26 11 000 Removing and installing complete propeller shaft (constant-velocity joint)

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.

IMPORTANT: Rear axle differential M3 (S65) is balanced.
Therefore the following points must be observed with the M3.
Non-compliance can lead to humming noises!

NOTE: For all other vehicle types continue with the required preliminary work.

M3 vehicles with marked rear axle final drive on outside of drive flange (color dot) (1):

white dot (1): no measures required
blue dot (1): Measures absolutely required
yellow dot (1): Measures absolutely required

Fig 1: Identifying Marking On Inner And Outer Side Of Drive Flange
Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.

IMPORTANT: If a measure is required, the rear axle final drive must be identified before the screw connection based on the following instructions.
There are two systems for the screw connection on drive flange of the rear axle final drive.

System A:

Color coding (2) in interior cone of the drive flange.

System B:

NO color coding (2) in interior cone of drive flange.

The color dots on the exterior of the drive flange are assigned to the respective bolting point and mean that the corresponding measure must be installed here.

System A:

Yellow mark (1) - install green shiny bolt (2)
Blue mark (1) - install black bolt (2)

Fig 2: Identifying Bolts And Marking On Propeller Shaft
Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.

System B:

Blue mark (1) - black washer (2) between screw head and shim
Yellow mark (1) - silver washer (2) between screw head and shim
Washer

Catalogue MG 26

Fig 3: Identifying Washer With Marking

G06921451

Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.

IMPORTANT:

With four-wheel drive and on renewal only:

according to installation with BMW diagnosis and information system under control unit function

Perform functional check of transfer box (calibration)

Necessary preliminary tasks

Remove rear underbody protection
Remove complete EXHAUST SYSTEM
Remove heat shields

Release screws.

Installation note:

ZNS bolts and nuts must be replaced.

Replace self-locking nuts.

TIGHTENING TORQUE, 26 11 1AZ .

Fig 4: Locating ZNS Bolts

G04748979

Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.

Release screws.

Replace screws and shims.

Fig 5: Locating Propeller Shaft Screws

G04748980

Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.

With a screwdriver, press constant-velocity joint (at the disassembly grooves) off input flange.

Fig 6: Pressing Constant Velocity Joint Of Drive Flange Using Screwdriver

G04748981

Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.

IMPORTANT: Do not let propeller shaft fall into joints.
Joints and rubber sleeve on constant-velocity joint can be damaged.

Fig 7: Locating Joints And Rubber Sleeve On Constant-Velocity Joint

G04748982

Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.

Hold down propeller shaft on center mount (1) and release screws.

TIGHTENING TORQUE, 26 11 6AZ .

Fig 8: Locating Centre Mount Screws

G04748983

Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.

Bend propeller shaft downwards on center bearing.

Remove propeller shaft from transmission output flange and remove constant-velocity joint from rear axle differential.

Fig 9: Bending Propeller Shaft On Centre Bearing

G04755782

Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.

Installation note

Pull out constant velocity joint (1), up to limit position.

Install shim.

Attach propeller shaft with constant-velocity joint pulled apart to drive flange of rear axle differential.

Alternately tighten 2 opposing screws to draw constant-velocity joint evenly into the input flange.

Replace ZNS bolts and shims.

TIGHTENING TORQUE, 26 11 4AZ .

Fig 10: Pulling Constant-Velocity Joint

G04755783

Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.

Installation note

Check centering mount (4).

REPLACE DAMAGED CENTERING MOUNT .

Grease centering mount.

See PROPELLER SHAFT - OPERATING FLUIDS

Fig 11: Identifying Centering Mount

G06921459

Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.