Special tools required:

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31 5 110 . See 31 5 110 REMOVAL FORK

IMPORTANT: Risk of damage!
Do not drive output shaft out of wheel hub with an impact tool.

Remove front wheel . See 36 10 300 REMOVING OR INSTALLING FRONT OR REAR WHEEL .

IMPORTANT: Expand turning lock sufficiently to avoid damaging thread when releasing collar nut.

Release collar nut; to do so, press brake pedal to floor.

Installation:

Replace collar nut, oil collar nut/wheel bearing contact surface only and tighten down.

No oil permitted on thread of shaft journal or collar nut.

Tightening torque 31 21 2AZ. See 31 21 WHEEL BEARINGS AND STEERING KNUCKLE .

Fig 1: Locating Turning Lock

Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.

Secure collar nut by positive peening on flat areas of output shaft.

Remove reinforcement plate. See 31 10 010 Removing and Installing/Replacing Reinforcement Plate (AWD) .

Remove tie rod end from swivel bearing. See 32 21 151 REPLACING LEFT OR RIGHT TIE ROD .

Right side only: Remove guide joint from swivel bearing. See 31 12 026 Removing and Installing/Replacing Guide Joint In Swivel Bearing (AWD) .

Remove control arm from swivel bearing. See 31 12 000 Removing and Installing/Replacing Left Or Right Control Arm (AWD) .

Remove stabilizer link from spring strut. See 31 35 005 Removing and Installing/Replacing Push Rod (Stabilizer Link) for Left or Right Stabilizer (AWD) .

Turn swivel bearing to one side.

Press output shaft out of wheel hub. See 31 60 ... Pressing Output Shaft Out of Drive Flange (Wheel Hub) and Drawing in and tie up.

Front differential:

Press output shaft with special tool 31 5 110 . See 31 5 110 REMOVAL FORK out of front differential and remove.

Installation:

Replace shaft seal in front differential. See 31 51 015 Replacing Shaft Seal for Left Output Shaft and coat sealing lips with front differential oil.

Replace retaining ring and slide in output shaft over resistance of retaining ring. Output shaft must snap audibly into place.

Fig 2: Identifying Special Tool 31 5 110

Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.

IMPORTANT: High installation forces indicate that the spline teeth on the output shaft/rear differential side gear are damaged/deformed!
Check spline teeth, replaced damaged parts.

Bearing block:

Press output shaft with special tool 31 5 110. See 31 5 110 REMOVAL FORK out of bearing block and remove.

Installation:

Replace shaft seal in bearing block. See 31 51 020 Replacing Shaft Seal for Right Output Shaft and coat sealing lips with front differential oil.

Replace retaining ring and slide in output shaft over resistance of retaining ring. Output shaft must snap audibly into place.

IMPORTANT: High installation forces indicate that the spline teeth on the output shaft/rear differential side gear are damaged/deformed!
Check spline teeth, replaced damaged parts.

Fig 3: Identifying Special Tool 31 5 110 And Bearing Block

Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.

After installation:

Check front differential oil level. See 31 50 ... Changing Front Differential Oil , correct if necessary