33 41 000 Replacing drive flange on left/right rear axle shaft

WARNING: This page is about a different car, the 2009 BMW 550i and 2008 BMW 550i. However, it is still accessible from the selected car via links, so may be relevant.

Special tools required:

33 2 116 . See REAR AXLE - SPECIAL TOOLS .
33 2 160
33 2 201
33 4 200

Remove rear wheel .

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

Release collar nut, activate handbrake for this purpose.

Installation:

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

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

Tightening torque 33 41 3AZ . See 33 41 WHEEL BEARINGS .

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

Fig 1: Locating Collar Nut

Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.

Remove brake disk . See 34 21 320 REMOVING AND INSTALLING OR REPLACING BOTH REAR BRAKE DISCS .

Force drive flange with special tools 33 2 116 / 33 2 201, 33 2 160 , 33 4 200 and 5 wheel bolts out of wheel bearing.

NOTE: Rounded inside edge of special tool 33 2 160 must point to drive flange.

Fig 2: Identifying Special Tool On Drive Flange

Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.

IMPORTANT: The wheel bearing is destroyed when the drive flange is removed and cannot be reused!

Replace wheel bearing .

Installation:

Oil drive flange lightly and attach to splines of output shaft.

Draw drive flange into wheel bearing .

After installation:

Adjust handbrake . See 34 10 014 ADJUSTING HANDBRAKE .