26 11 000 Removing and installing complete propeller shaft (flexible disc at rear)

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IMPORTANT:

The three-hole flange to the rear axle differential is balanced with the flexible disc and propeller shaft.

Three-hole flange, flexible disc and propeller shaft may not be disassembled.

The propeller shaft may only be released at the sunk nut at the rear.

The recessed nut must be opened in clockwise direction .

Replacement of the sunk nut on the rear axle differential is mandatory!

The sunk nut already has a screw locking.

After the propeller shaft has been screwed into the rear axle final drive (sunk nut), a hardening time of at least 2 hours is absolutely necessary.

The hardening time may be extended at lower temperatures!

Failure to comply with these instructions may cause serious damage!

Necessary preliminary work:

Remove complete EXHAUST SYSTEM
Remove heat shields

IMPORTANT: Adhere to installation sequence and screw-fastening sequence.

Installation sequence:

Join output shaft to transmission
Join output shaft to rear axle final drive
Join center mount

Screw-fastening sequence:

Flexible disc to transmission
Flexible disc to rear axle final drive
Center mount

IMPORTANT:

To avoid buzzing sound after refitting the propeller shaft:

The flexible disc connection (1) on the front at the propeller shaft must be marked in one plane with the flexible disc (2) and the three-bolt flange (3) before removal.
During installation the three-bolt flange (3) must be forced back together again with the flexible disc (2) in the same position.
Replace ZNS bolts and self-locking nuts.

Fig 1: Identifying Disc Connection, Flexible Disc And Three-Bolt Flange

Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.

If necessary:

Release screws (1).

Remove cover (2).

Fig 2: Identifying Cover And Screws

Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.

Release screws.

Installation note:

Replace ZNS bolts and self-locking nuts.
Grip mounting bolts of flexible disc at nuts and tighten down by way of bolts.

Fig 3: Identifying Flexible Disc Screws
Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.

NOTE: Instead of conventional rubber flexible disks, F series also use aluminium flexible discs, which are also called EGG (constant velocity joints).

Fig 4: Identifying Conventional Rubber Flexible Disks

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Installation note:

Check centering mount.

If necessary, replace damaged CENTER BEARING .

Grease centering mount.

See SPECIFIED GREASE .

Fig 5: Locating Centering Mount
Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.

Installation note:

Tighten down screws/bolts to specified torque.

Secure angle of rotation special tool 00 9 120 with magnets 00 9 130 to vehicle underbody and screw down further according to angle of rotation.

Tightening torque 26 11 1AZ .

Fig 6: Securing Angle Of Rotation Special Tool (00 9 120) With Magnets (009130 Magnet) To Vehicle Underbody

Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.

N63 engine:

Release screws (1).

Remove panel (2).

Fig 7: Identifying Propeller Shaft Panel And Screws

Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.

Slacken screws (1)

Tightening torque 26 11 5AZ .

Using a suitable tool (2), secure propeller shaft at center universal joint against turning.

Remove screws of center mount fully only after opening insert nut.

Fig 8: Securing Propeller Shaft

Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.

Installation note:

With N54 or N55 engine:

Propeller shaft center bearing (1) is identified with the labelling TOP.

Propeller shaft center bearing (1) must be installed with the labelling facing upward in transmission tunnel.

Fig 9: Identifying Propeller Shaft Center Bearing With Labelling Top

Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.

IMPORTANT:

The bi-hexagonal flange nut (1) must not be used for counter-hold.

Failure to comply with this instruction may result in serious damage to the rear axle final drive.

IMPORTANT:

The sunk nut must be opened clockwise - see direction of arrow.

Turning the recessed nut in counter-clockwise direction will automatically tighten the recessed nut further and significantly damage the bi-hexagonal flange nut.

If the insert collar of the flange nut was damaged, the propeller shaft can no longer be secured using a new sunk nut and the rear axle differential must be replaced.

Fig 10: Removing Bi-Hexagonal Flange Nut