33 11 021 Replacing radial shaft seal for drive flange on rear axle final drive

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Special tools required:

00 5 010
33 5 050
33 5 060
33 5 070
33 5 080
00 5 500
33 3 390
33 3 470
33 3 440

IMPORTANT: Use only approved gearbox oils. See REAR AXLE - OPERATING FLUIDS .
Failure to comply with this instruction will result in serious damage to the rear axle final drive!

Necessary preliminary tasks:

Remove propeller shaft at final drive . See 26 11 000 COMPLETELY REMOVING AND INSTALLING PROPELLER SHAFT (INSERTED - REAR FLEXIBLE DISC) (WITHOUT VIBRATION ABSORBER) or 26 11 000 REMOVING AND REFITTING COMPLETE PROPELLER SHAFT (PUSH-FIT - FLEXIBLE JOINT AT REAR) (WITH VIBRATION ABSORBER) .
- 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!

Remove retaining clip (1) and sunk nut (2) with diaphragm seal.

Fig 1: Identifying Retaining Clip And Nut

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Mark position of flange nut (1) to bevel pinion (2).

Fig 2: Identifying Flange Nut And Bevel Pinion

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Heat the flange nut using a hot air blower.

NOTE: Do not heat to above the amount required to loosen the nut. Do not use an open flame (e.g. an oxyacetylene torch) for heating.

Release flange nut anticlockwise with special tools 33 5 050 and 33 5 070 by gripping the bevel pinion with special tools 33 5 060 and 33 5 070 .

Fig 3: Removing Flange Nut Using Special Tools (33 5 050 And 33 5 070)

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Pull out radial shaft seal with special tool 00 5 010.

Fig 4: Pulling Out Radial Shaft Seal Using Special Tool (00 5 010)

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Drive in new radial shaft seal with the following special tools (depending on REAR AXLE FINAL DRIVE ) until limit position.

168LW: Use special tools 00 5 500 and 33 3 390
188LW: Use special tools 00 5 500 and 33 3 470
215LW: Use special tool 00 5 500 and 33 3 440 (new number 33 5 080 )

Fig 5: Inserting Radial Shaft Seal Using Special Tool (33 3 390)
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Clean bevel pinion thoroughly to remove remnants of screw locking agent.

Fig 6: Identifying Bevel Pinion

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Check dust plate for damage, replace if necessary.

IMPORTANT: Clean flange nut thoroughly to remove remnants of grease and screw locking agent.
Pack collar insert (1) of flange nut with grease.
Apply a thin coating of grease to shaded area (2) of flange nut.
Coat at least four thread turns of the flange nut with
"Drei Bond adhesive type 1385". See BMW-SPECIFIED GREASE (FLANGE) .

Fig 7: Identifying Collar Insert And Flange Nut Shaded Area

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IMPORTANT: In order to avoid damaging the rear axle final drive, do not under any circumstances tighten down the flange nut (1) beyond the marker point of the bevel pinion (2).

Fig 8: Identifying Flange Nut And Bevel Pinion

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Place insert nut (2) with diaphragm seal in flange nut.

Introduce retaining clip (1).

Fig 9: Identifying Insert Nut And Retaining Clip

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After installation:

Check TRANSMISSION OIL LEVEL , correct if necessary.