Remove heat shield between
reinforcement brace and exhaust
pipe.
Remove bolts (
A
) mounting brace
to undercarriage.
Remove nuts (
B
) mounting brace
and front of rear subframe to
undercarriage.
Lower and remove reinforcement.
Note:
If necessary, tilt rear half of exhaust
system down. Support exhaust system
securely.
-
Detach driveshaft from differential
input shaft flange and suspend.
See
260 Driveshaft
.
CAUTION!
Suspend the detached drive axle
from the car body with a stiff wire
hook to prevent damage to the outer
CV joint.
-
Remove rear stabilizer bar.
Support differential with transmission
jack. Remove rear (
A
) and front (
B
)
mounting bolts at subframe.
-
Slowly lower differential unit and
remove toward rear.
-
Installation is reverse of removal.
In order to prevent excess
vibration and noise, follow
sequence for tightening
Rear Axle Final Drive
http://ebahn.bentleypublishers.com/BMW/3/E46/Repair%20Manuals/3...
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2/25/2009 10:33 PM
Summary of Contents for 1999-2005 M3
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