Back Index Up Next

Replacing axle Constant Velocity Joint boot

Raise and support the rear of the vehicle.
Remove the six 8mm Allen head bolts and 3 supports (blue arrow) securing each axles to the differential.
 330004.jpg (15347 bytes)
Tie axle up out of the way with wire or string. Do not allow axle to hang, damage to CV joints can result.
Remove wheel. There is no need to remove any brake component to complete this procedure.
Remove lock plate from axle nut by bending in edges with a chisel and grabbing with needle nose pliers.

 

 330010.jpg (17572 bytes)
Remove 30mm nut. A slim walled socket is required for this application. 330011.jpg (16319 bytes)
Drive axle out of hub with BMW special tool 33 2 110 or a large brass punch and hammer.
Remove axle from the vehicle and place in a vise, with the inner joint facing up
Using a hammer and punch, or screwdriver, knock metal cover from end of CV joint
Remove clamp from small end of boot, knock metal cover off other side of CV joint.
Remove circlips from end of the axle shaft
Support inner section of CV joint on vise and knock axle shaft out of joint with a hammer and brass punch.

NOTE: Take extreme care not to allow CV joint to come apart. CV joint should be kept flat at all times, rotating joint without covers in place will cause it to come apart.
Once CV is removed from axle, slide boot off shaft. If outer boot is to be replaced, remove clamps and slide boot off shaft.

NOTE: Do not attempt to remove inner metal cover from outer CV joint. Cover is crimped in place and damage will result.

Installation
Wrap axle shaft splines with tape and slide new boots onto shaft.

The tape will prevent the splines cutting the new boots.
Clamp outer boot over CV joint after adding new grease.  Do not use a solvent to clean the old grease out, this can result in solvent remaining in the CV joint.
Lubricate axle splines with a small amount of grease.
Slide CV joint onto shaft, and if necessary tap into place with a brass or dead blow hammer. 

Replace circlip on shaft and install outer metal cover, taking care to align holes in cover with holes in CV joint.
Fill CV with CV grease and install metal cover on inside of joint, taking care to align holes with holes in CV assembly.
Place boot over metal cover and secure with clamps
Apply a small amount of grease to the splines axle.
Insert axle into hub and pull through with BMW special tool 33 2 110.   This procedure cannot be successfully accomplished without this tool or an equivalent. Failure to use this tool or an equivalent will result in damage to the wheel bearing, CV joint or CV joint boot.
Once axle is firmly seated in hub, install inner CV joint to differential drive flange and install nut with new locking ring on outer end of axle.

Part Numbers :
Axle nut : 33 41 1 125 664 M22 x 1.5mm
Securing Plate : 33 41 1 124 945
Repair Kit, outer boot : 33 21 9 067 810 Both repair kits come with clamps and a circlip. Inner kit comes with metal covers.
Repair Kit, inner boot : 33 21 9 067 895

Torques :
Axle nut 200 Nm + 5% (145 ft lbs.)
CV bolts to flange 58 Nm (42 ft lbs.)
 

Back Index Up Next
E30 M3 Repair Manual V2.7.  Copyright ©1999-2001 Koala Motorsport & Brett Anderson