Driveshaft centering bushing removal/replacement.

[Bmwe5320023.0]

milan aa jana

Anyone got a clue what's the difference between centering sleeve and centering sleeve hard?

I saw some tricks on how to remove those bushings with play dough, but I damaged the rubber trying to remove the rubber piece with a pick.
I thought the regular centering sleeve only had rubber, so I tried pulling it out...but looks like the sleeve had a metal piece to it as well thats now stuck.

So I ordered this set
https://a.co/d/6vdpo4O

Should come in hardly for small bearings anyways.

So I wonder what's the difference between regular and hard sleeve.

[andrewwynn]

I've seen video of people using bread to remove bushings.

The centering sleeve is optional I've read.

I suspect there's a rubber and a metal version of the sleeve.

I'd have to see to know what trick I'd use to remove it but there are a few ways

[Bmwe5320023.0]

Bread, play dough, wet newspaper...I.guess anything that will displace that bushing...

[cn90]

I did that in my 1998 528i at 155K miles simply bc
I had the DS out. I used a hacksaw, it took a long time.
Some ppl use paper towel/water/socket/hammer so
the hydraulic force pushes it out
I wrote it up in bimmerfest E39 forum.

If it looks good, I guess you can leave it alone.
Just add some small amount of grease during installation.

If you decide to replace, use only BMW genuine part.
Take photos so you know how much it protrudes
from the DS.

Anyway, I suspect that bushing lasts some 300K miles.

[Bmwe5320023.0]

The blind bearing puller worked!
Was still a hassle, because the puller only had 2 posts, and they kept spreading and moving, would not stay straight. Also tried the sliding hammer, which would not work.
Finally got it out.
I guess the rust is the indicator how far to push in the new part