CV axle bearing question - passenger front

[80stech]

Where does that pass through tube sit in relation to the fill plug? I wouldn't be surprised if the replacement housing has a sealed bearing.

[dswilly]

I agree and the cavity is displaced by the shaft itself which takes up the volume.

[andrewwynn]

I've only ever noticed splash of gear oil in there. I think just during hard left turns maybe the bottom 1/2" is oil enough to wet the bottom of the cv and gets into the bearing if it's not sealed. I never took off the seal just reused it


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[cn90]

Look up "interference fit"...

The GSP axle might have been made a tiny tiny bigger than spec,
you are talking about delta difference (in diameter) of ~ 0.03 mm or so.
This is enough to force the axle in (during installation)...but when it comes
to removal, bc it is on too tight, the bearing comes out with it.

Use only GKN...
Or a good used BMW axle (made by GKN).

Seal: Corteco.

I wrote a full DIY on bimmerfest E53 forum in 2025...

PS: when it comes to axle, seals, I only use original mfg bc this stuff is down
to 0.03 mm etc. And this is the job I don't want to do twice.

[Fifty150hs]

I've had that bearing pull out when I was changing a CV axle on the passenger side once. I just put it back in the carrier. Has been working fine since and it hasn't popped out since. I suspect I might have had an off brand axle in there that was a little tighter than normal.

[dswilly]

Originally Posted by cn90

Look up "interference fit"...

The GSP axle might have been made a tiny tiny bigger than spec,
you are talking about delta difference (in diameter) of ~ 0.03 mm or so.
This is enough to force the axle in (during installation)...but when it comes
to removal, bc it is on too tight, the bearing comes out with it.

Use only GKN...
Or a good used BMW axle (made by GKN).

Seal: Corteco.

I wrote a full DIY on bimmerfest E53 forum in 2025...

PS: when it comes to axle, seals, I only use original mfg bc this stuff is down
to 0.03 mm etc. And this is the job I don't want to do twice.

Yeah I'm thinking this might be the source of the bearing sticking. The axle removed was also a GSP replacement. I got the new ones from Turner with "lifetime replacement" so if they end up being junk I'll take that credit and apply to GKN for round two. The other parts, seals and carrier are BMW OEM. Fortunately when all the parts arrive I can dry fit it to see what the clearance is like. Maybe emery cloth the axle a bit if it's on the tight side to get that .03mm back -
I went into this job expecting a wrestling match or too, but got from jack stands to CV out in about 40 min. for the one side. Helps that there is very little corrosion.

[dswilly]

Originally Posted by Fifty150hs

I've had that bearing pull out when I was changing a CV axle on the passenger side once. I just put it back in the carrier. Has been working fine since and it hasn't popped out since. I suspect I might have had an off brand axle in there that was a little tighter than normal.

I haven't figured out how to get it off the old axle yet. With the long shaft a puller can't get to it and it's tucked in behind the old seal and CV housing so wacking it with a hammer is out. I have some penetrant oil on it and will take a better crack at it this weekend.

[dswilly]

Originally Posted by 80stech

Where does that pass through tube sit in relation to the fill plug? I wouldn't be surprised if the replacement housing has a sealed bearing.

Yeah good point. Thinking more on this, the axles intersect the diff about dead center. My guess is the oil splashes or spills over into the axle shaft housing when moving and drains back into the diff when stopped.

[andrewwynn]

I have these grabber tools that have a 3/8 square hole and a u-bolt used to grab and turn a shaft (used on tie rod for example) that can give you a fulcrum to push on the inner race of the bearing.

I would use that and my DeWalt construction jacks to push with up to about 800-900#


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Fifty150hs]

Originally Posted by dswilly

I haven't figured out how to get it off the old axle yet. With the long shaft a puller can't get to it and it's tucked in behind the old seal and CV housing so wacking it with a hammer is out. I have some penetrant oil on it and will take a better crack at it this weekend.

If you aren't trying to save the axle shaft, cut it off so you can get a bearing puller on it. An alternative if you want to save the shaft is to get all thread rods to extend the puller reach.