33 10 010 Removing and installing/replacing rear differential (M3)

WARNING: This page is about a different car, the 2011 BMW M3, 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.

WARNING: Risk of injury!
33 5 206 Rear differential must be lashed with tightening strap to prevent it falling out when the output shafts are forced off.

IMPORTANT: Rear axle differential M3 (S65) is balanced.
For this reason, the following steps during M3 must observed.

Failure to comply with this instruction may give rise to humming noises!

NOTE: For all other vehicles types, the following required preliminary work applies.

M3 For vehicles with marked rear axle drive, the following colored dots indicate (1):

white dot (1): no action required
blue dot (1): Maβaction mandatory
yellow dot (1): Maβaction mandatory

Fig 1: Identifying Dots On Rear Axle Drive And Color Marking Of Drive Flange

Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.

IMPORTANT: If an action is mandatory, the rear axle differential must be identified according the following instruction and prior to fastening all bolts.
There are two methods to bolt the drive flange of the rear axle differential.

Method A:

color marking (2) inside inner cone of drive flange.

Method B:

NO color marking (2) inside inner cone of drive flange.

Colored dots on the outside of the flange are assigned to the respective fastening dot and refer to the specific method that must be used.

Method A:

blue marking (1) - install shiny green screw (2)
yellow marking (1) - install black screw (2)

Fig 2: Identifying Marking On Drive Flange With Screw

Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.

Method B:

blue marking (1) - place black washer (2) between bolt head and spacer
yellow marking (1) - place silver washer (2) between bolt head and spacer

Fig 3: Identifying Marking On Drive Flange With Bolt

Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.

Necessary preliminary tasks:

Remove PROPELLER SHAFT FROM REAR DIFFERENTIAL and tie back
Remove both OUTPUT SHAFTS FROM REAR DIFFERENTIAL and tie back

33 5 200 FIXTURE . Position special tool on workshop jack.

33 5 200 FIXTURE . Support rear differential with special tool.

33 5 206, 33 5 200 FIXTURE . Lash rear differential with tightening strap to special tool.

Release screws (1, 2).

00 2 030 DEVICE . Slowly lower workshop jack.

Fig 4: Identifying Workshop Jack Screw

Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.

IMPORTANT: Adhere to the following installation sequence in order to prevent distortion of the rear differential during installation and thereby avoid potential complaints about noise.

Installation sequence

33 5 200 FIXTURE . Install rear differential with workshop lifter and special tool in rear axle carrier
Insert bolts (1) (do not tighten down)
Insert bolt (2) from rear and replace nut (do not tighten down)
00 2 030 DEVICE . Lower workshop jack

Fig 5: Identifying Workshop Jack Bolts
Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.
Tighten down screws (1)
Tightening torque 33 17 1AZ . .
Tighten down screw (2)

Tightening torque 33 17 1AZ .

After installation

Check REAR DIFFERENTIAL OIL LEVEL , correct if necessary.