33 10 016 Removing and installing/replacing rear axle differential (220M) (M6)

Special tools required: 

• 33 5 206
• 33 5 120
• 33 5 126
• 33 5 122
• 23 4 050
• 00 2 030
• 31 5 220
• 33 4 050
• 33 5 127
• 23 4 0150
• 23 4 150

Necessary preliminary tasks: 

• Remove EXHAUST SYSTEM .
• Remove REAR WHEELS .
• Remove rear trailing links.
• Remove SUPPORT .
• Partially remove PROPELLER SHAFT .
  • Disconnect propeller shaft at rear axle differential.
  • Release center mount.
  • Tie up propeller shaft to underbody.
    NOTE: Bending the propeller shaft by an excessive angle can cause premature damage to the joint/propeller shaft!

Disconnect the plug connection (3) from the temperature sensor.

Release the cable clip (2) of the sensor cable (1) from the oil sump.

Fig 1: Identifying Temperature Sensor Plug Connections And Cable Clip

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Disconnect the plug connection (1) from the servomotor of the rear axle differential (2).

Fig 2: Identifying Rear Axle Differential And Plug Connections

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Release screw (1) from ground strap (2).

Fig 3: Identifying Ground Strap And Screw

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Release bolt (1) on left (2) shock absorber.

Tightening torque 33 52 3AZ .

Release shock absorber (2) from wheel carrier (3).

Fig 4: Identifying Shock Absorber, Wheel Carrier Bolt

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Special tools 33 5 120 and 33 5 126 must be inserted in all-round slot (1) on output shaft!

Fig 5: Identifying Output Shaft Slot

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Press out left output shaft approx. 5 cm out of rear axle differential with jerky movements using special tool 33 5 120 with shaped element 33 5 126 .

The thrust piece of the bolt 33 5 122 positioned against the rear axle final drive unit (see arrow).

Fig 6: Positioning Rear Axle Final Drive Unit

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23 4 050 Position special tool on workshop jack. 00 2 030

23 4 050 Support rear axle final drive unit with special tool.

Secure rear axle differential to special tool 23 4 050 with tensioning straps (1).

Fig 7: Positioning Special Tool (23 4 050)

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Unscrew nuts (1).

Remove the screws and the tuned mass damper weight (2).

Installation note: 

replace screws and nuts (1).

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

Fig 8: Identifying Rear Axle Differential Absorber Weight And Nut

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Slacken nut (1).

Remove screw.

Installation note: 

Replace nut (1).

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

Fig 9: Identifying Axle Differential Adapter Nut And Screw

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Secure special tool 31 5 220 with wheel studs to right drive flange.

Press right-hand wheel carrier max. approx. 10 cm upwards.

Fig 10: Securing Special Tool (31 5 220)

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Lower rear axle final drive with special tools 33 4 050 and 00 2 030 .

Fig 11: Pressing Lower Rear Axle Final Drive Using Special Tools (33 4 050)

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Press front of final drive unit to the right.

Feed out left output shaft forwards and tie up.

Swing rear axle final drive towards left side.

Fig 12: Press Front Final Drive Unit

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Press out right output shaft out of rear axle differential with jerky movements using special tool 33 5 120 and shaped element 33 5 126 .

Here, thrust piece of bolt 33 5 122 must rest on rear axle final drive.

Feed right output shaft out of rear axle final drive and tie up.

Remove rear axle final drive.

Fig 13: Pressing Right Output Shaft Out Of Rear Axle Differential

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Assembly: 

Fig 14: Identifying Dust Plate, Circlip And Output Shaft Contact Surface

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Insert right output shaft into rear axle final drive unit.

Pull out assembly protection ring at lug (1) until one of the two predetermined breaking points gives.

Fig 15: Identifying Assembly Protection Ring Lug

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Special tool 33 5 127 must be fitted in all-round slot on output shaft.

Fig 16: Identifying Output Shaft Slot

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Drive output shaft with special tool 33 5 127 and a rubber mallet into rear axle final drive.

Fig 17: Tapping Output Shaft Using Special Tool (33 5 127)

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Press front of final drive unit to the right.

Working from the front, fit left output shaft into rear axle final drive unit.

Pull out assembly protection ring at lug until one of the two predetermined rupture points gives.

Drive output shaft with special tool 33 5 127 and a rubber mallet into rear axle final drive.

Fig 18: Pressing Front Final Drive Unit

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Tightening sequence:

1. Press rear axle differential (2) towards top with workshop jack and special tool 23 4 0150.
2. Screw in screw and new nut (3) (do not apply tightening force).
3. Screw in new screws with absorber weight and new nuts (1) (do not apply tightening force).
4. Release tensioning strap and lower special tool 23 4 150 and move away.
5. Apply tightening force to screws and nuts (1).

   Tightening torque 33 17 1AZ .

6. Apply tightening force to screw and nut (3).

   Tightening torque 33 17 2AZ .

   Fig 19: Identifying Rear Axle Differential Fasteners

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After installation: 

• Check OIL LEVEL IN THE REAR AXLE FINAL DRIVE , correct if necessary.
• Replacement: Perform START-UP .