33 11 021 Replacing shaft seal for input flange on rear differential

WARNING: This page is about a different car, the 2010 BMW M3, 2009 BMW M3, and 2008 BMW M3. However, it is still accessible from the selected car via links, so may be relevant.

Special tools required:

00 5 010
00 5 500

See MAINTENANCE AND GENERAL INFORMATION - SPECIAL TOOLS .

23 0 020
23 1 300
23 1 302
23 1 303

See MANUAL TRANSMISSION - SPECIAL TOOLS

31 2 101
31 2 102
31 2 103
31 2 104

See FRONT AXLE - SPECIAL TOOLS

33 1 150
33 1 341
33 3 390
33 3 440
33 3 470
33 3 480
33 3 490

See REAR AXLE - SPECIAL TOOLS .

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 and tie back

Removing drive flange:

Lift out retaining plate.

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

Fig 1: Identifying Collar Nut

Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.

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

Fig 2: Releasing Collar Nut

Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.

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

215L / 215LW / 215 with lock:

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

Fig 3: Removing Drive Flange With Special Tools

Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.

168L / 188L / 188LW:

Remove drive flange with special tool 33 1 150 .

Fig 4: Locating Drive Flange Bolts

Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.

Replacing shaft seal:

Withdraw shaft seal with special tool 00 5 010 .

Fig 5: Removing Shaft Seal

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 / 188LW: Use special tools 00 5 500 and 33 3 470
215L / 215LW / 215 with lock: Use special tools 00 5 500 and 33 3 440

Fig 6: Installing Shaft Seal

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: Installing Drive Flange

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: Identifying Collar Nut

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 / 188LW: Use special tools 00 5 500 and 33 3 480
215L / 215LW / 215 with lock: Use special tools 00 5 500 and 33 3 490

Fig 9: Installing Retaining Plate

Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.

After installation:

Correct rear differential fluid level . See 00 11 ... CHECKING/TOPPING UP OIL LEVEL IN REAR DIFFERENTIAL (M3) .