BMW E39 M5 Differential Bushing DIY

This video demonstrates how to replace the rear differential bushings on a BMW E39 M5.
PARTS:
(1) Front OEM Bushing: 33171090389
(1) Front Mount Bolt: 33176760342
(1) Front Mount Nut: 33326760380
(2) Rear OEM Bushings: 33171093008
(2) Rear Mount Bolts: 33326760346
(2) Rear Mount Nuts: 33326760374
Optional: (1) Unicorn Egg Front Bushing: bit.ly/2RJM6EW
TOOL:
Bushing Press Tool: BGS Technic model number BGS6456.
TORQUES:
Wheels: 89lb/ft
Axles to Differential: 59lb/ft
Subframe to Chassis: 120lb/ft
Driveshaft to Differential: 47lb/ft
Driveshaft to Guibo: 73lb/ft
Guibo to Transmission: 73lb/ft
Driveshaft Center Support Bearing to Chassis: 20lb/ft
Front Differential Mount: 110lb/ft
Rear Differential Mounts: 77lb/ft (do before front mount)
E39Source website: www.e39source.com
Help support E39Source by donating: www.e39source.com/donate

[@PursuitMode2011]

Ryan is a true BMW engineer!! Awesome videos as usual!!

[@944obscene]

GREAT DIY, AND LONG NEEDED! I've been putting this off for some time myself (haven't driven the car much in 2 years due to this job). Thank you for linking parts and tools.

[@fredrik3863]

I did a diff swap as the old one had some bearing noise. As I did this the hard way, not removing the exhaust (only lowered it at the rear) and only using jackstands on the garge floor. I regret not replacing the bushings when I had it down. Now I sometimes have a "kick in the floor" when accelerating hard... Thanks for the video. I just wished I replaced my bushings when I had the chance :D

[@vbsource6209]

Great and helpful video as always! The only thing I would like to point out for fellow E39 M5 owners: having dealt with the front differential bushing several times, I found out that new bushings need to be slipped in place from the frond side (just like in this video), because from the front side the subframe has a wider opening exactly for this job.

[@adammarcos6582]

you all probably dont give a damn but does someone know a way to get back into an Instagram account? I stupidly lost my account password. I appreciate any tips you can offer me

[@stashtrey1]

I literally just completed this job last night in my garage. Holy hell that differential is heavy! I had the same symptoms in my '00 M5. Feels like a different car now.

[@stashtrey1]

Ha! I got the same trans jack as well. Awesome little tool! I ended up by buying a couple of Vibrant exhaust coupler/clamps and cut my mufflers at just in front of the back end of the driveshaft. That way I didn't need to mess with the front exhaust section and risk breaking bolts.

[@governmentequalsmindcontrol]

Omg!! Someone on youtube actually pronounced it right (giubo)... Thanks for the video... and you guys heading to timmay fest this year???

[@E39Source]

@@governmentequalsmindcontrol I'll probably make my way back to Ohio for the fest!

[@governmentequalsmindcontrol]

@@E39Source maybe i can cruise down in your group if you guys go. Im right at the 71 and 76 interchange in seville. Ill keep an eye out for any info you put out come May. 👌

[@E39Source]

@@governmentequalsmindcontrol I won't have my car, but I'll be in a friend's most likely. Stay tuned!

[@borisp9499]

Great video. Just a thought on the front differential attachment point. From the factory all 3 diff bushings we rubber, so the diff was allowed to move a bit. Now you installed solid front bushing and soft rear bushing. As such, now the back is allowed to move, but the front bushing no longer has any flexibility, therefore all the force/vibration in the front will be exerted onto the weak aluminum bracket which isn't reinforced here. I think that increases the chance of failure for the front diff mounting point. Curious to know if you have any follow-up on this car since almost a year has passed.

[@E39Source]

The front mounts fail due to worn out rubber bushings. As the rubber wears, the diff is given more and more freedom to move around, and acts like a jack hammer on the front mount until it breaks. The solid bushing means there is no movement, so the diff never gets to hammer against the front mount. I would be shocked to see front mount failure with the solid bushing. A year later, the car is strong, feeling and driving great!

[@jedfehrenbach9470]

I ordered the bushings thinking, yeah, I'lll just pop the car up on jackstands...oomph. What do you estimate a shop would charge in labor for the three bushing replacement? you mentioned 16 hour day and I am getting a little scared. Thanks!

