33 11 021 Replacing shaft seal for input flange on final drive

WARNING: This page does not describe the selected car, but rather 9 other vehicles, including the 2008 BMW 335i, 2008 BMW 328i, 2008 BMW 323i, 2007 BMW 335i, and 2007 BMW 328i. However, it is still accessible from the selected car via links, so may be relevant.

Special tools required:

00 5 010
00 5 500
23 0 020
23 1 300
23 1 302
23 1 303
31 2 101
31 2 102
31 2 103
31 2 104
33 1 150
33 1 341
33 3 390
33 3 440
33 3 470
33 3 480
33 3 490

IMPORTANT: Use only approved gear oils.

Failure to comply with this instruction will result in serious damage to the rear differential!

Necessary preliminary tasks:

Remove Propeller Shaft From Rear Differential Drive Flange , remove complete propeller shaft if necessary

Removing drive flange:

Lift out retaining plate.

Mark position of collar nut (1) on drive shaft with peening tool.

Fig 1: Identifying Drive Flange Collar Nut

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Brace drive flange with special tool 23 0 020 and release collar nut.

Fig 2: Bracing Drive Flange With Special Tool (23 0 020)

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NOTE: Read and comply with document "Rear differential: Assignment to model series".

215L:

Remove drive flange with special tools 31 2 101, 31 2 102, 31 2 103 / 31 2 104.

Fig 3: Identifying Special Tools (31 2 101), (31 2 102), (31 2 103) And ( 31 2 104)

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168L, 188L:

Remove drive flange with special tool 33 1 150.

Fig 4: Removing Drive Flange With Special Tool (33 1 150)

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Replacing shaft seal:

Withdraw shaft seal with special tool 00 5 010.

Fig 5: Removing Shaft Seal With Special Tool (00 5 010)

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Drive in new shaft seal with following special tools (depending on rear differential) as far as it will go.

168L: Use special tools 00 5 500 and 33 3 390
188L: Use special tools 00 5 500 and 33 3 470
215L: Use special tools 00 5 500 and 33 3 440

Fig 6: Identifying Special Tools (33 3 390), ( 33 3 440), (33 3 470) And (00 5 500)
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Installing drive flange:

Coat sealing lips of shaft seal and sealing surface of drive flange with differential oil.

Fit drive flange.

Press on drive flange with special tools 23 1 300, 33 1 341 and 23 1 303, if necessary 23 1 302 until collar nut can be screwed on.

Fig 7: Identifying Special Tools (23 1 300), (23 1 302), (33 1 341) And (23 1 303)

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IMPORTANT: Do not under any circumstances tighten down collar nut beyond marker points in order to avoid damaging the clamping sleeve.

Tighten down collar nut (1) to point where marker points are aligned.

Fig 8: Identifying Flange Collar Nut Marker

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Drive in new retaining plate with following special tools (depending on rear differential) as far as it will go.

168L: 188L: Use special tools 00 5 500 and 33 3 480
215L: Use special tools 00 5 500 and 33 3 490

Fig 9: Identifying Special Tools (00 5 500), (33 3 480) And (33 3 490)
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After installation:

Correct Rear Differential Fluid Level