BMW F30 xDrive Axle Shaft Replacement (BMW F30, F31 328i, 330i, & More)

►Replacing a BMW F30 axle shaft can be a daunting task at first thought. If you're experiencing grinding or clicking when turning, there's a good chance your axle shaft is to blame, and you should replace it sooner rather than later.
If your car is lowered on coilovers or lowering springs, this puts additional strain on these axle shafts. You can expect to need to replace them sooner than if your car was at stock ride height. The same goes for if you've modified your car to make more horsepower and torque. Expect to replace the axles more often than if your car was making stock power. This, however, is a good opportunity to take advantage of our Lifetime Replacement Guarantee.
In today's video, Gareth Foley, our BMW Catalog Manager, shows you how to replace the driver's side axle shaft and seal on a 2013 F30 BMW 328i xDrive.
Read this DIY on our blog: blog.fcpeuro.com/how-to-repla...
Shop the Parts Used in This Video:
Axle: www.fcpeuro.com/products/bmw-...
Axle: www.fcpeuro.com/products/bmw-...
Axle Seal :www.fcpeuro.com/products/bmw-...
Axle Bolt: www.fcpeuro.com/products/bmw-...
This Video Applies to the Following Vehicles:
BMW 328i xDrive
2013 BMW 328i xDrive
BMW 335i xDrive
2013 BMW 335i xDrive
BMW 320i xDrive
2013 BMW 320i xDrive
Index
00:00 - 00:40 Intro
00:40 - 02:30 Tools Needed to Complete this Job
02:30 - 03:50 Wheel & Axle Bolt Removal
03:50 - 04:30 Brake Caliper, Carrier & Rotor Removal
04:30 - 05:15 Tie Rod Removal
05:15 - 06:30 Old Axle Removal & Inspection
06:30 - 08:00 Axle Seal Install
08:00 - 10:40 Axle & Tie Rod Install
10:40 - 11:20 Rotor, Caliper & Carrier Reinstall
11:20 - 12:58 Thanks for Watching!
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[@maxwellkeeling3781]

Found that I only had to unbolt the wishbone but because the bolt was so tight I was able to remove the nut and torque it later without having to use the T40! I also didn’t have to remove the rotor or brake caliper. I just made some slack on the brake line and popped off the headlight levelling arm so it wouldn’t get yanked. The axle took a few blows to get it out but it was removing the oil seal that was the worst to remove. New one in worked best tapping in with a socket extension around to make it flush (had a pipe about the same diameter but I couldn’t get the seal to be level). All in all not bad! This video did help me out a bunch. Great job guys! My axle was fine but my oil seal was bad, slow leak, mainly on the highway. The tightening spring that clamps down on the seal to the axle, part of the guide had torn so it was kinda popped off. I also topped off my diff fluid (did a fluid change previously to see if that would stop the leak; nopes).

[@mariopaul6505]

Have been watching Gareth do DIY's on this channel since I was 16! I'm 23 now and this channel has helped me a lot! Would love to hopefully meet him one day and see the FCP Euro facility since i'm not too far away!

[@charlesberry4958]

Gareth!!!! Great videos and dude.... you have great delivery. Keep em coming!!!

[@westhavenor9513]

Great video! I think even I could do this repair myself. Thank you.

[@0x8080]

This cleared up the axle seal portion I was wondering about. I have both axles out of my F10 and all these parts are basically the same platform. I've got $1,400 of suspension parts arriving, just after spending $1,200 on GKN axles. Ordered through FCP. Thanks for the videos. Next up is the transmission service.

[@PovertyDIY]

Any tips on removing the passenger side? I need to replace my axle seal.

[@jaybran61]

Just replaced mine with the axle I got through you guys as well as the seal! Thank you so much! Though, I took mine out a different way and took the axle out toward the front if the car. Found it to be way easier, all I had to do was undo the bottom sway bar end link to get more clearance and take off the dust shield to the brakes. Nonetheless, solid video!

[@metman3]

Thanks for doing these videos, guys! Very informative! I do wonder though, how much of Gareth cursing gets edited out of these.. 😆

[@jirkahlavacek8814]

Great video! Thanks!

[@rodrigomeca]

Dont forget to top up your diff fluid! Good job guys!!

[@dsel307]

I feel much more confident about doing this myself. Thank you

[@fcpeuro]

You got this!

[@mariusnenu]

As always, great video! Are you guys planning to do a rear axle replacement video as well? ISTA says to drop the diff, but can you do it if you just undo a bunch of suspension arms and move the hub out of the way?

[@NannaSandbjerg]

thanks for making this video, mesers all over the world 🌐 can get help, keep it up 👍

[@mikimiki195]

Can you guys do BMW n63 engine serpentine belt and tensioner There is literally no videos on you tube on this project 👍🏻

[@lukaszborucki]

Great video, thanks for this tutorial. Just one concern of the snap ring from the removed axle, there may be a chance the debris are left inside the diff box. Did it come off quite easily? Thanks!

