Removal and installation the propeller shaft (BMW 3 Series E46)

Two different driveshaft designs are installed: a two-piece driveshaft with a central bearing and a driveshaft with two central bearings and one additional constant velocity joint. Note the difference when removing.

Removal

The operation of lifting and installing the vehicle on stands is associated with danger! Therefore, before carrying out the operation, read the Section Jacking and towing

1. Raise and support the vehicle. Remove the exhaust system, refer to Section Removal and installation of the exhaust system.



2. Loosen the mounting bolts and remove heat shields "1" and "2" from the bottom.



3. Loosen the mounting bolts and disconnect the elastic coupling from the gearbox (arrows in the illustration). While doing this, hold the cardan shaft with a strap wrench to prevent it from turning.





4. Loosen the mounting bolts and disconnect the propeller shaft from the rear axle gearbox (arrows in the illustration). Note: To install the cardan shaft in its previous position, mark the relative positions of the cardan shaft and gearbox flanges with paint.



5. Loosen the threaded ring a few turns (arrow on the illustration) on the sliding element using a large spanner. If such a spanner is not available, loosen the threaded ring with a gas wrench.

6. Press the flange of the cardan shaft with a screwdriver from the rear axle gearbox. In this case, the cardan shaft moves at the sliding element (arrow on the illustration).

7. Loosen the center bearing mounting bolts "A", refer to the illustration.

While doing this, hold the cardan shaft so that it does not fall. Do not drop the shaft into the joints. In particular, at the constant velocity joint, the shaft can crush the rubber boot.

8. Cardan shaft, consisting of three parts: Similarly, unscrew the second threaded ring at the central bearing. Press the front flange of the cardan shaft back, while the cardan shaft moves.

9. The cardan shaft consists of three parts: Unscrew the bolts securing the second central bearing to the bottom.

10. Slightly tilt the cardan shaft down at the central bearing and remove it from the centering journal on the gearbox.

Protect the constant velocity joint of the cardan shaft from contamination with a cover or a plastic bag.

Installation

If there is vibration and noise coming from the cardan shaft, it must be balanced at a service station. In addition, it is necessary to find out whether the joints are in good condition. There are service stations that specialize in repairing cardan shafts.



11. Replace the elastic coupling if it is deformed or has pores. To do this, unscrew the mounting bolts (arrows in the illustration). Insert the new coupling so that the arrows on the circle point towards the corresponding flange levers.





12. Before installation, visually inspect the centering element "4" of the cardan shafts. Lubricate the centering element with grease "MOLYKOTE LONGTHERM 2 PLUS" or "OPTIMOL OLISTAMOLY 2". Replace the damaged element at a service station.

13. Insert the cardan shaft first from the front into the centering element and secure with bolts, but do not tighten.

14. Place the cardan shaft with the extended joint on the rear axle gearbox flange.

15. Lightly tighten the threaded ring at the sliding element of the propeller shaft to a torque of 10 Nm.

16. Tighten the nuts securing the cardan shaft to the gearbox evenly to the torque values specified in the Specifications. Use new self-locking nuts.

17. Tighten the cardan shaft to the gearbox flange with new self-locking nuts. The tightening torque depends on the strength class of the bolts, which is stamped on the head (refer to Specifications).

18. Secure the central bearing to the bottom with a torque of 20 Nm.

19. The cardan shaft consists of three parts: Secure the second central bearing to the bottom with a torque of 20 Nm. Tighten the threaded ring with a torque of 10 Nm.



20. Secure the exhaust heat shield. Install the exhaust system, refer to Section Removal and installation of the exhaust system.