Raise the car and remove the front wheel; if needed remove the dust cap from the wheel hub, remove the center cap and reinstall the wheel, then lower the vehicle to the ground. With an assistant applying the brakes, break free the axle shaft collar bolt without removing it completely; raise the car and remove the front wheel, remove the underbody splash shield, remove the front end reinforcement plate, detach the tie rod end from the steering knuckle, remove the control arm from the subframe, swivel the steering knuckle and press the axle shaft inward to disengage it from the knuckle. Do not pound on the end of the axle shaft and support the axle shaft when removing. Left side: use BMW special tool 31 5 110 or an equivalent prying tool to lever the inner CV joint shaft out of the front differential and be prepared to catch dripping oil; replace the differential or bearing pedestal flange seal while the axle is out. Right side: use BMW special tool 31 5110 or equivalent to force the inner CV joint shaft out of the bearing pedestal output flange (axle retained by a circlip) and be prepared to catch dripping oil; replace the differential or bearing pedestal flange seal while the axle is out. Replace CV joint boots as necessary; if reusing axle shafts replace the inner CV joint locking circlip. When installing, coat the sealing lip of the flange seal with transmission fluid, push the inner CV joint shaft into the differential or bearing pedestal flange until the locking circlip snaps in place, ensure the teeth on the wheel bearing and axle mesh correctly, install a new collar bolt and spring, tighten the collar bolt by hand and rotate the hub and axle to ensure proper meshing, then tighten the axle bolt to final torque. Reassemble in reverse order, install the front end reinforcement plate with new fasteners, check and top off front differential oil if necessary, and perform a wheel alignment.
