Differentials & Axle Shafts BMW Z3 E36

AXLE RATIO & IDENTIFICATION

Axle ratio and identification are stamped on differential cover.

DESCRIPTION & OPERATION

All models are equipped with a multi-link rear axle. (Scheme 1)or (Scheme 2). Drive shaft may utilize either a universal joint or Constant Velocity (CV) joint at rear.

Scheme 1

Scheme 2

CAPACITY

FLUID CAPACITY

FLUID TYPE

Note. The new final drive oil SAF-XJ, replaces the old final drive oil SAF-XLS.

Use BMW Synthetic Final Drive Oil SAF-XJ (83 22 1 470 080).

TROUBLE SHOOTING

Note. See TROUBLE SHOOTING - BASIC PROCEDURES article in GENERAL INFORMATION.

AXLE SHAFT & BEARING

See AXLE SHAFTS .

Removal (3-Series)

1. Raise and support vehicle. Remove inner CV joint axle flange bolts. Separate axle shaft from differential flange and wire aside. (Scheme 3) Remove wheel. Remove wheel nut. Remove brake disc rotor. Install Press (33 2 111, 116, 117) with 2 wheel studs. Press off axle shaft. Remove axle shaft from vehicle. CAUTION: DO NOT allow axle shaft to fall.
2. Pry off sealing plate cover from end of shaft. Remove hose clamp. Remove snap ring from shaft, and index mark CV joint assembly to axle shaft. Press dust cover and boot from bearing assembly.
3. Separate boot from joint assembly. Remove snap ring. Press CV joint assembly off axle shaft (press on inner race surface only). Note direction of inner race collar. DO NOT disassemble CV joint.
4. Inspect boot for deterioration and cracking. Replace if necessary. Check bearing assembly for smooth operation. Inspect assembly for abnormal wear, scoring and pitting. Replace as an assembly.

Scheme 3

Installation

1. Clean splines of axle shaft to remove grease. Install boot and dust cover assembly over shaft. Apply coat of Loctite to splines and press joint onto shaft. Keep Loctite from entering ball passages.
2. Install snap ring. Pack joint and boot with grease supplied in joint kit. Coat large diameter end of boot with an adhesive, and press on cover.

Removal (5-Series)

1. Raise and support vehicle. Remove wheel. Remove wheel nut. Remove brake caliper. Remove brake disc rotor. Remove swing arm cover. Install Puller (33 2 116, 33 4 201, 202, 203) to drive flange. Drive out drive flange. CAUTION: Wheel bearing is destroyed when drive flange is removed.
2. Remove inner bearing race from groove in bearing race. Remove wheel bearing bolts. Remove wheel bearing.

Ensure contact faces of wheel bearing, wheel carrier and tapped bores are clean and free of grease. Install new wheel bearing. Apply light coat of oil on drive flange. Attach drive flange on spline of output shaft. Tighten drive flange down using Press (33 2 115, 116, 118). To complete installation, reverse removal procedure.

Removal (7-Series)

1. Raise and support vehicle. Remove exhaust system. Remove wheel. Remove 6 out flange-to-axle shaft bolts.
2. Remove wheel nut. Install Puller (33-2-116), (33-2-111), and, (33-2-117) to output shaft. Drive out output shaft.
3. On vehicles with height sensor, remove control arm from wheel carrier assembly. Remove mounting bolts and disconnect strut assembly from wheel carrier assembly. Using a jack, lift wheel carrier assembly and remove output shaft.

Ensure contact faces of wheel bearing, wheel carrier and tapped bores are clean and free of grease. Install new wheel bearing. Apply light coat of oil on drive flange. Attach drive flange on spline of output shaft. Tighten drive flange down using Press (33-2-115), (33-2-116) and (33-2-118). To complete installation, reverse removal procedure.

