Removing Rear Drive Shaft

[z122643]

So I have to replace my fuel tank in my 325iX. There are no instructions that I can find on removing the rear drive shaft on a iX and I'm stuck. This is as for as I got; I've removed all for nuts on the back of the drive shaft (diff side) and I have removed all 6 bolts from the flex-drive in the front (x case side) I don't know what to do next.

[JTapper]

There is a splined connection in the middle of the driveshaft. Loosen the collar nut on the driveshaft, I used a pipe wrench, and the driveshaft will compress some so you can remove it.

[z122643]

Which end has the collar nut? please tell me not the rear!

[JTapper]

On a 325/318 it's in the rear, I'd assume an ix is in the same place.

Why is that a problem?

Did you remove the heat shield? You also need to unbolt the center support bearing from the body at the center of the driveshaft.

[z122643]

Yeah on the iX there is not support bearing. the drive shaft just goes from the diff directly to the x-case. My problem is extreme rust near the rear.

[JTapper]

There is still a collar nut on the driveshaft. Loosen it and the driveshaft will collapse together a little and allow you to get it out.

If you can't loosen the collar nut, you'll probably have to drop the rear diff.

[b*saint]

I wailed on the flange until it seperated. Its just rusted together.

**EDIT WAIT WAIT**

This is to remove the diff not the driveshaft. My bad.

[z122643]

Mine was rusted too badly. I ended up dropping the rear diff.