[@3xcelsi0r10]

I need help with getting out my rear axle ! I want to swap out my differantial. Pls advice

[@TheYellowd]

Thanks for one more of your awesome videos although I'm would not be able to do any of these repairs. I have a f30 from 2018 and I noticed a small vibration in the steering wheel at average speed. Would you know if related or linked to a suspension issue ? BMW dealer would probably just tell me it's the road feeling from bmw.. :(

[@txloco420]

Any chance to make a video showing how to replace the siren alarm for the F30? My alarm keeps randomly going off and apparently it’s the internal batteries of the siren so it needs to be replaced, I have not found any tutorials anywhere, thank you in advance

[@F30_Hellion]

Hello. Thanks for the video I am replacing mine next week because I crashed my car. However the rear one needs replacing as well. Is it the same procedure? F30 330dx. Thanks

[@bravo09010901]

Is there a specific size axle popper tool that I'll need to remove the front-right shaft?

[@richardnunez8338]

Just ordered GKN axles for a F10, are the torque specs same? Great video brotha

[@sjman6064]

Do you recommend an alignment after the axle is installed?

[@davidkazak2071]

Dose these DIY steps also apply to a rear axle?

[@jonowen6612]

Good stuff. Thanks!

[@fcpeuro]

Glad you liked it!

[@garrysidhu2636]

@fcpeuro is the process similar for the rear axle in terms of the seal? You need to replace it? I had to take out both of rear axles and have already put one of them back without replacing the seal. Any help is appreciated. Thanks

[@saganworshipper6062]

@FCP Euro Hi, I have an E90 with 89k miles on it that I bought almost 2 years ago (2008 328xi 6MT) but the car came with hardly any maintenance history. I don't have any consistent CV joint clicking noise going on (YET) and the car drives as it should, but I do notice a slight noise when I first start the car, when it's cold out, when I go to back out of the parking space and turn the wheel I hear like a single click (not 100% sure if it's an axle noise but believe so) ...but once the car warms up I don't notice the sound anymore, if that makes sense? It doesn't click around corners or any of the other normal obvious CV joint symptoms, and the boots don't appear to be compromised, but I was thinking of replacing the axles merely as a preventative. It doesn't have a lot of miles for it's age, but it is 12 years old now. What is the average life on these axles? (Also I live in CT so you know how bad the winters are here.) There was only 1 previous owner before me (a woman in her 50's) and she always garaged the car and never took it out in snow but I don't have a garage and it's my only car lol sooo it's seeing plenty of NE weather. Do you think this is a good idea to pro-actively change the axles, or should I leave it until it becomes symptomatic? Are there other suspension components that I should get to before the axles? Initially my idea was that once the car hits 100k I planned to do the entire suspension refresh (front and back with your kit or the ECS one ...shhhh) and at the same time get some coilovers installed. I'm going to have my local mechanic do the work, but what else is good to replace when you have most of the suspension off the car? Like is that a good time to do the oil pan gasket as well? I just want to kill the most birds with the fewest rocks as possible. Also, if I do end up getting something like one of your suspension refresh kits, is that the time to also do the subframe bushings, and what do you suggest as the best replacement as far as bushings go? Stick with OE or is there a better option for a similar price? If I split the job into two parts, front and back, which one is better to do first? I know this turned into a wall of text but any advice is greatly appreciated. Maybe you can break down my questions into chunks. This is my first BMW and I'm a chef, not a mechanic, but after 2 years I haven't had really ANYTHING break on the car and it runs smooth as butter. The research I did before buying the car pointed to the N52 as being fairly reliable and I can certainly attest to that. The only things I had done were what a friend told me to do since I had no history other than seeing on the carfax that all the recalls had been completed by the dealer. The things I have done so far (all parts purchased from FCP Euro and all as preventative maintenance ) is install genuine BMW aluminum pedals and matching foot rest. I got the leather M shift knob/boot, all new OE plugs and coils, new serpentine belt, tensioner idler pulley, air filter, cabin air filter, and I used the Liqui Moly engine flush when I changed the oil with fresh Liqui Moly and added the CeraTec to the oil. I also did the Liqui Moly fuel system treatment. I know these cars start having issues right around this age/mileage so the more I can stay ahead, the better. No sign of any OFHG leakage yet, but I plan on doing that when I do my next oil change... even though it might have already been done, because again, I have zero history. Anyways, doubt anyone will read all this because you guys are so busy so I may copy/paste it as an email and see if anyone has time to respond in depth. Thanks for all these videos! At some point I will start investing in some tools and get to wrenching on her myself. Big THANK YOU!!

[@bradsouthard5614]

Is this similar on 2016 f10 535i xdrive?

[@teromarjamaki]

Shouldn't the final torquing be done only after the wheels are on and the car is on the ground? 🤔

[@ShowMeWhatINeedToKnow]

What about the diff oil?

[@davejones8811]

Does anyone know what brand BMW use or do they make them themselves. I dont want to use an aftermarket part if it is going to be inferior.

[@mikaelvoizard]

My seal is stuck in place how do I get it out, diff is off the car so have plenty of room

[@REFITSTUDIOS]

I have worn cv boot, will this fix the issue?

[@DabbingStoner818]

My rear left axle on my 328i is leaking fluid. Is NTN a good brand? its about $400. They also have GSP brand for about $100. any thoughts guys?

[@jkarasta1]

Whats that seal called in the transfer case? Actually, it looks like 2 seals, one on the cv and one in the transfer case. What are they called...on Rock auto, specifically? Appreciate any info!!!! I see a "transfer case input shaft seal" a "transfer case output shaft sleeve" and a "transfer case output shaft seal"?

[@harry554]

You don’t need to grease the wheel hub?

[@pooky9775]

Very informative, thanks! Would you make a generalized tool recommendation video? I know it's a bit off topic but a lot of guys recommend tools for Asian or domestic brands. I want to know what do I need to start on Euro cars. I know lots of tamper proof, torx and external torx, triple square for VAG etc. but what's the rule of thumb is? An example: Toyota guys say 10-12mm sockets are the most used, 3/8" ratchets pretty much every time but they don't need 24mm wrenches for instance. It would be a great help if you guide people like me in that regard. What are the essentials? What general tools to add to our toolboxes as we progress? I have a BMW, what specific tools us BMW folks would need in the future? or what specific Mercedes tools that Mercedes guys would need? etc...

[@Swizzlestik]

BMW doesn't have anything super specific other than E Torx. So just get metric Allen bit sockets, metric shallow and deep sockets, A full etorx set. Metric wrenches ratcheting, and non ratcheting. I would mold my tool set to be universal though.

[@user-ms9yl2jk5j]

Thank you for nice tutorial video. Is it required to drain oil before dismantling? Is there any breather on the differential casing?

[@F80__Los]

No

[@Vindettta]

Does this apply to the 340 rwd

[@stevenhidalgo27]

Does this apply to F10 too?

[@LingLingPlayzmc]

Is this similar to the f10?

[@raymonddelgado5528]

From bmw, just the part alone is 1200 I can only imagine the labor. They’ll charge 8 hours of labor when this guy did it in a 15 min video

[@jameskelly9510]

Can you make videos on f10s

[@cmyousef]

Agreed! +1. Lots of F10’s out there. Too many F30 videos :)

[@hyde_official]

this car by now it's just new car.

[@kevin-jm3qb]

yea im just ganna take it to a shop :D

[@fcpeuro]

😂😂😂

[@arthur1920]

Please explain 210 NM plus 90 degrees. the 90 degree part.

[@jyw107]

You torque it to 210NM. Then you need to turn the bolt an additional 1/4 turn. So if your ratchet is straight up at noon you need to turn it until it’s at 3.

[@stevey500]

@@jyw107 Was the cv axle bolt replaced?

[@jyw107]

No clue. I was just explaining what 210NM plus 90 degrees meant.

[@willd3808]

cant find a video for a pass cv axle for a 08 328xi, is this anything near the same.

[@fcpeuro]

Hi Will, the idea itself is going to be very similar, however, torque specs and hardware is going to be different. The E9x chassis uses an axle nut, while the F30 uses an axle bolt. This may be a video we can get to in the future!

[@willd3808]

@@fcpeuro heck yeah that would be great, I need to fix mine soon. greatly appreciate the reply.

[@MiroToklika]

@@fcpeuro How different is on F10 535i xDrives?

[@ridiculousness7477]

Over a grand for an axle??? I’m not lowering my car

[@GHOST-im3xh]

I need to replace the front passenger CV axle on a F01 2012 BMW 750LI X-Drive does it work the same? And please do a videos on the N63 4.4V8 that BMW uses it will sure help a lot of DIY BMW owners

[@dannyrs8437]

Me too on my 2013 bmw 528i Xdrive. Driver side and passenger side front but expensive cv axle replacement...

[@brookedamayanti4182]

@@dannyrs8437 how much was the repair for it ? I have the same car and my driver side front axle is broken

[@198888joshua]

Hi I just bought lower front control arms , but I don’t know how to replace , I prefer paying someone who knows how to replace them , anyone here in New York , Oh I bought them from this company

[@rayj33]

only BMW will solve a problem which never existed. How's a spline axle better than slotted shaft?

[@andrewlee1126]

Is it really that easy to pop in? Why am I having a hard time? It only took him like 5 hit to pop it in…

[@fcpeuro]

Make sure the axle splines are lined up correctly, and you have the axle as straight as possible before tapping it in!

[@Davis95185]

I bet BMW charges over $1000 for that repair

[@Russteevee]

$1200

[@MattJonesYT]

Would be easier to listen to without so many "ahs"

[@aj2734]

no one agrees with you this guy is helpful