This is definitely not a thirty minutes job. I thought I would take 3 hours, but the reality is more like 13 hours. Now, if I redo it again, it will be likely take 3 hours. This is an 2005 x5 3.0. I had the hardest challenge push back on the first axel from the drive hub. I went to Autozone rented me a puller and slide hammer, but they didn’t help that much. I went out bought me a bigger hammer with no advancement. So, I ended up sprayed bunch of WD40 multiple time during the Cowboys/charger game on both axles and have it sit overnight. I was able to hammer it off with ease this morning. Prying off from the transmission was easy, putting the driver side back took me an hour, I think the angle was the problem pushing the axel in. I used my lift to hold the axel on the same height and used hammer to smack the darn thing in.

A few differences for people who will do this job. I didn’t remove the swing arms. All I have done is remove the two 22mm bolts holding the hub the the struct. I turned the steering wheel to the max left or right to help me angle the axel out.


Have fun!