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Parts
- Anti Roll Bar (1) Apply Anti Roll Bar filter
- Axle (24) Apply Axle filter
- Axle Assembly (4) Apply Axle Assembly filter
- Differential (2) Apply Differential filter
- Hub with ABS (1) Apply Hub with ABS filter
- Stub Axle (16) Apply Stub Axle filter
- Subframe (4) Apply Subframe filter
- Wheel Bearing (1) Apply Wheel Bearing filter
Used BMW 3 Series Axle
All used BMW 3 Series Axle listed on Breakeryard.com are tested, original (OEM) manufacturer parts and come with a 14 day money back guarantee. Breakeryard.com list cheap new OES or aftermarket car parts at discounted prices or used OEM car parts up to 80% cheaper than main dealer prices for BMW 3 Series from premium breaker yards from across the UK.
About Axle
What is the axle/what does it do?
The term axle is loosely used to describe the shaft or two half shaft connected to transverse wheels. It can be a load bearing shaft or a shaft that drives the wheels.
Getting into the details of the axle
On a rear wheel drive vehicles the drive to the wheels comes from the propeller shaft which runs under the center of the vehicle, front to back, from the gearbox to the differential drive which is located centrally between the two rear wheels.The differential is a set of cogs which turns the drive rotation ninety degrees to each back wheel.The Differential, through the clever design and setup of the cogs, also allows the rear wheels to turn at different speeds necessary when the vehicle is turning. The term rear axle can refer to the complete set of two half shafts or half axles and the differential.
On front wheel drive vehicles there are two half shaft/axles connected from a differential that is usually combined in the gearbox via constant velocity joints which allows the front wheels to turn for steering the vehicle while under torque from the rotating shaft/axle. These CV joints are usually encased in a rubber sleeve containing lubricant grease. The rear wheels of the front wheel drive vehicle have stub axles which are usually short and part of an independent suspension system on each rear wheel.
What if something goes wrong with the axle?
Although usually very resilient, problems can occur in rear wheel drive vehicles in the differential with the wear of cogs, which maybe caused by lack of lubrication due to leaks. In front wheel drive vehicles the most common problem is the breakdown of the rubber sleeve on the CV joints connecting the drive shaft from the gearbox to the half shaft axle and to the driving wheels. The CV joints can suffer damage if the damaged rubber sleeves are not replaced, this is caused by wear with the ingression of dust and grit and loss of lubricant. Another cause of damage can be the collision with obstructions in the road or running up high kerbs etc.
BMW 3 Series trivia
- The E21 Baur convertible was the first left-hand-drive 3 Series and was launched in 1977.
- The combined sales of every 3 Series model adds up to around 14 million units, which puts it in the ranks of the best selling cars of all time.
- The G20 BMW 3 Series is the first of the line to come with its own personal assistant., By saying, “Hey, BMW,” you can control your G20 using voice commands only! It’s also the first BMW 3 Series to not have a handbrake.
- The 3 Series Touring wasn’t a planned production model. It was actually designed by a BMW engineer called Max Reisbock, who used his spare time to convert a damaged 323i so that it was more suitable for his family. When his bosses saw the result, they made a few tweaks and then built a factory version.
- Sales figures for the 3 Series went through the roof in the 1980s, thanks to the rise of Yuppies. Although BMW made a lot of sales, ultimately, the association harmed the BMW brand for a few years until the association with Yuppies started to fade