Flex disc BMW 525i 2001 E39 User Guide

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Driveshaft
4 Driveshaft center slide nut spanner
(Tool No. BMW
26 1 040)
7, 25 1 Ho 4 cv joint removal tool
(Tool No. BMW 26 1 11 0)
support assembly
Driveshaft description
4 The two-piece driveshaft is connected to the transmission by
a rubber flex-disc and to the rear final drive by a constant ve-
locity (CV) joint.
A universal joint is used at the center of the driveshaft and
the shaft is supported in the middle by a center support
bearing. The bearing is mounted in rubber to isolate vibra-
tion.
- The rear constant velocity joint compensates for fore and
aft movement of the drive line.
Troubleshooting
The source of driveline vibrations and noise can be difficultto pin-
point. Engine, transmission, rear axle, or wheel vibrations can be
transmitted through thedriveshaftto the car body. Noises from
thecar may be caused by final drive problems, or by faulty wheel
bearings, drive axles, or even
wom or improperly inflated tires.
NOTE-
For drive axle repair information, see 331 Final Drive
Driveshaft noise or vibration may be caused by worn
ordam-
aged components. Check the universal joint for play. With the
driveshaft installed, pull and twist the driveshaft while watch-
ing the joint. The
BMW specification for play is very small, so
almost any noticeable play could indicate a problem.
Check the torque of the fasteners at the flange connections.
Check the rubber of the flex-disc and center bearing for dete-
rioration or tearing. Check the driveshaft for broken or miss-
ing balance weights. The weights are welded tabs on the
driveshaft tubes. In addition to inspecting for faulty driveshaft
parts, the installed angles of the driveshaft should also be
considered.

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Driveshaft
Driveshaft problems and causes
Symptom Probable cause Corrective action
Vibration when starting off Center bearing rubber deteriorated. Inspect center bearing and rubber. Replace if necessary.
(forward or reverse)
Flex-disc damaged or worn.
Inspect flex-disc. Replace
if necessary.
Engine or transmission mounts
faulty. Inspect engine and transmission mounts. Align or
replace, if necessary.
Front centering guide worn, or driveshaft
Checic front centering guide and replace
if necessary.
mounting flanges out of round.
Check
runout of driveshaft flanges.
Universal joint worn or seized.
Check universal joint play and movement. Replace
driveshaft if necessary.
Driveshaft misaligned. Check driveshaft alignment.
Noise during onloff throttle Final
drive components worn or damaged
Remove final drive and repair. 331 Final Drive
or when engaging clutch. (excessive pinion-to-ring-gear clearance).
Drive axle or CV joint faulty.
Inspect drive axles and CV joints. Repair or replace as
necessary.
331 Final Drive
Vibration at 25 to
30 mph
Front centering guide worn, or driveshaft
Check front centering guide and replace if necessary.
(40 to 50
kmlh). mounting flanges out of round or damaged.
Check runout of driveshaft mounting flanges.
Universal joint worn or seized.
Check universal joint play and movement. Replace
driveshaft if necessary.
Flex-disc damaged or worn.
Inspect flex-disc. Replace if necessary.
Center bearing rubber deteriorated.
Inspect center bearing. Replace if necessary.
Misaligned installed position. Check driveshaft alignment.
Vibration, audible rumble Front centering guide worn, or driveshaft
Check front centering guide and replace
if necessary.
over
35 mph (60 kmlh). mounting flanges out of rouncl or damaged.
Check runout of driveshaft mounting flanges. - -
Mounting flange bolts loose or holes worn.
Remove driveshaft and check transmission output flange
and final drive input flange. Replace if necessary.
Driveshaft unbalanced. Check driveshaft for loose or missing balance weights.
Have driveshaft rebalanced or replace if necessary.
Universal ioint worn or seized.
Check universal ioint
~lav and movement. Reolace ' .. driveshaft if necessary.
Center bearing faulty.
Replace center bearing.
.
Final drive rubber mount faulty.
Inspect final drive rubber mount and repiace if necessary.
Driveshaft misaligned.
Check driveshaft alignment.

