Re grease...

I have done tons of vehicles (Honda Odyssey van, Volvo S70, XC90 etc. etc.), the grease is the same for outer and inner.

The Volvo uses the same supplier GKN-Lobro as BMW X5. The Volvo tripod design is similar to BMW X5 with needle bearings etc. Anyway, the X5 is unique lol...probably overkilled engineering...

Ive changed a few CV axles, and i always seem to have to pull the axle in snug, ive used OEM ones, cheap chinese ones, and mid grade ones. they all seem to need some sort of assistance to fit! (the only one that didnt was the original one, with the boots (and grease) changed!! even it needed to be snugged in the last 1/4 inch with an axle nut, Ive only ever experienced this with BMW!! ive checked the back of the hub and the new axles, and they all seem fine, just snug! so i made up some tools and not had any problems since!!

trader4,

I think RFaber refers to a tool he made.

I did the REAR bearing on my 1998 528i (E39), same idea as X5 Front and Rear bearings. The tool I made (to pull the axle outward during install) is mentioned in post #42 in the DIY that I wrote a while back on bimmerfest...

DIY: 1998 528i REAR Bearing the Easy Way! - Bimmerfest - BMW Forums



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I will link the image for ref. purpose:

https://www.bimmerfest.com/forums/at...hmentid=292626

yes, the old wheel nut i modified, i ground it so that it would fit into the spline section. the "axle nut" is put on backwards, so that the washer end is up top I rotate it in using the pliers, in the notches i cut into it, I draw it into the hub assembly as far as i can by rotating the pliers. once i have a few turns on the nut, i back it off a bit, then slip in my puller, place a piece of bar stock across and continue to pull the new axle in to its final resting place.
then yes, i use the new wheel nut to cinch things tight, and apply the correct amount of torque to it, and its good to go!
I'm sure there are many other ways to do this, but i found this way worked well for me.
:cool:

I suppose if the new axles had a threaded center hole one could just add a bolt and pull them in without any additional grief! :)
just a thought!

I used cn90's DIY when I did my wheel bearings and axle boots 2 years ago.

Let me tell you, I just don't feel comfortable laying a 2x4 over my hub and whacking with a sledgehammer until the axle comes through enough to thread the nut on.

Making that tool with the old axle nut and an impact socket and threading the axle into the hub was a lifesaver, so easy and cheap to do

The left front inner boot kit came from my dealer. It had different, yellowish goo grease vs. the black grease for the outer boot that I've also done (on the same left front axle no less). Your grease may vary.