Final drive service

[Blackal]

Your NVR will be in your handbag............

[dave the german]

Your NVR will be in your handbag............

Yep you're right - found it!!

[f90x]

Another final drive oil change question. According to the official BMW manual, the torque arm nut is supposed to be replaced - is this necessary or is it just like Hondas where the Loctite needs cleaning off and can be re-used?

I used a new one. Also you will find that the new one is different to the original (from memory it is now the same as the front torque arm bolt) it's only a couple of quid.

[Herb]

Another final drive oil change question. According to the official BMW manual, the torque arm nut is supposed to be replaced - is this necessary or is it just like Hondas where the Loctite needs cleaning off and can be re-used?

I used a new one. Also you will find that the new one is different to the original (from memory it is now the same as the front torque arm bolt) it's only a couple of quid.

When BMW changed from a 'maintenance free' drive to a service interval they changed the type of nut, which if I am remembering correctly was originally an ovalised thread single use nut. As stated, buy a new nut from your dealer. This can then be reused in future.

[victorlaszlo]

What's the part number of the new bolt...?

And reiterating - any alternative gearbox oils, preferably possible to source locally (Halfords?)

Finally the moly grease - is any fine or are there any specifics to take into account?

[Herb]

Part numbers can be found here.

https://www.ascycles.com/2/MicroList?id ... suspension

Personally, I would use the recommended Castrol SAF-XO (or whatever its now called) which can be obtained from Opie. Given that the final drives are known to be fragile, I would stick with what BMW recommend for peace of mind. Make sure you check the oil quantity, as it has been updated at least once. From memory I think it is 180ml. I bought a large syringe from the vet so that it can be easily measured and injected through the wheel speed sensor port.

For the spline grease, most people seem to recommend Honda Moly 60 if you can find it? If not, there are other high moly greases available. Loctite do an equivalent.

[victorlaszlo]

Thanks! Is it by any chance 1x:
04 ISA screw M10X55-10.9-MK 1 07129906213

Victor

[bikerboy]

Finally got around to servicing the final,drive. The spline greasing is easy. The oil change is more awkward as BMW in their infinite wisdom decided that it should be a 'lifetime' (100k kilometer) oil and therefor didn't design in a hole for oil ingress. I used a 60mm syringe with a 20mm long rubber tube on the end and carefully squeezed a few ml in at a time through the speedo drive hole as anything more over spills back out again. However even going really slowly it still spills out. Whilst the down pipes were off I took the opportunity to polish them up at the same time. Next job is painting the engine cover. I didn't do it this time as it was too cold for painting.

It looks precarious but was actually fine until I took the back wheel off and then it was a bit wobbly but ok to work with



Not quite so stable any more



Don't forget to shove a bit of cardboard between the pads


Oil out



Spline greasing


It takes a bit of wriggling to get the FD back into the drive shaft


Pipes before


Pipes after


Next job

Nice job - my rear diff won't line up with the bearings!

[f90x]

Which bearings?

[Crazy Kev]

Replaced the diff on mine as crown bearings amongst others had failed, easy job, I replaced the bearings also for the Bronze alternatives ,when replacing the caliper (replaced pads also)
Bulge in line so replaced with Goodridge braided
MOT - 25th