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-.- .
/ Driveshaft Driveshaft, removing
CAUTION-
. Be sure the wheels are off the ground before removing the
driveshak Set the parl(ing brake before removing the
driveshaft.
Once the driveshaft has been removed, the vehicle can
roll regardless of whether the transmission is in gear or
not.
The driveshaft is mounted to the transmission and final
drive
with self-locliing nuts. These nuts are designed to
be used only once and should be replaced during reas-
sembly.
Remove complete exhaust system. See
180 Exhaust
System.
- Remove exhaust heat shields.
- Support transmission with transmission jack.
< Loosen transmission mount nuts (arrows) on real
transmission support crossmember.
- Release wiring harness retainers from rear transmission
support crossmember.
< Remove mounting bolts (arrows) for rear transmission sup-
port crossmember. Slide crossmember rearward to remove.
- Matchmark front and rear driveshaft halves to corresponding
transmission output and final drive input flanges.
4 Remove nuts securing driveshaft mounting bolts at transmis-
sion output flange. Counterhold bolts (arrows) at transmis-
sion flex-disc. Discard old nuts.
- Hang driveshaft front section from body using stiff wire.

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260-1 0
/ Driveshaft
Driveshaft, installing
- Prepare CV joint for reinstallation:
Extend joint to limit.
Clean off old grease and fill with fresh grease
Install new seal.
- Bend driveshaft slightly at center universal joint to install
CAUTION-
Do not allow CVjoint seal to become displaced.
- Align matchmarlts on driveshaft to matchmarks on final drive
and transmission flanges.
- Fit constant velocity joint to final drive input flange. Alternate-
ly tighten two opposite nuts to draw constant velocity joint
evenly into the final drive input flange. Once seated, tighten
down remaining nuts.
I CAUTION-
I Do not reuse self-locking nuts. These nuts are designed to be /
I used onlv once. 1
- Insert bolts in front of driveshafl to transmission output
flange. Counterhold each bolt while tightening nut.
CAUTION-
. Do not reuse self-locking nuts. These nuts are designed to
be used only once.
Avoid stressing the flex-disc when torquing the bolts.
Do this by counterholding the bolts and turning the nuts
on the flange side.
- Position center support bearing and install mounting nuts.
Use new self-locking nuts.
- Install heat shields.
- Install rear transmission support crossmember.
- Install exhaust system. See 180 Exhaust System.
Reconnect oxygen sensor wiring harnesses and reattach
wiring harness retainers to rear transmission support
crossrnernber.

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Driveshaft
- Road test vehicle to check for noise or vibration
CAUTION-
Do not reuse self-locking nuts. These nuts are designed to
be used only once.
Avoid stressing the flex-disc when torquing the bolts.
Do this by counterholding the bolts and turning the nuts
on the flange side.
Tightening torques
Alunlinum driveshaft to flex-disc
- MI2 (use coated washers)
90 Nm (66 ft-lb)
Driveshaft
CV joint to final drive flange
Mi0 (Tom bolt)
70 Nm (51 ft-lb)
M8 (compression nut) 32 Nm (24 ft-lb)
Flex-disc to transmission flange or driveshaft
MI0 (8.8 grade) 48 Nm (35 ft-lb)
MI 0 (1 0.9 grade) 60 Nm (44 ft-lb)
- Mi2 (8.8 grade)
81 Nm (60 ft-lb)
- MI2 (10.9 grade) I00 Nm (74 ft-lb)
MI4 140 Nm (103 ft-lb)
Transmission
crossmember
to transmission (ME) 21 Nm (15 ft-lb)
. to chassis (M10) 42 Nm (30 ft-lb)
NOTE-
Boltgrade is marked on the bolt head. When replacing bolts,
only use bolts of the same strength and hardness as the orig-
inals installed.
Flex-disc, replacing
- Checlc flex-disc between front section of driveshafl and trans-
mission output flange for craclts, tears, missing pieces, or
distortion. Check for worn bolt hole bores in flange.
- If flex-disc needs replacement, remove driveshafl as de-
scribed earlier.
- Unbolt flex-disc from driveshaft.
NOTE-
Removal andinstallation of the bolts may be made easier by
placing a large hose clamp around the flex-disc, and tighten-
ing the clamp slightly to compress the rubber.