Removal

1. Remove axle shaft. See «AXLE SHAFTS»(/bmw/z3/e36-1995-2000/remont/differentials-drive-axles/#differentials-axle-shafts). Press off sealing cover. (Scheme 4) Remove hose clamps. Remove cap and dust cover. Remove circlip. (Scheme 5) Press spline shaft out of CV joint. CAUTION: DO NOT disassemble CV joint.
2. Check CV joint for dirt or damage. Replace CV joint as necessary. Unfasten hose clamps from CV boot. Pull boot off splined shaft.

Scheme 4

Scheme 5

1. Ensure CV joint is clean. Install new grease in CV joint. Install new inner CV boot. Remove adhesive tape. Coat sealing face of cap with sealing gel. Press cap onto CV joint with pressure ring. Pull on new CV joint boot. Press CV joint and cap over inner bearing race on splined shaft. Install new circlip.
2. Fill CV joint with grease. Pull CV joint boot onto cap. Install NEW hose clamps. Ensure large hose clamp is located between 2 bores of CV joint.

Remove axle shaft-to-differential bolts. (Scheme 3) Suspend axle shaft(s) with wire. On 3-Series and 7-Series remove drive flange with a tire iron. On 5-Series, knock off drive flange with a plastic hammer. On all models, pull out shaft seal with seal puller.

1. On 3-Series, check circlip for stretching or damage. Replace as necessary. Rotate circlip so both ends of clip are recessed in groove. (Scheme 6) Apply light coat of differential oil to contact area of shaft seal. Rotate and press in flange by hand until round wire snap ring engages. Press flange further in until retaining ring engages.
2. On all models, coat housing plate flange and sealing lips of shaft seal with differential oil. Install shaft seal as far as possible.

Scheme 6

Removal & Installation

1. Drain differential oil. Disconnect drive shaft from input flange. Remove speedometer signal sensor (if applicable). Disconnect left and right stabilizer mounts. Remove left and right axle shaft bolts. (Scheme 3) Suspend axle shafts with wire.
2. Support differential with a transmission jack. Remove differential mounting bolts. (Scheme 7) Slowly lower jack. Remove differential toward rear. To install, reverse removal procedure.

Scheme 7

Removal (With Rear Universal Joint)

1. Remove exhaust assembly and heat shield. Remove exhaust assembly mounting brackets. On models with joint disc, remove 3 bolts and disconnect joint disc at transmission. (Scheme 8) On models with universal joint, disconnect universal joint at transmission. (Scheme 9)
2. On all models, loosen threaded sleeve with Wrench (26 1 040). Mark position of universal joint relative to differential pinion shaft. Disconnect universal joint at differential. Unbolt drive shaft center mount. Lower drive shaft at center mount. (Scheme 10) Pull off centering pin at transmission or differential (if equipped). Remove drive shaft.

Scheme 8

Scheme 9

Scheme 10

To install, reverse removal procedure. Check splined sections for damage. Replace as necessary. Ensure drive shaft mating marks are aligned.

Removal (With Rear CV Joint)

1. Remove exhaust assembly and heat shield. Remove exhaust assembly mounting brackets. On models with joint disc, remove 3 bolts and disconnect joint disc at transmission. (Scheme 11) Unbolt CV joint at differential. Unbolt drive shaft center mount. CAUTION: DO NOT allow drive shaft to fall into joints. Rubber collar can become squeezed, or joints may be damaged.
2. Lower drive shaft at center mount. Pull off centering pin at transmission or differential (if equipped). Remove drive shaft.

To install, reverse removal procedure. Add grease to CV joint as necessary. Check splined sections for damage. Replace as necessary.

Scheme 11

Remove drive shaft. See DRIVE SHAFT. Remove hose clamp. Remove circlip. (Scheme 12) Push back boot. Using a puller, disconnect CV joint.

1. Fill new CV joint with grease. Clean grease off splines. Apply Loctite to splines. CAUTION: Do not get Loctite into ball grooves. Do not tilt inner race and cage as CV joint balls could fall out.
2. Drive CV joint onto drive shaft. Install circlip. Pull boot onto propeller shaft. Install hose clamp on boot.

