E61 (2006 BMW 530xi) Front Differential Removal

This video will show you the basic info on getting your front differential out. There's no captured video of the re-installation due to the number of hands required (about two more than I had!). Also included is a method for "pulling" the CV axles out of the differential far enough to remove it, without unbolting the axle nuts or having to do a lot of disassembly. You WILL have to raise the engine while dropping the subframe. I did that without removing the steering shaft or the transmission cooler lines, though I can't say it was easier that way. Having two people may have made it considerably easier - I believe (but don't know for sure) that a second pair of hands cranking on a large prybar to move the engine to the right while forcing the subframe to the left may have given me that magic 1/2" of clearance that would have made this job a LOT easier. Look closely and you'll see a 2" chunk out of the left side of the old differential - I'm still not quite sure what happened, but it came apart internally in a BIG way, even though it was full of almost brand new fluid (the right fluid, BTW). As I mentioned in the video, I actually cut a pretty good size chunk out of the "cup" that the left motor mount sits in - with a normally aspirated 3 liter motor, that's not going to be an issue (I wouldn't have done that if it was an M5). ;-) That gave me a little more room to swing the diff around to get the new one in. There may be an easier way to do this job, but I couldn't find any videos or online info that helped much, so created this one. I almost didn't post it because it doesn't show any of the installation, but between the (high!) temperature, the fact I was under the weather, and the lack of extra hands, there was just no way to do it better... hopefully what's here will help someone out there anyway. Please subscribe to my channel if these videos are helping you keep your car running... thanks!