2001 rear end pinion seal question

[Crowz]

My 2001 x5 3.0 rear end front pinion seal is leaking.

I couldn't find a howto video for my exact model but I did find bmw rear ends that looked similar and from what I can tell unlike all of the pinion seals I have done before this one is actually stupid easy if I am looking at the right rear end.

The question is has anyone done one before and if so is the seal just right at the end of the pinion?

As in nothing to remove but the axle flange and then pull the seal and tap in the new seal and put the flange back?

All of the pinion seals I have ever done before require doing a crush sleave and all and are a royal pain. So Im making sure Im seeing this right before ordering the seal.

[Crowz]

Well to answer my own question I went and looked up the build date on my 2001 and then pulled the diagrams for it and sure enough its a piece of cake to change the seal so I ordered the seal, replacement nut flange and a liter of fluid.

[Attacking Mid]

Here's a little DIY I posted on the X3 BF forum. I assume the E53 setup would be similar. You DO need to be cognizant of the position of the nut to retain the original gear lash.

See post #124:
https://www.bimmerfest.com/forums/sh...94#post9968194

AM.

[Crowz]

Looks like the same setup to me. Beats the crap out of the way you do the dana rear ends.

[Mlind27]

Would this be a similar procedure for the front differential pinion seal? I have this leaking on my X and I'm gearing up to tackle that soon.

[e39_touring]

Originally Posted by Mlind27

Would this be a similar procedure for the front differential pinion seal? I have this leaking on my X and I'm gearing up to tackle that soon.

Yep, front and rear safe the same. I've done both. Make sure you have a new lock collar as it's hard to reuse the old one. Just mark the position of the nut to the housing and count the turns until its off so you can return it to its original position.

[Bmwe5320023.0]

I'm looking to do the front differential
This is the closest videos I found

https://youtu.be/yw6wyDATWUA

https://youtu.be/fP30Em9kado

Did you guys use any specialty tools for the job?

[e39_touring]

Originally Posted by Bmwe5320023.0

I'm looking to do the front differential
This is the closest videos I found

https://youtu.be/yw6wyDATWUA

https://youtu.be/fP30Em9kado

Did you guys use any specialty tools for the job?

It's been a while since I did mine, but the only thing I remember re tools is that I had to try a few different types of sockets as you need a pretty thin walled socket to get the pinion nut off. That may only apply to the front differential though.

[Bmwe5320023.0]

This article is for E46, but part numbers see to be the same

https://www.rmeuropean.com/bmw-e46-f...placement.aspx

So maybe it's the same procedure

[Bmwe5320023.0]

Biggest tool would probably be for the 30mm nut, Pinion Flange Holding Tool.
I think you can get away without it with an impact driver during removal process but will probably need it when tightening.