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260-1 2
1 Driveshaft
Install new flex-disc using new self-locking nuts. Molded ar-
rows (arrows) on coupling should point towards flange arms.
4 On vehicles with aluminum driveshaft, use coated washers to
prevent contact corrosion.
- Counterhold bolts while tightening nuts.
Tightening torque
Aluminum driveshaft to flex-disc
M12 (use coated washers) 90
Nm (66 ft-lb)
Steel driveshaft to flex-disc
MI0 (8.8 grade) 48
Nm (35 ft-lb)
- MI0 (10.9 grade) 60 Nm (44 ft-lb)
Coated washers - MI2 (8.8 grade) 5027500 . Mi2 (10.9 grade)
M14 81
Nm (60 ft-lb) 100 Nm (74 ft-lb)
140 Nm (103 ft-lb)
- Install driveshaft as described earlier
Center bearing assembly, replacing
The center bearing assembly consists of a grooved ball bear-
ing in a rubber mount. The bearing assembly is pressed
the driveshaft.
- Remove driveshaft. See Driveshaft, removing
- Matchmark front and rear driveshaft sections before
separating.
Remove bolt (arrow) securing front and rear halves of
driveshaft and pull driveshaft apart.
- Remove shim and dust shield, where fitted
- Use puller to remove center bearing assembly from
driveshaft. onto

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Steering and Wheel ~li~nrnentl
q Pry gently to detach flexible cover from upper trim. Lift off
trim.
< Remove lower dash trim panel fasteners (A) and (B).
Lower trim panel and disconnect wiring harnesses on back
side of panel.
Remove trim panel.
- Installation is reverse of removal.
Ignition switch ring antenna (EWS),
removing and installing
- Remove upper and lower steering column trim as described
earlier.
- Disconnect electrical harness plug from ring antenna.
- Use flat side of BMW special tool 61 3 300 to pry ring antenna
off ignition lock cylinder.
- Installation is reverse of removal.
lgnition lock cylinder, removing and
installing
- Disconnect negative (-) cable from battery.
CAUTION-
Prior to disconnecting the battery, read the battery discon-
nection cautions given
in 001 General Cautions and
Warnings.
- Remove upper and lower steering column trim as described
earlier.

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Rear Suspension
Air spring, removing and installing
CAUTION-
If vehicle is driven with airspring depressurized, the airspring
will be permanently damaged and must be replaced.
An air spring is made from a flexible rubber material which
forms an airtight cavity. It is pressurized by an air supply
pump activated by an electronic control unit to provide a
vari- . . able spring rate depending on vehicle load
CAUTIOIG
Disable air supply pump by disconnecting electrical plug
before performing any repairs. Pump is located beneath a
cover under the spare tire in the floor of
the cargo compart-
ment.
When removing and installing air connections, extreme
cleanliness must be followed. Small dirt particles can
cause leakage in the system.
Remove luggage compartment floor mat.
- Working above air spring, loosen quick coupling screw con-
nection to allow
air pressure to escape.
- Once pressure has been reduced, retighten screw.
Tightening torque Quick coupling screw
to air pump 2 Nm (18 in-lb)
- Remove quick coupler. Plug openings to keep dirt out,
- Remove air spring mounting clips.
- Raise car and remove rear wheels.
Make sure the car is firmly supported on jack stands de-
signed for the purpose. Place jack stands underneath struc-
tural chassis points. Do not place
jaclc stands under
suspension parts.
- Working underneath rear suspension, lift wheel bearing car-
rier to relieve rear spring tension. Then unbolt air spring
mounting bolt from seat on wheel bearing carrier. Remove air
spring.
NOTE-
Left and right air springs are different. The left air spring is
marked with a red identification
marl. The right air spring is
marked with a blue identification mark.

