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Differential Assembly: Removal

WARNING: This page is about a different car, the 2003 BMW X5, 2002 BMW X5, 2001 BMW X5, and 2000 BMW X5. However, it is still accessible from the selected car via links, so may be relevant.
  1. Lower front axle support. See appropriate SUSPENSION article.
  2. Disconnect battery, grounding strap to body.
  3. NOTE: The following work must be carried out with a second person assisting. Work instruction applies to left and right sides.
  4. Lift engine hood into assembly position. Gently raise retaining clip and simultaneously push upwards. Hold engine hood and unhook damper on hood. Open hood fully and reattach damper with special tool (51 2 170) to hood. See Fig 1.
  5. Detach sealing strips (1). See Fig 2.
  6. Turn toggles approximately 90 degrees. See Fig 3.
  7. Lift out cover (1). Unfasten screws and pull out heater bulkhead (2). See Fig 4.
  8. On M54 vehicles, remove cover for fuel injectors. Remove upper section of suction filter housing with mass air flow sensor.
  9. On M62 vehicles, remove acoustic cover by turning fasteners 90 degrees counterclockwise.
  10. On M54 vehicles, assemble special tool (00 0 200) and special tool (00 0 201/202/204/208) and attach. Secure special tool (11 0 020) to special tool (00 0 200). See Fig 5.
  11. On M62 vehicles, assemble special tool (00 0 200) and special tool (00 0 201/202/204/208) and attach. Secure special tool (11 0 200) to special tool (00 0 200). See Fig 6.
  12. On all vehicles, secure special tool (11 0 020) or (11 0 200) to front and rear engine suspension eyes. The supports (1) of special tool (00 0 208) must make contact with the screws on the side walls. See Fig 7.
  13. Tighten down screws (1 and 2). See Fig 8.
  14. Release nuts at top on right and left engine mounts.
  15. Using special tool (00 0 200), raise engine approximately .2 inches (5 mm) on M54 vehicles or .4-.5 inches (10-12 mm) on M62 vehicles.
  16. On all vehicles, unscrew bolts (1 and 2) and remove reinforcement plate. SeeFig 9.
  17. Remove front splash guard.
  18. Remove front drive shaft. See FRONT DRIVE SHAFT .
  19. Unfasten steering spindle from steering gear. See appropriate POWER STEERING article.
  20. Remove left and right swivel bearings and axle shafts as a unit. It is not necessary to press axle shaft out of drive flange. See appropriate AXLE SHAFTS article.
  21. Support front axle support with special tool (00 2 030) together with special tool (31 2 220) and a block of wood. See Fig 10.
  22. Detach front axle support from engine carrier. Screw in special tool (31 1 150) in place of original screws approximately .8 inches (20 mm) and lower front axle support. See Fig 11.
  23. Remove left engine mount.
  24. Detach vent hose (1). See Fig 12.
  25. Release screws (1) and remove front axle differential. Carefully feed out differential towards bottom. See Fig 13.
Fig 1: Lifting Hood Into Assembly Position
G00157852Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.
Fig 2: Detaching Sealing Strips
G00157853Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.
Fig 3: Locating Toggles
G00157854Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.
Fig 4: Removing Heater Bulkhead
G00157855Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.
Fig 5: Attaching Special Tools
G00157856Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.
Fig 6: Supporting M62 Engine
G00157869Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.
Fig 7: Securing Special Tool (11 0 020)
G00157857Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.
Fig 8: Tightening Engine Support Screws
G00157858Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.
Fig 9: Removing Reinforcement Plate
G00157862Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.
Fig 10: Supporting Front Axle Support
G00157859Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.
Fig 11: Lowering Front Axle Support
G00157860Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.
Fig 12: Detaching Vent Hose
G00157837Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.
Fig 13: Locating Front Axle Differential Screws
G00157838Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.