31 12 043 Removing And Installing/Replacing Complete Front Left Or Right Spring Strut Holder

WARNING: This page is about a different car, the 2010 BMW X5, 2009 BMW X5, 2008 BMW X5, and 2007 BMW X5. However, it is still accessible from the selected car via links, so may be relevant.

Special tools required:

31 2 230
31 5 220

WARNING: Danger to life!
Mount securing fixture for vehicle on lifting platform to prevent the vehicle from slipping off or tilting down. See 51 71 505 MOUNT SECURING FIXTURE FOR VEHICLE ON LIFTING PLATFORM .

Necessary preliminary tasks:

Mount securing fixture for vehicle on lifting platform . See 51 71 505 MOUNT SECURING FIXTURE FOR VEHICLE ON LIFTING PLATFORM .
Remove front wheel.
Remove stabilizer link from swivel bearing . See 31 35 005 REMOVING AND INSTALLING/REPLACING PUSH ROD (STABILIZER LINK) FOR LEFT/RIGHT STABILIZER .

Secure special tool 31 5 220 to drive flange with wheel studs. Support swivel bearing with special tool 31 5 220 and workshop jack.

Fig 1: Identifying Special Tool (31 5 220)

Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.

Unfasten nut (1) and remove screw (2).

Installation:

Keep control arm to swivel bearing connection clean and free from oil and grease.

Note insertion direction of screw.

Screw must rest correctly in groove of ball stud.

Replace self-locking nut.

Tightening torque. See FRONT AXLE - TIGHTENING TORQUES .

Fig 2: Identifying Screw And Nut

Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.

IMPORTANT: To be able to lower the swivel bearing far enough, it is necessary to align the output shaft so that one of the marked surfaces (1) points upwards.

Fig 3: Identifying Output Shaft Marked Surfaces

Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.

Release bolt (2) and remove with holder (1).

Expand spring strut holder (3) with special tool 31 2 230 .

Release nut (5) and remove screw (4).

Lower swivel bearing until spring strut holder (3) is below spring strut.

Remove spring strut holder (3), taking care not to damage the output shaft.

Installation:

Keep spring strut holder to spring strut connection clean and free from oil and grease.

Version with Vertical Dynamics Management: Align spring strut holder by way of gap to positioning pin on back of spring strut.

Release bolt (4) and nut (5).

Note insertion direction of bolt (4).

Tighten down first bolt (4) and then bolt (2) in normal position.

Tighten spring strut to lower control arm.

Tightening torque. See FRONT AXLE - TIGHTENING TORQUES .

Fig 4: Identifying Holder, Nut, Bolt And Special Tool (31 2 230)

Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.