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331-2
Final Drive
This repair group covers removal and repair informat~on for
the final drive (differential), axle shafts.
CV joints, CV joint
boots, and final drive seal replacement.
Internal repairs of the differential assembly are not covered in
this manual.
Special tools
BMW recommends some special tools for the removal of the
drive axles as well as the installation of rear differential input
and output drive flange seals. Some common pullers and
drifts can often be substituted for these tools.
4 Drive flange holder
(Tool No. BMW
2 30 020)
< Drive flange puller
(ToolNo.BMW31 2101 131 2102131 2103131 2104)
< Drive pinion set
(Tool No. BMW 33 1 340)
4 Clamp~ng tool set
(ToolNo.BMW332101 13321021332103)

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Final Drive
Tightening torques
F~nal drive to rear axle carrier 105 Nm (77 it-lb)
Driveshaft CV joint to final drive flange
- MlO (Torx bolt) 70
Nm (51 ft-lb)
- M8 (compression nut) 32 Nm (24
ft-lb)
Drive axle to final drive
ilange
Torx bolts (M10) 83 Nm (61 ft-lb)
Torx bolt with
rlbbed teeth (M10) 64 Nm (47 ft-lb)
Torx bolt
wlth ribbed teeth (MI0 sliver) 80 Nm (59 ft-lb)
Torx
bolt with ribbed teeth (M10 black) 100 Nm (74 ft-lb)
* Torx bolt with ribbed teeth (M12) 135 Nm (100 ft-lb)
Differential oil level, checking
The E39 differential is filled with lifetime oil that ordinarily
does not need to be changed. BMW recommends using only
a specially formulated synthetic gear oil
(SAF-XO) that is
available through an authorized BMW dealer parts depart-
ment. For additional information on this lubricant and any oth-
er lubricants that may be compatible, contact an authorized
BMW dealer service department.
< Check rear differential oil level at filler plug (arrow).
- Check lubricant level with car on a level surface:
Level is correct when fluid just reaches edge of filler hole.
If necessary, top up fluid.
* Replace filler plug sealing ring.
Install and tighten oil filler plug when oil level is correct.
NOTE-
Use either a 14 mm or 17 mm Allen socket to remove the
drain plug.
If car is raised in the air. it should be level when
checkino " or filling final drive fluid level.
- Tightening torque -
Filler plug to final drive housing 70 Nm (52
ft-lb) -

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Final ~rivel
4 Remove staked collar nut and press output shafl out of wheel
hub with special
BMW tool 33 2 111/116/117.
- Remove drive axle.
- Installation is reverse of removal, noting the following:
Use a new collar nut.
a Apply a light coating of oil to contact face of collar nut and
install it loosely.
* Install road wheel and lower car to ground.
- With an assistant applying brakes, tighten drive axle collar
nut to its final torque.
Stake collar nut.
Tightening torques
-
Drive axle collar nut to drive flange M27 300 Nrn (221 ft-lb)
Drive axle to differential flange
* M10x20 rnm black Torx bolt
83 Nrn (61 ft-lb)
M10x20 rnrn silver Torx bolt
100 Nrn (74 ft-lb)
Road wheel to hub 120 Nrn f 10 (89 ft-lbf7)
Drive axle, removing and installing
(Sport Wagon)
4 With an assistant applying brakes, brealc free staked collar
nut (arrow) at center of rear wheel hub. Do not remove com-
pletely.
NOJE-
The drive flange collar nut is tightened to a torque of over 300
Nm (221 ft-lb). Make sure the car is firmly on the ground.
WARNING -
Disable airsupply pump (if applicable) by disconnecting elec-
tricalplug before performing any repairs. Pump is located be-
neath a cover under the spare tire
in the floor of the cargo
compartment.
- Raise rear of car. Remove rear wheel.
WARNING -
Malce sure that the car is firmly supported on jack stands de-
signed for the purpose. Place the jack stands beneath struc-
tural chassis points. Do not place jack stands under
suspension parts.
- Models with rear coil springs: Remove cargo compartment
floor carpet.

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331-16
I Final Drive
Worlting at top of coil spring, press center cap down or pry
upward to remove. If pushed down, remove from inside coil
spring.
4 Worlting from underneath, position BMW special tool 33 2
301
between 2nd and 3rd spring coil from the bottom.
Make sure tool recess faces upward.
Worlting in cargo compartment, guide BMW special tool
33
2 304
from above and thread into special tool 33 2 301.
4 Worlting in cargo compartment, attach BMW special tools 33
2 302.33
2 303 and 33 2 305 to special tool 33 2 304.
- Use special tool 33 2 306 to compress spring.
Tighten until lower spring end lifts off spring seat on wheel
bearing carrier.
- Model with air springs: Loosen compressed air pipes at air
distribution assembly to release system pressure.
WARNING-
The vehicle will lower when tlie airpipes are loosened.
- Remove final drive. See Final drive, removing and install-
ing.

