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Installing a pair of GKN E30 axles on the Black Flagged BMW

E30 Axle installation

There may come a time when the drive axles on your E30 need to be replaced. They could be rusty (like mine were). The CV joints might be toast (since they’re not independently rebuildable). Or maybe you hit a rock or slammed one on a curb at the track. Whatever your reason for needing to replace the axles on your BMW, as E30 owners we’re fortunate that we have quality replacement axles for purchase.

The GKN E30 Axles from eEuroParts.com are those quality axles. GKN is the OE for BMW, and if you were to buy the (very expensive) Genuine BMW axle from the dealer, chances are it will be stamped with a GKN logo.  Save some money and get the same product, that’s why eEuro is a great place to get your DIY projects under budget.  Anyway.

Removing the axles isn’t terribly hard. The hardest part is prying the old lock plate free. A little flat head screwdriver, chisel, or pry will work. Then remove the axle nuts while the car is on the ground. Those nuts are torqued too tight to do that with the car in the air—it would be dangerous. Suspend the axle from the body with some stiff wire so that it doesn’t drop when you push it from the hub, then use a two or three job puller to press the axle from the hub. Just remember to remove the axle nut first. After you press it from the hub, remove the six Allen bolts that hold the axle to the differential. Make sure any dirt, grease, or road grime is removed from the inside of those bolts or there’s a good chance you’ll strip them. Once the bolts are removed your axle is free. Remove the wire and pull out your old axle.

Installation is almost the reverse of removal. The only difference is you can’t use that two or three jaw puller to pull the axle back into the hub. And if you’ve ever tried to manually line up the splines and shove that axle through the hub you’ll know it’s almost impossible. But there’s a workaround that makes it super easy. The Ford Front Hub Installer 3532. You can find it online for $10. It was meant for some mid 90’s Ford cars, but the thread pitch matches up with the M22 x 1.5 on the drive axles of the 1991 318is.

e30 axle installation black flagged

Suspend the new axle with wire from the body, line the threaded end up with the hub, slide the tool through the hub and thread it onto the end of the axle, then put the spacer, washer, and nut on it, and tighten the nut.

E30 Axle installation

The axle will line itself up with the hub splines and slide in like Ricky Henderson stealing third base. Remove the tool, put a little oil on the axle nut and tighten that nut hand tight. You’ll torque these down to 144–155 ft-lbs when the car is on the ground.  After you torque it, put in a new lock plate. Next, line up the other end of the axle with the drive flange on the differential, install the six Allen head bolts and three reinforcement plates, torque to 42–46 ft-lbs, and remove the wire that’s been holding the axle up.

Installing a pair of GKN E30 axles

Repeat with the other axle.

Now you can lower the car and torque the axle bolts to 200 ft-lbs.

Brand new axles on your E30! Can’t beat that. Now go drive that thing, hard.

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Working on cars is dangerous, always be careful and be aware of the hazards of working on any vehicle. eEuroparts.com (Newparts Inc) is not responsible for any injury, up to and including death, as a result of working on any vehicle suggested or implied on this website.