Cardan shaft — removal and installation (BMW 3 Series E46)

Note: You will need new front and rear driveshaft mounting nuts for installation.

Removal

1. Place chocks under the front wheels. Raise the rear of the vehicle and support it on jack stands (see Fig. "Lifting and installing the car on supports").

2. Remove the exhaust system and heat shields (see chapter 4A). If necessary (to facilitate access to the cardan shaft) remove the exhaust system mounting brackets.

3. On models where the driveshaft is rigidly attached to the transmission flange, mark the position of the driveshaft relative to the flange, then remove the mounting nuts. Discard the nuts, as you will need new ones for installation.

4. If the cardan shaft is connected to the gearbox flange via a rubber coupling, mark the relative positions of the flange, cardan shaft and rubber coupling. Unscrew the nuts and bolts securing the coupling to the gearbox (Fig. 6.4). Discard the nuts, as you will need new ones for installation.



5. Using a large open-end or adjustable wrench, loosen the threaded ring next to the intermediate support by several turns (Fig. 6.5).



6. Mark the position of the cardan shaft relative to the main gear flange with a felt-tip pen. Unscrew the nuts securing the cardan shaft to the main gear and discard them, as you will need new ones for installation.



7. Using an assistant, support the propeller shaft and loosen the intermediate support bracket mounting nuts (Fig. 6.7). Move both parts of the propeller shaft toward each other, then lower the central part of the propeller shaft down and disconnect it from the gearbox and final drive. Remove the propeller shaft from under the vehicle.

Note: Do not separate the driveshaft parts without marking their relative positions. If the driveshaft is not assembled correctly, it may be unbalanced, causing vibration when the vehicle is driven.

8. Inspect the rubber coupling (if it exists), intermediate support and cardan joints (see paragraphs 7, 8 and 9). Inspect the pin on the gearbox flange and the driveshaft bushing for damage or wear. Replace any faulty parts if necessary.

Installation

9. Apply a small amount of grease containing molybdenum disulfide (bMW recommends Molykote Longterm 2 grease) onto the gearbox flange pin and onto the cardan shaft bushing and install the cardan shaft in place (Fig. 6.9).



10. Align the marks made before removal and connect the propeller shaft to the flanges of the gearbox and final drive. Screw on the nuts securing the intermediate support bracket and tighten them slightly.



11. Insert new bolts into the rear propeller shaft joint and tighten them to the specified torque.

12. On models where the propeller shaft is rigidly attached to the gearbox flange, install new nuts and tighten them to the specified torque.

13. On models with a rubber coupling, insert the bolts and screw on new nuts. Tighten them to the specified torque. Remember to only turn the nut/bolt from the flange side to avoid damaging the rubber coupling.

14. Securely tighten the cardan shaft intermediate support bushing nut.

15. Loosen the intermediate support bracket mounting nuts. Move the bracket forward as far as it will go to eliminate any play, then load the bearing by moving the bracket forward another 4-6 mm. Hold the bracket in this position and tighten the nuts to the specified torque.

16. Install the exhaust system components (see chapter 4A).

(You can read the original on the website «www.bmwman.ru»)