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331-17
Final ~rivel
4 Remove staked collar nut and press output shaft out of wheel
hub with special
BMW tool 33 2 11 111 161117.
- Remove drive axle
- Installation is reverse of removal, noting the following:
* Use a new collar nut.
- Apply a light coating of oil to contact face of collar nut and
install it loosely.
Install road wheel and lower car to ground.
* With an assistant applying brakes, tighten drive axle collar
nut to its final torque.
Stake collar nut.
Tightening
torques
Drive axle collar nut to drive flange M24
300 Nrn (221 ft-lb)
Drive axle collar nut to drive flange M27
300 Nrn (221 ft-lb)
Drive axle to differential flange
M10x20 rnrn blaclc Torx bolt 83 Nrn (61 it-lb)
- M10x20 rnrn silver Torx bolt loo Nrn (74 ft-lb)
Road wheel to hub
120 Nrn+lO (89tt-lbi-7)
CV joint boots
NOTE-
When replacing a CVjoint boot, use a complete CVjoint
boot repair kit. The lit will include a new boot, clamping
bands, special lubricant, and a new inner CV joint circlip.
The lit is available from an authorized
BMW dealerparts
department.
The outer CVjoint cannot be removed from the axle
shaft
In order to replace the outer CV boot, it is necessary to re-
move the inner joint and boot first.
If the
CVjoints are worn or defective, a complete rebuilt
axle shaft is available from an authorized
BMW dealer
parts department.
- Remove appropriate axle shaft. See Drive axle, removing
and installing (sedan), or Drive axle, removing and in-
stalling (Sport Wagon).
- Working with axle shaft at bench, cut off old boot clamps and
remove boot. Clean old grease off joint and shaft. Use new
grease from CV joint boot kit.
4 Remove dust cover from CV joint and remove circlip (arrow)
retaining joint inner hub to axle shaft.

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This repair group covers brake service:
Brake pads, calipers, and disks
Master cylinder, bralte booster, and parking brake
ABS
1 ASC and ABS / DSC component replacement
ABS
1 ASC and ABS 1 DSC system descriptions are covered
in
300 Suspension, Steering and Brakes - General.
Special Tools
BMW requires the use of either the DIS or the MoDiC diag-
nostic tool to safely and completely bleed the
brak~ng and
traction control systems. Read all procedures through before
beginning a job.
< Parking bralte cable adjusting tool
(Tool No. BMW 34
1 030)
4 Brake piston expander
(Tool No. BMW 34
1 050)
4 Bralte caliper bolt tool (7 mrn Allen)
(Tool No. BMW 34
1 080)
34 I 000
34 1 090 < Steel wire brush
7 (Tool No. BMW 34 1 090)

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Brakes
Troubleshooting
Brake performance is mainly affected by three things:
Q Level and condition of brake fluid
Ability of bralte system to create and maintain pressure
Condition of friction components
Air in bralte fluid will
make the brake pedal feel spongy during
braking
orwill increase the bralte pedal force required to stop.
Fluid contaminated by moisture or dirt can corrode the sys-
tem. lnspect the brake fluid inside the reservoir. If it is dirty or
murky, or is more then two years old, replace fluid.
To
check the function of the master cylinder hold the bralte
pedal down hard with the engine running. If the pedal slowly
falls to the floor, either the master cylinder is leaking internal-
ly, or fluid is leaking externally.
lnspect the rotors for glazing, discoloration and scoring.
Steering wheel vibration while braking at speed is often
caused by warped rotors, but can also be caused by worn
suspension components.
When troubleshooting, keep in mind that tire inflation, wear
and temperature can all have an affect on braking. See
300
Suspension, Steering and Brakes-General for additional
suspension and brake system troubleshooting.
The table Brake system troubleshooting lists symptoms of
brake problems, probable causes, and suggested corrective
actions. Unless noted otherwise, relevant repairs are de-
scribed later in this repair group.

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340-6
1 Brakes
Brake system troubleshooting
/symptom I Probable cause 1 Repairs
Brake squeal
Pedal goes to floor when
bralting
Low pedal after system bleeding
Pedal spongy or brakes work
only when pedal is pumped
Excessive braking effort
Brakes pulsate, chatter or grab
Uneven
bralting, car pulls to one
side, rear braltes
loclt
Brakes drag, bind or overheat Brake
pad carriers dirty or corroded or
pads loose (poor fit) in pad carrier
Braite pads heat-glazed or oil-soaked
Wheel bearings worn (noise most
pronounced when turning)
Incorrectly Installed brake pads,
parking bralte shoes, or bralte parts
Brake fluid loss due to system leaks
Master cylinder or traction control
system faulty
Master cylinder faulty
Air in braite fluid
Master cylinder or traction control
system faulty
Brake pads wet
Brake pads
heat-glazedorfluid-soalted
Vacuum booster or vacuum hose
connections to booster faulty
--- Warped brake rotors
Brake pads worn
Brake pads heat-glazed or oil-soaked Remove
brake pads and clean calipers. Use original
equipment pads for proper fit and use BMW anti-squeal
compound during installation,
Replace brake pads. Ciean rotors. Replace leaking caliper:
as required.
Replace worn bearings. See 310 Front Suspension
or33C
Rear Suspension.
Check component installation. Checldreplace anti-rattle
springs.
Checlt fluid level and inspect for signs of leakage.
Replace master cylinder. Diagnose traction control system
using factory or compatible diagnostic tool.
Replace master cylinder.
Bleed system using factory or compatible diagnostic tool.
Replace master cylinder. Diagnose traction control system
using factory or compatible diagnostic tool.
Use light pedal pressure to dry pads while driving.
Replace
bralte pads and rotors. Replace leaking calipers.
lnspect vacuum lines. Test vacuum booster and replace as
required. Test vacuum non-return valve for one-way flow.
Resurface or replace rotors.
Replace brake pads.
Clean rotors. Replace leaiting calipers.
Incorrect tire pressures or worn tires
Brake pads on one side of car heat-
glazed or fluid-soaked
Caliper or brake pads binding
Worn suspension components
Brake caliper or brake pads binding
Master cylinder or traction control
system faulty lnspect
tire condition. Checlt and correct tire pressures.
Replace brake pads. Clean rotors. Replace leaking
calipers.
Clean and recondition brakes.
Inspect for worn or damaged suspension components. See
310 Front Suspension or 330 Rear Suspension.
Ciean or replace caliper.
Replace master cylinder. Diagnose traction control system
using faclory or compatible diagnostic tool.