33 11 091 Replacing Drive Flange On Left Or Right Of Rear Differential

WARNING: This page does not describe the selected car, but rather 10 other vehicles, including the 2010 BMW 535xi, 2010 BMW 528xi, 2009 BMW 535xi, 2009 BMW 528xi, and 2008 BMW 535xi. However, it is still accessible from the selected car via links, so may be relevant.

WARNING: Risk of burning on the exhaust system!

IMPORTANT: When replacing the drive flange, you must also replace the shaft seal!

Necessary preliminary tasks:

Remove output shaft (left) or output shaft (right) from rear differential and tie back

Drive out drive flange.

Installation:

Insert drive flange and rotate until spline on flange meshes with teeth on differential bevel gear.

Press drive flange in further until circlip locates with an audible click.

Fig 1: Removing Drive Flange

Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.

IMPORTANT: High installation forces indicate that the spline teeth on the drive flange/differential bevel gear are damaged/deformed!
Check spline teeth, replaced damaged parts.

Install retaining ring (1).

Installation:

Clean shaft seal race on drive flange thoroughly.

Coat drive flange at contact face of shaft seal with approved rear differential oil.

Fig 2: Identifying Retaining Ring

Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.

Replacement:

Replace shaft seal .

After installation:

Correct gearbox oil level/change differential oil