rear driveshaft input seal (pinion seal) bad
 

Hi all,

I've got an '07 530xit with 78K miles. It's got a minor vibration from 60-75mph, nothing in the steering wheel, it feels central in the car, all tires are round and have been balanced on stock 17" rims. I recently took the car from CO to PA and back at high speed, putting about 5k on the car in three weeks. Now the pinion seal is leaking, where the driveshaft enters the rear diff.

Considering the nature of the vibration and the recently new leaking pinion seal, I'm thinking the driveshaft carrier bearing might have some play in it, vs guibo, vs trans mounts. Local shop wants $1800 to do a drive shaft swap with a rebuilt unit and replace the pinion seal.

I'm a good wrench with the tools and the space and I'm thinking about doing the job myself. Pelican has a great writeup on it. Rebuilt driveshafts with the carrier bearing in place are $4-500.

Anyone dealt with the pinion seal swap? Is replacing the seal the same deal as the half shaft seals on the side of the diff?

How about the carrier bearing? Once you have the driveshaft out, it that pretty easy to put in?

About how long did it take you?

Thanks,
Jon

BMW Workshop Manuals > 5 Series E60 530xi (N52K) SAL > 2 Repair Instructions > 33 Rear Axle > 11 Final Drive With Cover > 5 RA Replacing Shaft Seal For Input Flange On Rear Differential > Page 1054

Haven't looked in Bentley to see if they have anything.

Thank you!

I found this too. Looks like a few special tools required.

http://www.autozone.com/repairinfo/r...00c152801b2d5e

Interesting...Autozone has BMW TIS pictures.

There are special tools and then there are special tools. Not sure any of these are super special. But, it does look like it is a much easier job with the differential on the bench.

Just did a The Guibo and CSB replacement ok my driveshaft. I would personally say it's easy just very tedious work. At first it will and does look very very intimidating, but don't worry. If you have the right tools and space than you're good to go