Bearings removal and reinstallation on diff

[bimmerred535i]

Has anyone had the unpleasurable task of removing the input shaft or drive flange bearings on their differential?

http://www.realoem.com/bmw/showparts.do?model=HD13&mospid=47408&btnr=33_0473&hg=33&fg=10

If I replace these bearings would I be able to do it without removing my differential from the car. Do these need pressed out or could I slowly remove them with a slide hammer?


I am deciding whether to replace the bearings ($120 + my time) in my current 3.64 LSD or buy a used LSD at ($250-300+ my time)

Any opinions would be great Thanks.

[yaofeng]

Input shaft, yes.

http://www.bimmerboard.com/forums/posts/705713

Output drive flanges, no.

[ArnZ!]

To change the input shaft bearings you need to take the diff out and take out the insides of the diff. Changing the output flange bearings can be done in the car, but if you want to check backlash and preload your gonna need to take it out.

[bimmerred535i]

Thanks, for my sake it seems cheaper to buy a used diff and slowly rebuild mine on a rainy day

[winfred]

you can see a little of the side bearing job here in my post about installing a carrier where i reuse the bearings from the original http://www.bimmernut.com/forum/showthread.php?t=42133