31 60 003 Removing And Installing Or Replacing Left Output Shaft

WARNING: This page is about a different car, the 2010 BMW X5, 2009 BMW X5, 2008 BMW X5, and 2007 BMW X5. However, it is still accessible from the selected car via links, so may be relevant.

Special tools required:

31 4 170

Remove front wheel.

IMPORTANT: Expand turning lock sufficiently to avoid damaging thread when releasing collar nut.

Release collar nut (1), press brake pedal to floor for this purpose.

Fig 1: Identifying Collar Nut

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Remove left microfilter housing cover . See 64 31 101 REMOVING AND INSTALLING/REPLACING LEFT MICROFILTER HOUSING COVER .

IMPORTANT: Use special tool to avoid preliminary damage to ball joint in upper control arm.

Press plugs out of spring strut dome.

Secure swivel bearing (1) with special tool 31 4 170 in installation position.

Fig 2: Identifying Swivel Bearing And Special Tool (31 4 170)

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Remove reinforcement plate. . See 31 10 010 REMOVING AND INSTALLING/REPLACING REINFORCEMENT PLATE .

Remove steering gear cover at top and bottom. . See 51 71 ... REMOVING AND INSTALLING/REPLACING TOP LEFT STEERING GEAR COVER and 51 71 ... REMOVING AND INSTALLING/REPLACING TOP RIGHT STEERING GEAR COVER .

Remove lower control arm front spring strut holder and front axle carrier . See 31 12 004 REMOVING AND INSTALLING/REPLACING LEFT OR RIGHT LOWER CONTROL ARM .

Press output shaft out of drive flange . See PRESSING OUTPUT SHAFT OUT OF DRIVE FLANGE .

IMPORTANT: Risk of damage!
Tape off output shaft and secure against falling off.
When removing output shaft, make sure that tripod does not fall into gaiter.

Turn steering wheel to right.

Press swivel bearing slightly to one side and remove output shaft from wheel bearing.

Press output shaft with a suitable tool out of front differential and remove between spring strut holder and control arm.

Fig 3: Removing Output Shaft From Wheel Bearing

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Installing output shaft:

Replace shaft seal in front differential . See 31 51 015 REPLACING SHAFT SEAL FOR LEFT OUTPUT SHAFT or 31 51 020 REPLACING SHAFT SEAL FOR RIGHT OUTPUT SHAFT .

Check front differential oil level , correct if necessary. See 31 50... CHANGING FRONT DIFFERENTIAL OIL .

IMPORTANT: High installation forces indicate that the output shaft spline teeth are damaged or deformed!

Check spline teeth, replaced damaged parts.

Replace circlip (1).

Coat highlighted contact surface (2) of output shaft with approved front differential oil . See FRONT AXLE - OPERATING FLUIDS .

Fig 4: Identifying Circlip And Contact Surface Of Output Shaft

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IMPORTANT: When installing output shaft, make sure that tripod does not fall into gaiter.

Press swivel bearing slightly to one side and insert output shaft into front differential.

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

Slide output shaft as far as it will go into front differential. Output shaft must snap audibly into place.

Fig 5: Identifying Lug

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Press swivel bearing slightly to one side and insert output shaft into wheel bearing.

Move steering to straight-ahead position.

Fig 6: Removing Output Shaft From Wheel Bearing

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Draw output shaft into drive flange . See 31 60... PRESSING OUTPUT SHAFT OUT OF DRIVE FLANGE (WHEEL HUB) AND DRAWING IN .

Install lower control arm. . See 31 12 004 REMOVING AND INSTALLING/REPLACING LEFT OR RIGHT LOWER CONTROL ARM .

Remove steering gear cover at top and bottom . See 51 71 ... REMOVING AND INSTALLING/REPLACING TOP LEFT STEERING GEAR COVER and 51 71 ... REMOVING AND INSTALLING/REPLACING TOP RIGHT STEERING GEAR COVER .

Install reinforcement plate. . See 31 10 010 REMOVING AND INSTALLING/REPLACING REINFORCEMENT PLATE .

Remove special tool 31 4 170 for swivel bearing (1).

Use plugs from spring strut dome.

Install left microfilter housing cover . See 64 31 101 REMOVING AND INSTALLING/REPLACING LEFT MICROFILTER HOUSING COVER .

Fig 7: Identifying Swivel Bearing And Special Tool (31 4 170)

Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.

Replace collar nut (1), oil collar nut/wheel bearing contact surface only and tighten down.

No oil permitted on thread of shaft journal or collar nut.

Tightening torque. See FRONT AXLE - TIGHTENING TORQUES .

Secure collar nut by positive peening on flat areas of output shaft.

Install front wheel.

Fig 8: Locating Collar Nut

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After installation:

Perform CHASSIS ALIGNMENT CHECK
Carry out steering angle sensor adjustment/adjustment for active steering . See 32 10 005 ADJUSTMENT FOR ACTIVE FRONT STEERING and 61 31 996 CARRY OUT STEERING ANGLE SENSOR ADJUSTMENT .