[@larrycunningham4826]

Well done. Your competent and thorough instructions, delivery and voice inflection are excellent. Among other things, I teach emergency responders and the military about counter-terrorism and emergency response protocols. I rate their teach-back performances. You would rate among the top of the class! You have convinced me and given me confidence to refurbish my 2003 540i. Thanks very much! I could not find the bushing tool from the UK. I am interested in your most reliable source of OE parts. Also, what is your recommendation for a car lift?

[@E39Source]

Thank you so much for your comment and kind words! I see that the tool is not available from the usual suppliers, but it does show as available here: tinyurl.com/yxwjjyw4

[@borisp9499]

Can you remove the battery box from the trunk to get access to the right bushing? Seems like that would be an easier solution than lowering the subframe.

[@E39Source]

You could remove the battery and accessory box, yes. But there is a little lip that is part of the chassis that would still slightly be in the way

[@diaboleux]

can the vibrations be felt in the center bearing of the propeller shaft ? where did you feel the hammer, how did you make the diagnosys difference between center bearing and rear bush issue ?? thanks !!

[@E39Source]

Driveshaft center support bearing failure usually starts as a metallic clinking noise when you first begin to move from 0mph either forwards or backwards. Complete failure happens under load and comes from the center console area. Rear differential bushings should be inspected for cracks and material breakdown.

[@florianrazvan4777]

It will be because of the front brackets of the differential has the rubber bush worn. the cardan hits the chassis 180º up, when I accelerate hard?so what symptoms do they have?sorry for my english, I used the translator

[@E39Source]

Bad diff bushing symptoms would be clunks when accelerating, as the diff moves around in its mounts. A visual inspection on the bushings is what you need.

[@edwardregalado1482]

Hi, I’ll be coming down to San Diego to your shop. Abt. What is price for both rear and front bushings change?

[@E39Source]

Hello! Please email me at [e-mail] so we can get an appointment made for you and so I can get you a formal quote for this job.

[@mrmick12321]

I have a question about the e39 bi-xenon headlight, what are the inner lights for? Can't seem to figure it out, nothing on the internet either?

[@E39Source]

The E39 never came with bi-xenon headlights. The inner halogen lights are the high beams. Perhaps somebody retrofit bi-xenons on your car, so now the inners are useless?

[@mrmick12321]

@@E39Source oh i see, but it did come with normal xenon for the low beams? And halogen for high beams?

[@E39Source]

@@mrmick12321 Yes, that's right.

[@thrty8street]

Do you have the link to the tool used in this video? You mentioned it’s from eBay.

[@E39Source]

www.ebay.com/itm/384638791715

[@jedfehrenbach9470]

Do you think this is possible with the lift from costco that raises the car 17.5 inches. Its called a quickjack, $1200. Maybe a good investment if that's the cost of having a shop do this...

[@E39Source]

Possible, sure, though still unpleasant.

[@jedfehrenbach9470]

@@E39Source I can imagine...thanks again for the video and I did order the unicorn egg.

[@andrewduffie]

Is this process similar on a 6-cylinder E39?

[@E39Source]

The primary difference between an M5 and the other E39s is with the spare tire well. The M5 does not have a spare tire well, rather that black plastic sump for storing the compressor and other items. This means that the subframe will need to drop down further to allow the tool to fit to press the bushings in/out. I would disconnect the calipers and electronics (headlight level sensor, wheel speed sensors), and just drop the whole subframe down onto a stand to service it.

[@elmasloco822]

eBay link for the press doesn’t work anymore, does anyone know where I can find it?

[@E39Source]

This tool seems to be no longer available, and I am not yet aware of another solution.

[@hansbrix2495]

I think it is made by BGS Technic model number BGS6456. Search for that.

[@E39Source]

@@hansbrix2495 YES! That is it. Thank you so much.

[@younglile]

whats the part number for that bolt and nut?

[@E39Source]

The bushing press tool? That is linked in the description, it is not a BMW part.

[@younglile]

E39Source no, the bolt(hardware) that goes into the bushing. I’m afraid mine will be damaged.

[@E39Source]

@@younglile I have added the diff mount nuts and bolts part numbers to the description.

[@Codeman785]

This project is a rip to us guys with a spare tire bin ☠️