 TO 3 .
Refer to REMOVING THE LEFT INTAKE FILTER HOUSING (FRONT-END STRUT REMOVED) .
Refer to REMOVING THE RIGHT INTAKE FILTER HOUSING (FRONT-END STRUT REMOVED) .
Refer to REMOVING CLEAN AIR PIPE CYLINDERS 4-6 .
Refer to REMOVING THE COVER FOR THE DME CONTROL UNIT .
Refer to REMOVING THE DME CONTROL UNIT .
Refer to REMOVING THE INTEGRATED SUPPLY MODULE (PDM) PARTIALLY .
Refer to REMOVING THE CONTROL UNIT HOLDER .
Refer to REMOVING SEALING FOR FRONT HOOD .
Refer to REMOVING THE COVER FOR THE CENTER ENGINE COMPARTMENT .
Refer to REMOVING UPPER CROSS CONNECTION .
Refer to REMOVING THE REAR TOP CROSS CONNECTION .
Refer to REMOVING THE FRONT SPOILER .
Refer to REMOVING THE FRONT UNDERBODY PROTECTION .
Refer to REMOVING THE LEFT AND RIGHT FRONT UNDERSHIELD .
Refer to REMOVING THRUST FIELD .
Refer to REMOVING THE RIGHT HAND FRONT BOTTOM SIDE COVER .
Refer to REMOVING THE FRONT BOTTOM SIDE COVER .
Refer to REMOVING FRONT LEFT OR RIGHT WHEEL .
Refer to REMOVING THE COVER OF THE STEERING ASSEMBLY ON THE LEFT AND RIGHT .
Refer to REMOVING THE FRONT SECTION OF THE FRONT WHEEL ARCH COVER ON THE LEFT AND RIGHT .
Refer to REMOVING THE REAR SECTION OF THE WHEEL ARCH COVER ON THE FRONT LEFT AND RIGHT .
Refer to PARTIALLY RELEASING THE ENGINE OIL COOLER .
Refer to DRAINING THE COOLANT FROM THE LOW-TEMPERATURE COOLING SYSTEM .
Refer to DRAINING THE COOLANT FOR THE HIGH-TEMPERATURE COOLANT CIRCUIT .
Refer to REMOVING THE CONNECTING SUPPORT FROM THE TUNNEL .
Refer to REMOVING EXHAUST SYSTEM .
Refer to REMOVING INTERMEDIATE PIPE .
Refer to REMOVING THE TANK COVER .
Refer to REMOVING THE LEFT THRUST FIELD .
Refer to LOOSENING THE WIRING HARNESS SECTION ON THE COVER OF THE TRANSMISSION CROSS MEMBER .
Refer to REMOVING THE REAR HEAT SHIELD .
Refer to REMOVING FRONT HEAT SHIELD .
Refer to PARTIALLY LOOSENING THE PROP SHAFT .
Refer to RELEASING THE GROUND STRAP FROM THE BODY .
Refer to REMOVING THE FAN COWL .
Refer to RELEASING THE AUTOMATIC OIL LINES FROM THE TRANSMISSION OIL COOLER .
Refer to REMOVING THE COOLANT EXPANSION TANK OF THE HIGH-TEMPERATURE COOLANT CIRCUIT .
Refer to REMOVING THE COOLANT EXPANSION TANK FOR THE LOW-TEMPERATURE COOLANT CIRCUIT .
Refer to DISCONNECTING THE COOLANT LINES .
Refer to RELEASING THE REFRIGERANT LINES AT THE AIR CONDITIONING COMPRESSOR .
Refer to RELEASING THE FUEL HOSE AND THE TANK VENTING LINE .
Refer to RELEASING THE POSITIVE BATTERY CABLES FROM THE REMOTE POSITIVE TERMINAL .
Refer to DETACHING THE WIRING HARNESS OF THE EPS FROM THE FRONT SUBFRAME .
Refer to LOOSENING THE ANTI-ROLL BAR LINK ON THE LEFT AND RIGHT FROM THE ANTI-ROLL BAR .
Refer to RELEASING THE STEERING SHAFT AT THE BOTTOM ON THE DOUBLE PIVOT .
Refer to DETACHING THE LINE CONNECTION OF THE RIDE HEIGHT SENSOR .
Refer to RELEASING THE WHEEL SPEED SENSOR AT THE LEFT FRONT AND RIGHT .
Refer to RELEASING THE LEFT FRONT AND RIGHT BRAKE HOSE AT THE HOLDER .
Refer to REMOVING THE LEFT FRONT AND RIGHT FRONT BRAKE VENTILATION DUCT .
Refer to RELEASING THE FRONT LEFT AND RIGHT BRAKE CALIPERS .
Refer to RELEASING THE SWIVEL BEARING AT THE LEFT FRONT AND RIGHT ON THE SPRING STRUT .
Refer to ADDING WEIGHT COMPENSATIONS TO VEHICLE .

