31 31 031 Replacing Front Left Or Right Spring Strut Shock Absorber

WARNING: This page does not describe the selected car, but rather 6 other vehicles, including the 2013 BMW 128i, 2012 BMW 128i, 2011 BMW 128i, 2010 BMW 128i, and 2009 BMW 128i. However, it is still accessible from the selected car via links, so may be relevant.

Special tools required:

For the following special tools, refer to FRONT AXLE - SPECIAL TOOLS .

31 2 210
31 2 230
31 3 340
31 3 341
31 3 354
31 3 355
31 3 358

WARNING: Prior to each use of the special tool 31 3 340 , it is essential to read the associated Owner's Handbook fully!
All the safety precautions and instructions contained in the Owner's Handbook must be strictly observed!
Failure to observe these safety precautions and instructions increases the risk of serious physical injury, damage to your health and damage to property and equipment!

IMPORTANT:

Prior to each use, check the special tools for defects, modifications and operational reliability.
Damaged/modified special tools must not be used!
No changes or modifications may be made to the special tools!
These special tools are intended solely for the purpose of tightening and relieving cylindrical and tapered suspension springs.
Keep special tools dry, clean and (down to the spindle) free from grease.
Impact screwdrivers are prohibited!
Do not compress coil spring to full extent.

Necessary preliminary tasks:

Remove front spring strut . See 31 33 100 REMOVING AND INSTALLING/REPLACING COIL SPRING FOR LEFT OR RIGHT FRONT SPRING STRUT .

Release nut (1), remove holder (2) and remove screw (3).

Expand swivel bearing with special tool 31 2 230 and detach from spring strut.

Installation:

Keep press fit of swivel bearing and spring strut in lower area clean and free from oil and grease.

Screw head must point in direction of travel.

Replace self-locking nut.

Tightening torque. Refer to 31 31 3AZ SPRING STRUTS .

Fig 1: Identifying Special Tools (31 2 230)

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Installation:

Expand swivel bearing with special tool 31 2 230 , align by way of gap to positioning pins (1) on back of spring strut and press together up to stop.

Fig 2: Identifying Special Tools (31 2 230)

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Installation:

Make sure swivel bearing contacts stop (1) correctly.

Fig 3: Identifying Bearing Contacts Stop

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Removing:

Clamp special tool 31 3 341 in vice.

Install insert 31 3 358 in special tool 31 3 354 .

Position special tools 31 3 355 and 31 3 354 with insert 31 3 358 from above on special tool 31 3 341 until locking pins (1) can be felt and heard to snap into place.

Check seating of special tools 31 3 355 and 31 3 354 with insert 31 3 358 , correct if necessary.

Fig 4: Identifying Special Tools

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Clean coil spring to remove coarse dirt and take up with special tools 31 3 355 and 31 3 354 with insert 31 3 358 .

Twist spring strut until end of coil spring (1) is flush with end of special tool 31 3 355 .

WARNING: Special tool 31 3 354 and centering ring 31 3 358 must rest correctly on upper spring plate!
Lower coil of coil spring must rest completely in recess of special tool 31 3 355 !

Compress coil spring until stress on piston rod is relieved.

Fig 5: Identifying Special Tools (31 3 355 And 31 3 354)

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Take off cap.

Release nut with special tool 31 2 210 (grip piston rod in the process).

Fig 6: Identifying Special Tools (31 2 210)

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Remove support bearing (1), dust sleeve and supporting ring (2).

Remove shock absorber with auxiliary damper, gaiter and lower spring pad sideways from tensioned coil spring.

Fig 7: Identifying Support Bearing, