Finally on my 2011 750il left front axel is about to die. It was very minimal earlier, i could hear few ticking during turns, now it is very loud. I can feel the bearing rumble in steering wheel. I ordered a new axel part number 31 607 606 027. It was diagnosed by BMW. I am trying to attempt this journey on my own. Any helpful hint or comment will be appreciated.
eplacing my front left axel. I have axel removed, the axel i have on hand seems to have shorter inner boot then the oem. I ordered a new boot. any one has replaced the front axel inner boot? what is the trick? I can cut the old one and figure it out, be messy, I am sure someone has replaced the boot.
Thanks
Is the axle the correct size and just the boot is different? I wouldn't mess with it just because the boot looks different. If everything else is the same, then just install it.
ASE and BMW Master Certified Technician
White94RX
Thank you so much for responding. It looks the same, on new part boot looks shorter then OEM shaft i removed. I saw few youtube video's and someone had comment about boot on certain GKN shafts maybe short and needs replaced. I ordered one from Rock auto, OEM was $89.00 and our BMW store did not have in stock. Then I counted the rings on new one, on old one and the new shaft I am installing. They are same, count 9. However when i lay both shafts side by side the new one I am installing, boot looks about half inch shorter then the one that came out of my car. There was a comment, if driving straight it would not matter but during full turn it may effect and shaft may disengage due to short boot. I will measure the total lenght of each shaft and if they are exactly the same, not worry about boot and install it?
Any comment will be appreciated and truly respect your knowledge and experience.
Thanks
If the axle is the same, I wouldn't be concerned about the boot.
Sent from my Pixel XL using Tapatalk
ASE and BMW Master Certified Technician
Shaft is installed. Process went well. Replacing inner seal in housing was a little challenge but overall it was fairly simple. Have not driven the car, I decided to change TIE rod end fitting. So it will be tomorrow when all is done, provided i dont break anything.
Shaft got installed, tie rod fittings changed, test drive went fine. In parking lot everything worked fine, turned steering sharp left and right no issues. Today drove the car to work, 13 miles trip. On way back home made a stop and had to take a hard left turn, felt like the shaft popped out from inner slot. It was late and car started making bad noise. Pulled over, nothing looked abnormal. Had to get it towed on truck back home. Scratching my head what went wrong. I am dumbfounded, what i missed. Compared both shafts for size, took it to a drive shaft specialist for opinion, they said it looks the same. I will check over weekend what went wrong.
Update.
My bolt going through wheel hub to shaft came loose. Luckily no damage noted. After hearing the nosie i stopped the car and did not move an inch. Had it trailered to my house. removed the tire and center bolt dropped to floor. Not sure how it happened. Installed new bolt and torqued it as specified limits. Seems like it fixed the problem. I have been driving it for two days no issues. Tested it very hard turnings both left and right in big parking lot and no issues.
you better off buying a complete axle and stop being cheap.
I was not being cheap. Purchased the complete axel. Center bolt was not torqued properly to the limit, which came loose. Error on my part. Nothing to do with being cheap.
Bookmarks