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I Final Drive
4 Support inner hub with BMW special tools 26 1 110 and
press axle shaft out of joint using BMW special tool 21 2 120.
- Clean all old lubricant off shaft splines and inner joint splines.
If the CVjoint must be disassembled for cleaning and inspec-
tion, be sure to matchmark inner and outer race and interme-
diate ball cage. This allows reassembly
ofparfs in their
original positions.
NOTE-
To inspect a CVjoint, clean away the grease and loolc forgall-
ing, pitting, and other signs of wear orphysical damage. Pol-
ishedsurfaces or visible ball traclts alone are not necessarily
cause forreplacement. Discoloration due to overheating indi-
cates
laclt of lubrication.
- Slide CV joint boot onto axle shaft
- Apply LoctiteO270 or an equivalent heavy-duty loclting corn-
pound to drive axle splines. Position new CV joint on shaft so
that raised or taller side of hub is facing shaft.
WARNING-
Do not let the locking compound contact the balls in the joint.
Apply only a thin coat to cover the splines.
While supporting axle shaft with BMW special tool
33 2 130
press inner hub of CV joint onto shaft. Install a new circlip.
- Install new boot clamps.
- Use sealing gel to seal dust cover to CV joint prior to reinstal-
lation.
NOTE-
* Do not let the ball hub pivot too far in the outer ring of the
joint.
Tlie balls will fa1 out.
Before installing each small boot clamp be sure to
'burp"the
boot by flexing the CVjoint. A small screwdriver inserted be-
tween the boot and the axle shafl will help the process.
CV joint lubricant capacity
Wheel hub end
80 gram (2.8 oz)
Differential end
85 gram (3.0 oz)

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INDEX 5
WARNING
Your common sense, good
judgement, and general alerlness are
crucial lo
safe and successful service ivork. Before attempling any work on
your
BMW be sure lo read 001
General Warnings and Cautions
and the copyright page at the
fronl of
Ihe manual. Review these warnings
and
cautions each lime you prepare
to work on your BMW Please also
read any warnings and cautions tliat
accompany Nie procedures in the
manual.
Exhaust manifold see Exhaust system
Exhaust system diagrams
180.1 1
exhaust manifolds, removinglinstalling
180-4 muifier, replacing 180-8
oxygen sensors 180-8
and catalytic converter 020-1 9
see also Fuel injection
removinglinstalling 180-2
see also Maintenance
Expansion tank
see Cooling system
Expansion valve
see
NC
Exterior lighting
see
Lights
Exterior trim
BMW emblem
(Roundel), removing1
installing
510-13 body side molding, replacing 510.13
grill, removinglinsialiing 510-14
headlight housing trim, removing1
installing 510-14
outside mirror
510-2
EWS (electronic immobilization)
515-21 ring antenna,
iemovinglinstaiting
320-1 1
Fan see Cooling system Fault
codes
OBD-2
storage
100-4. 600.10
Fender
front, rernovinglinstailing
410-2
Filters see Maintenance
Final drive
lubricant
speciiicatiorls 020-9
mounh, replacing 331-12
oil level 020-26. 331-6
removinglinslalling 331-5 seals 331-7
Firing order
see Ignition system
FtS
see Interior protectiorl
Flex disc
see Driveshaft
Fluids and lubricants see Maintenance
Flywheel removinglinstalling 210-13
Fogllght
see Lights
Front centering guide see Driveshatt
Front oil seal
see
Crankshaft oil seals
Front suspension control arm
310-12 description 300-2
ride height 300-14
stabilizer bar, removinglinstalling
310-21
strutslsprings 31
0-4
tension strut 310-16
thrust arm 310-12 variations 310-4
wheel bearing 310-18
see also Maintenance
Fuel filter
see Maintenance
Fuet injection applications 130-2
Bosch M5.2, M5.2.1 130-46
Bosch ME 7.2 130-66 fuel delivery
see 130 under appropriate iuel
injection system
see also Fuel pump
see also
Fuet tank
oxygen sensors
130-72, 180-8
Siemens MS 41.1 130-7 Siemens MS 42.0. MS 43.0 130-23
Fuel injector
see 130 under appropriate fuel
injection system
Fuel level sender
160-15
see also Fuei pump
Fuel pressure
160-10
see also Fuel pump
Fuel pump
160-3
electrical circuit, testino 160-7
1
removinglinstalling (includes right side
iuel levei sender) 160-15
siphon pump, removinglinstaliing
160-19
troubleshooting 160-6 see also Fuel tank
Fuel rail
see 130 under appropriate iuel
injection system
Fuei supply
130-6
see also Fuei pump
see also
Fuet lank
Fuel
tank
312-way valve (running losses.
removinglinstalling
160-24 carbon canister 160-24
draining 160-20
evaporative control system 160-3
expansion tank, removinglinstalling
160-23
I
leak detection unit (LDP or DM-TL),
rernovinoiinstallino 160-24
level senier 160-15
removinglinstalling 160-21
Fuse locations
610-29
RV (remote entry)
see Central
locl(ing
Fan clutch
see Cooling system, cooling fan