LEMON Manuals: Even more car manuals for everyone: 1960-2025
Home >> BMW >> 2012 >> X1 >> Repair and Diagnosis >> Drivelines & Axles >> Axle Shafts >> Front Axle - Repair >> Front Axle Gearbox >> 31 50... Changing front differential oil
July 1: So it begins. Don't worry, this is not in the correct legal jurisdiction!

31 50... Changing front differential oil

Special tools required: 

IMPORTANT: If oil is filled up to the lower edge of the oil filler opening, the front axle differential would be overfilled and in rare individual cases oil could emerge from the ventilation opening on the front axle differential.
After releasing front axle differential oil, the front axle differential must be filled with 600 ml  transmission oil!
Use only the APPROVED OIL in the front axle differential.
Failure to comply with this requirement will result in serious damage to the front axle differential!
NOTE: Only change oil when front axle differential is at normal operating temperature.

Necessary preliminary tasks: 

Checking and correcting the front axle differential oil level: 

The front axle differential is subject to oil filling over its lifetime. An oil-level adjustment is not needed during a service. If there is a visible leakage of oil or after a repair to the front axle differential, follow the instructions in "Replacing front axle differential oil"!

Changing front differential oil: 

Place oil collecting apparatus underneath.

Remove oil drain plug (1).

Drain front axle differential oil.

Replace sealing ring, screw in oil drain plug (1) and tighten down.

Tightening torque 31 50 2AZ .

Undo oil filler plug (2).

Top up with 600 ml  front axle differential oil. (if necessary, use measuring cup and special tool 00 2 080 )

Fig 1: Identifying Oil Drain Plug And Oil Filler Plug
G04745220Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.

Installation note: 

Replace sealing ring.

Tightening torque 31 50 2AZ .