DIY: E36 Flex Disc Replacement

Replacing the flex disc on the BMW E36 is necessary when the disc wears out in order to keep the driveshaft operating properly. The flex disc of the E36 works as a gasket, allowing the transmission to turn the driveshaft without damaging the parts. The constant movement can cause the flex disc to eventually deteriorate, requiring that it be replaced. You can change the flex disc yourself in three or four hours with some basic shop tools.

Instructions

1

Drive the vehicle onto a flat, level surface and put the transmission in park. Set the parking brake and lift the vehicle up in the front with a floor jack. Raise the jack stands up high enough so you can work comfortably underneath the vehicle and slide a jack stand under the front axle next to both front wheels.

2

Lower the vehicle down onto the jack stands and raise the vehicle up in the back with the floor jack and slide a jack stand under the rear axle next to both rear wheels. Set the vehicle down on the rear jack stands and move the floor jack out of the way.

3

Disconnect the exhaust pipe from the engine exhaust under the motor by unfastening the bolts with a socket wrench and unfasten the nuts on the muffler hangers with the socket wrench. Carefully lower the muffler down from the hangers and unfasten the catalytic converter from the mounting brackets.

4

Detach the exhaust retainer bracket from the transmission by disconnecting the bolts with the socket wrench and remove the muffler and catalytic converter system from the vehicle. Unfasten the bolts that secure the exhaust flange to the transmission with the socket wrench and detach the oxygen sensor wires from the exhaust.

5

Unfasten the heat shield from under the vehicle with the socket wrench and disconnect the lower transmission support bar with the socket wrench. Place a mark on the driveshaft and transmission output flange with white chalk so you can line up the parts correctly when it is time to reassemble them.

6

Loosen the bolts on the flex disc with the socket wrench and remove the disc from the driveshaft. Attach the new flex disc to the driveshaft with the bolts and fasten the driveshaft to the transmission output flange.

7

Reattach the lower transmission support bar and secure the heat shield underneath the vehicle. Attach the oxygen sensor wires to the exhaust and fasten the exhaust flange to the transmission.

8

Slide the muffler and catalytic converter system into position and fasten the system to the vehicle with the bolts. Fasten the retainer brackets to the muffler and exhaust pipes and secure the exhaust pipe to the exhaust manifold under the engine.

9

Raise the vehicle up in the front with the floor jack and remove the jack stands from under the front axle. Lower the vehicle onto the ground and lift the back end with the floor jack, removing the jack stands from under the rear axle and lowering the vehicle back down.