Scheme 12

Disconnect CV joint. See DRIVE SHAFT CONSTANT VELOCITY (CV) JOINT. Using plastic hammer, drive out CV joint mounting bolts. (Scheme 13) Remove washers. Remove end cover. (Scheme 14)

Add grease as necessary. Install new end cover and boot on CV joint. Install washers and CV joint mounting bolts. Pull boot onto drive shaft. Install hose clamp on boot.

Scheme 13

Scheme 14

Lift out retaining plate. Using peening tool, mark position of collar nut relative to pinion shaft. (Scheme 15) Secure input shaft with Wrench (23 0 020) and loosen nut. Remove pinion. Remove pinion shaft seal.

Install new shaft seal. Coat sealing lips of pinion shaft seal with differential oil. Install pinion shaft. Tighten collar nut until mark aligns. Install retaining plate.

Scheme 15

REAR HUB & CARRIER ASSEMBLY

Note. Information for 8-Series rear carrier assembly removal is not available.

1. Disconnect parking brake cables on parking brake lever. Remove rear wheels. Remove exhaust system. Disconnect drive shaft from differential. See «DRIVE SHAFT»(/bmw/z3/e36-1995-2000/remont/differentials-drive-axles/#differentials-axle-shafts). Remove left and right brake line retaining bolts. Remove brake calipers and hang them from vehicle with a piece of wire. Remove ABS impulse sensors.
2. Support trailing arm with a jack. Remove lower shock bolts and lower jack. Remove speedometer signal sensor (if equipped). Unbolt and remove heat shield and bracket. (Scheme 16) Pull parking brake cables from guides. Remove trailing arm bolts. Position Rear Axle Retainer (00-2-030), (00-2-040), (33-3-290) under rear axle. Remove rear axle carrier bolts. (Scheme 17) Slowly lower jack. Remove springs.

To install, reverse removal procedure. Bleed brakes. See appropriate ANTI-LOCK article in BRAKES section.

Scheme 16

Scheme 17

1. Remove wheels. Remove drive shaft. See «DRIVE SHAFT»(/bmw/z3/e36-1995-2000/remont/differentials-drive-axles/#differentials-axle-shafts). Remove brake calipers and hang them with a piece of wire. Remove ABS impulse sensors. Disconnect parking brake cables on parking brake lever. Remove heat shield above drive shaft. Remove ride height sensor (if necessary).
2. Support differential with a jack and Support (33 4 390). Remove left and right trim panels. (Scheme 18) Remove left and right shock absorbers. Remove left and right carrier bolts. Lower rear axle.

To install, reverse removal procedure. Bleed brakes. See appropriate ANTI-LOCK article in BRAKES section.

Scheme 18

Removal 7-Series

1. Raise and support vehicle. Remove wheel assembly. Apply parking brake and disconnect and remove both output shafts from drive flanges. See «AXLE SHAFTS»(/bmw/z3/e36-1995-2000/remont/differentials-drive-axles/#differentials-axle-shafts) . Release parking brake and remove parking brake lever.
2. Remove a small amount of brake fluid from master cylinder. Disconnect brake hose and remove brake cable from guide. Disconnect ABS speed sensor connector. Support carrier assembly from underneath. Disconnect stabilizer bar. Remove diagonal support arm bolts from connecting link. Remove trailing arm-to-axle carrier bolts. disconnect strut assemblies and lower carrier assembly.

To install, reverse removal procedure. Bleed brakes. See appropriate ANTI-LOCK article in BRAKES section.

DIFFERENTIAL ASSEMBLY

Replace differential assembly as a unit.

TORQUE SPECIFICATIONS

TORQUE SPECIFICATIONS

See also:
• TROUBLE SHOOTING - BASIC PROCEDURES
• AXLE SHAFTS