Prepared lifting table

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WARNING: Car may slip off the vehicle hoist if the weight is distributed unevenly .
Danger! Immobilization period-threatening injuries!

Ensure there is a specific weight compensation on the car.

Prepare special tool 2 184 136 .

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Keep set of special tools 2 305 379 at hand:

Number	Description
10	Mount of swivel bearing with brake disc
20	Mounting element for adjustable mount
30	Adjustable stand
40	Distance pin 40 x 160 mm
50	Distance pin 40 x 110 mm
60	Distance pin 40 x 60 mm
70	Stand with U-profile
80	Round shaped mounting plate 100 mm

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Prepare the special tool 2 184 136:

Letter	Description
A	Panel for engine with coordinates
B	Panel for manual transmission with coordinates

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Position the adjustable mount (30) with the distance pin (60) for the front subframe on the panel (A) at the coordinates 7/1 and 7/8 .
Position the mount (10) on the panel (A) at the coordinates 4/1 and 5/8 .
Position the adjustable mount (30) with the U-profile (70) for the front subframe on the panel (A) at the coordinates 2/1 and 2/8 .
Position the adjustable mount (30) with the distance dimension (50) for the transmission housing on the panel (B) at the coordinates 8/3 and 8/6 .
Position the adjustable mount (30) with the round shaped mounting plate (80) at the transfer box at the coordinates 2/4 .

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Release the screws (1) on the front subframe (2) at the left front .

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Release the screws (1) on the front subframe (2) at the right front .

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Release nuts (1) .
Guide out and remove the heat shield (2) .

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Release nut (1) .
Loosen screws (2) .
Feed out and remove the transmission bearing support (3) .

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Position the lifting table under the vehicle.

Set the level (2) of the lifting table to the dimension (A) using the adjustment screw (1) .

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TECHNICAL DATA SPECIFICATION

Setting the level of the lifting table
Dimension A	40 mm

Position the lifting table with the distance pin (60) below the front subframe (1) at the right front .
Screw the mounts to the lifting table.

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Position the lifting table with the distance pin (60) below the front subframe (1) at the left front .
Screw the mounts to the lifting table.

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Position the lifting table with the U-profile (70) below the front subframe (1) at the right center .
Screw the mounts to the lifting table.

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Position the lifting table with the U-profile (70) below the front subframe (1) at the left center .
Screw the mounts to the lifting table.

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Position the lifting table with the space mandrel (60) below the automatic transmission (1) at the left front .
Screw the mounts to the lifting table.

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Position the lifting table with the distance pin (60) below the automatic transmission (1) at the right front .
Screw the mounts to the lifting table.

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Position the lifting table with the round shaped mounting plate (80) below the transfer box (1) at the rear .
Screw the mounts to the lifting table.

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Fasten the mount (1) on the brake disk at the left front with the lug bolts (2) .
Attach adjustment screw (3) .

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Fasten the mount (1) on the brake disk at the right front with the lug bolts (2) .
Attach adjustment screw (3) .

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Unscrew the screw (1) at the front subframe (2) at the right front with a standard tool (3) .

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Unscrew the screw (1) on the front subframe (2) at the left front with a standard tool (3) .

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Unscrew the screw (1) on the front subframe (2) at the left center .

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Unscrew the screw (1) on the front subframe (2) at the right center .

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Release the screws (1) and (2) on the front subframe (3) at the rear left .

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Release the screws (1) and (2) on the front subframe (3) at the right rear .

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Unscrew the screws (1) on left of the transmission cross member (2) .

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Unscrew the screws (1) on the right of the transmission cross member (2) .

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Keep special tool 2 414 636 at hand.

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Spread the swivel bearing (1) with the special tool 2 414 636 in arrow direction.
Detach the swivel bearing (1) from the spring strut (2) and set aside.

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Spread the swivel bearing (1) with the special tool 2 414 636 in arrow direction.
Detach the swivel bearing (1) from the spring strut (2) and set aside.

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CAUTION: Heavy component .
Heavy components can lead to injury or damage .

Remove and install heavy components with the aid of another person/other persons.

Lower the lifting table (1) slowly in arrow direction and pay attention to the free movement of all components.

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Mark (arrows) the position of the lifting table (1) on the workshop floor.
The marks (arrows) facilitate installation.

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Mark (arrows) the position of the lifting table (1) on the workshop floor.
The marks (arrows) facilitate installation.

Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.