[PhaseP]

If it was missing the c-ring you would be able to pull the remaining part of the axle from the differential with no resistance. I highly doubt the mechanic would be installing the axle multiple times on warranty without noticing it is missing the ring. If differential is not holding the axle then again you should be able to remove the remaining part easily by pulling it out. Unless it popped out already, but then pop it back in place and try again it shouldn't come out easily by just pulling. My advice would be as I posted before by a low mileage used one but replace its boots with oem bmw boot replacement kits, then install.

[Jdylan2323]

Ok thanks I will replace it with a used oem.

[Jdylan2323]

I just found out it's not actually popping out of the differential. That end is staying in and is coming undone by the boot.

[bryansoccer7]

Did you ever find the problem? I'm having the same issue with my 335xi

[moapys]

Same here - on my 4th self replaced (three different mfrs/ last one "oem-rebuilt" Cardone). They barely last a month; and cannot believe that I'm installing them improperly; have been wrenching for 40 years...this isn't rocket science...but WTF?!

I'm wide open for ideas - no way I can pay OEM, but maybe a boneyard pull <sigh>

[Jdylan2323]

Still havent figured out the problem. One shop said I need to replace my suspension (kw V1) but the other mechanic said he doesn't see anything wrong with the suspension and as i have said its been installed for 6 years. Mechanic seems to think that the shafts are shorter than they are supposed to be but that seems unlikely since Ive had 2 OEM and two different aftermarket brands. anybody figure anything out?

[PhaseP]

Take a look a this thread, especially second (last) page, it was passenger side and the culprit was broken or loose engine mount bracket bolt causing engine to move around pulling on the axle. Yours is driver side but gives you some idea. You should look for anything that can cause the engine moving more than it should or geometry of the suspension off somehow due to something else around the suspension and engine.

http://www.e90post.com/forums/showth...ry+axle&page=2

[zole2112]

Hey Guys, glad I found this thread. I've been having this same issue, just ordered my 3rd OEM axle for my 2013 335xi.

I am going to replace my motor mounts I think. I didn't see anything wrong with them but I was contemplating changing them anyway.
Basically it comes down to the length of the axle shaft going to the inner cv joint with the tripod bearing assembly on the end. My car is lowered and the shaft comes completely out of the hub end on the differential. The issue I have concluded is with my car being lowered the distance between the differential and the wheel hub is now longer and combined with movement, which could be due to play at the motor mount, causes this distance to exceed the maximum length between the diff and the hub that the axle length can accommodate and one of the 3 bearing rips off of the shaft and the shaft comes out of the hub.

Here is my thread https://f30.bimmerpost.com/forums/sh....php?t=1514736

[Emilime75]

From the photos, the joint itself is coming apart, it isn't pulling out of the differential. I doubt lowering the car would be much at play here, but worn/broken engine/trans mounts could.

Is there a possibility of BMW making a change somewhere along the lines, and there being a difference in axle lengths between different years?

[zole2112]

I've studied this quite a bit and the end of that shaft has a tripod of 3 bearings on the end of it that are free to move in and out of that hub end on the diff. Here is what I have:

1) I had no issues until I installed my coil overs and lowered my car.
2) Since lowering my car I have blown out 3 OEM axles at the inner cv joint.
3) none of the bearings that I recovered show any signs of damage
4) The end of the axle has dropped down out of the hub everytime
5) it happened twice while turning right, once onto an onramp acclerating, once going straight and the last time (Sunday) going about 10 mph and about 100 ft after turning a 90 degree right corner.

I've checked everything on the front end while on a lift and cannot find anything at all.

My plan at this time is to change the engine mounts and when I have the car in the air on the lift I will measure the distance the axle tripod bearing are sitting into the hub along with the length of the shaft from the outer to inner cv joints. Then I can calculate where the bearings would sit at any diff height.
If I do find that the bearings are sitting close to the edge of the hub I have a guy who will make me a custom length axle that I will install.

Basically I need more facts vs theory before i move ahead. Any thoughts at all are definitely appreciated.

[zole2112]

Originally Posted by Emilime75

From the photos, the joint itself is coming apart, it isn't pulling out of the differential. I doubt lowering the car would be much at play here, but worn/broken engine/trans mounts could.

Is there a possibility of BMW making a change somewhere along the lines, and there being a difference in axle lengths between different years?

BMW used the same axle assembly part number 31607597694 across several platforms for at least 4 years or more based on realoem.

[mikebmx]

I know this is an old thread but thought it could help someone. I went in search of why my E90 Passenger Axle randomly popped out. I put new control arms and ball joints along with a new Axle since I was pulling it apart. It did it again the very same day I put it back together. Upon further inspection I could see the bracket to the motor mount had sheared the lower bolts and separated from the block. I was able to move the bracket around by hand to discover the top bolts were gone as well. In all the work I had just done I did not notice this bracket being loose. The vehicle had a little engine vibration the entire time I owned, which hasn't been long. I bought it as a non running vehicle that I have been slowly bringing back to life. I didn't think the vibration was so bad that I was going to drop the subframe and put new mounts in. Anyway I created a video to show a little about what I'm talking about and how I tackled it. I hope it helps someone in the future. I have seen several other posts about this snce I began searching for a fix. The bolts were not to tough to get out and it was actually fairly easy to replace the motor mount without lowering the subframe since the axle was out and I had most of the control arms off and out of the way. Subscribe if you'd like, I'm new to posting videos but I pull apart so many German cars I might start doing more if I think it will be helpful.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=225HgwdxvaY

[zole2112]

Yes, mine was the same thing basically. I forgot to go back to the thread and update it with my fix. It was the right axle bearing support bracket and mine was cracked allowing it to drop down far enough that the tripod bearing end would drop out.