Tail shaft

The main issue with BMW tail shafts are the centre bearings/mounting bushes—which connect the two sections of the tail shaft and mount the assembly to the undercarriage. These can be purchased separately new, but sometimes other factors make it more economical/prudent to replace the entire shaft.

The uni-joints in tail shafts can also wear out—though it is less common. When this occurs you need to replace the entire assembly.

Tail shafts are used in rear-wheel drive (RWD) and all-wheel drive (AWD) drivetrains. They connect the transmission (or transfer case in AWDs) to the rear axle differential—distributing the engine’s power to the rear wheels.

There are usually multiple, non-exchangeable types of tail shaft within any given model generation—which is usually to account for different engine types.

The best way to determine fitment compatibility of a tail shaft is to match the BMW part numbers from the catalogue. This can be done by decoding your vehicle’s VIN in a BMW EPC (electronic part catalogue.)

If you don’t have access to an EPC, provide our team with your vehicle’s 17-digit VIN—and we’ll check our stock for a compatible match.

Tail shafts will often interchangeable between similar models with similar/alike engines.