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

WARNING: This page does not describe the selected car, but rather 11 other vehicles, including the 2013 BMW 328i, 2012 BMW 328i, 2011 BMW 328i, 2010 BMW 335i, and 2010 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: Mark Position And Drive Shaft Collar Nut

Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.

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

Fig 2: Special Tool (23 0 020)

Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.

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: Special Tools (31 2 101), (31 2 103), (31 2 104), (31 2 102) And Removal Directions

Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.

168L, 188L:

Remove drive flange with special tool 33 1 150.

Fig 4: Bolts, Special Tool (33 1 150) And Removal Directions

Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.

Replacing shaft seal:

Withdraw shaft seal with special tool 00 5 010.

Fig 5: Special Tool (00 5 010)

Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.

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: Special Tools (00 5 500), (33 3 440), (33 3 470) And (33 3 390)
Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.

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

Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.

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: Collar Nut And Alignment Marks

Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.

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: Special Tools (00 5 500), (33 3 480) And (33 3 490)
Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.

After installation:

Correct rear differential fluid level