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31 50... Changing Front Differential Oil

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.

WARNING: Danger of poisoning if oil is ingested/absorbed through the skin! See 00 DANGER OF POISONING IF OIL IS INGESTED/ABSORBED THROUGH THE SKIN .
Risk of injury if oil comes into contact with eyes and skin! See 00 RISK OF INJURY IF OIL COMES INTO CONTACT WITH EYES AND SKIN .

IMPORTANT: Use only the approved front differential oil in this front differential. See FRONT AXLE - OPERATING FLUIDS .
Failure to comply with this requirement will result in serious damage to the differential!

NOTE: Only change oil when front differential is at normal operating temperature.

Necessary preliminary tasks:

Remove reinforcement plate . See 31 10 010 REMOVING AND INSTALLING/REPLACING REINFORCEMENT PLATE .
Remove steering gear cover at top left . See 51 71 ... REMOVING AND INSTALLING/REPLACING TOP LEFT STEERING GEAR COVER .

Checking/correcting front differential oil level:

Undo oil filler plug (1).

Check front differential oil level.

If necessary, pour in front differential oil up to lower edge of opening for oil filler plug (1).

Installation:

Replace oil filler plug.

Tightening torque. See FRONT AXLE - TIGHTENING TORQUES .

Fig 1: Identifying Oil Filler Plug

G04745219

Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.

Changing front differential oil:

Place oil collecting apparatus underneath.

Remove oil drain plug (1).

Drain front differential oil.

Installation:

Replace oil drain plug.

Tightening torque. See FRONT AXLE - TIGHTENING TORQUES .

Undo oil filler plug (2).

Pour in front differential oil up to lower edge of opening for oil filler plug (2).

Installation:

Replace oil filler plug.

Tightening torque. See FRONT AXLE - TIGHTENING TORQUES .

Fig 2: Identifying Oil Drain Plug And Oil Filler Plug

G04745220

Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.