175,000-Mile Maintenance Items/Tasks

[tlow98]

Wouldn’t pulling the diff be the ‘easiest’ way to repack all three? (1 DS + 2 axles).

That is assuming you like lying on the ground or working above your head :-)

[Cubieman]

I plan on replacing the inner axle CV's soon as well as the D.S. cv, unfortunately I can't find anyone that sells outer CV's, at 72k miles I'm hoping just a re-pack will suffice.

[Tbonem3]

Unless the boots are torn, there is very little chance your CV ball bearings and cage have any scoring. Sealed ball bearings/joints can go for hundreds of thousands of miles.

[bigjae46]

Wouldn’t pulling the diff be the ‘easiest’ way to repack all three? (1 DS + 2 axles).

That is assuming you like lying on the ground or working above your head :-)

As mentioned earlier…I’m sure you can clean, inspect and repack the outer CV’s with the axle but you’re gonna spend a lot more time than just pulling the axle nut off and pressing the axle out.

The driveshaft can stay in the car. There is a snap ring on the driveshaft CV, remove the boot clamp and it comes off. You kinda have to remove the CV to pack both sides of the joint.

IMO, I’d just be thorough with this. The point is long-term reliability. And if you do see something…replace it now so you’re good for another 20 years. Otherwise just keep driving it.

[heinzboehmer]

It's a job I personally like doing less than bleeding a master cylinder and ABS.

You're not making this job sound fun at all

Hahaha...LMAO! I try not to tell anyone they CAN'T do something and be positive. But yeah...there is a 99.99999% chance that you'll regret not remove the axle.

One thing to keep in mind is that I could not get the clamps that come with the boot kit from FCP Euro to fit. I actually had the correct plier. I ended up buying some oetiker clamps from McMaster-Carr.

That's good to know. I'll keep that in mind

[Casa de Mesa]

Unless the boots are torn, there is very little chance your CV ball bearings and cage have any scoring. Sealed ball bearings/joints can go for hundreds of thousands of miles.

That's what I thought too, but had an axle that was pitted at 74k miles.

[Tbonem3]

Because of contamination

[Casa de Mesa]

Because of contamination

...but it wasn't contaminated. No rips or even pinholes in the CV boot. The grease was still really good. In fact, I wasn't even planning on changing out the boots and repacking them - I was on the fence because I was in there doing everything else in the rearend. But when I turned the CV by hand, I could tell it was no bueno.

YMMV.

[Tbonem3]

There had to be. Moisture at the very least. Doesn't matter though, you caught it.

I just try to bring a balanced view. As someone who has over-spent on replacing just about everything.

[Casa de Mesa]

Fair enough. Or a manufacturing defect. Or something was in there from the factory that was pulverized over time.

I have definitely overspent on maintenance too, but it's also a hobby for me so I don't mind. I wasn't advocating for doing the axles BTW, I can see how it could be perceived that way tho. I was originally commenting on the fact that axles are a bitch of a job when unbolted from the car and on a bench, let alone trying to do it while still attached on the other end. In fact, I don't really see any other way of doing the job then just removing the damn things, lol

[bigjae46]

There had to be. Moisture at the very least. Doesn't matter though, you caught it.

I just try to bring a balanced view. As someone who has over-spent on replacing just about everything.

The original question was what maintenance is recommended at 175k miles. It is something to look at. Given the age of E46s, I would probably repack the axle CVs as a matter of PM if I had to do the rear wheel bearings. This is something I've never seen recommended before. To me it didn't make sense to do this 5-10 years ago. Now, these cars are over 15 years old.

I haven't checked lately but a decent used axle was at least $200/side, a new axle is over $1000. Aftermarket axles for this car are crap. I think it is worth it to do some PM on the axles.

[Tbonem3]

Ya I hear you. Good advice for us entusiasts, esp those of us who are up to date on maintenance, but I bet most owners have a million things to do before repacking CV joints. It wouldn't be high on my list if I was a normal person like I presume OP to be.

[bigjae46]

Ya I hear you. Good advice for us entusiasts, esp those of us who are up to date on maintenance, but I bet most owners have a million things to do before repacking CV joints. It wouldn't be high on my list if I was a normal person like I presume OP to be.

Lol. I've looked at some local E46 M3s...totally agree!

[EthanolTurbo]

The original question was what maintenance is recommended at 175k miles. It is something to look at. Given the age of E46s, I would probably repack the axle CVs as a matter of PM if I had to do the rear wheel bearings. This is something I've never seen recommended before. To me it didn't make sense to do this 5-10 years ago. Now, these cars are over 15 years old.

I haven't checked lately but a decent used axle was at least $200/side, a new axle is over $1000. Aftermarket axles for this car are crap. I think it is worth it to do some PM on the axles.

I found a good spot in Orange County that rebuilds the OEM axles same day for $280. Next week when I do my big install, I'll be swapping my new diff in and taking out the old axles for a rebuild and install new rear wheel bearings.

[Will]

I found a good spot in Orange County that rebuilds the OEM axles same day for $280. Next week when I do my big install, I'll be swapping my new diff in and taking out the old axles for a rebuild and install new rear wheel bearings.

Interested in hearing your experience with them! Which shop is this?