Drive shafts — removal and installation (BMW 3 Series E46)

Note: When installing, you will need new drive shaft to final drive flange bolts and a wheel hub nut.

Removal

1. Remove the wheel cover or hub cap, then loosen the hub nut without raising the vehicle. Also loosen the wheel bolts.

2. 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").

3. Remove the corresponding rear wheel.

4. If you are removing the left drive shaft, first remove the exhaust system part (see chapter 4A).

5. Unscrew the stabilizer bar supports and turn it down (see chapter 10).

6. Loosen and remove the hub nut.

7. Mark the relative position of the drive shaft relative to the main gear flange, then unscrew the mounting bolts (Fig. 4.7). Secure the drive shaft with a piece of wire.

Note: Do not allow the drive shaft to hang under its own weight as this will damage the constant velocity joint.

8. Remove the drive shaft from the wheel hub. If the joint does not come out, tap it with a soft metal hammer. If this does not help, try to press the joint out with a suitable device that can be bolted to the hub.



9. Remove the drive shaft from under the vehicle.

Installation

10. Installation is carried out in the reverse order of removal, taking into account the following notes.

• a) Before installation, lubricate the threads of the new wheel hub nut with clean engine oil. Finally tighten the wheel hub nut after the vehicle is lowered to the ground. After tightening, score the nut (Fig. 4.10).
• b) Insert new bolts securing the drive shaft to the final drive flange and tighten them to the specified torque.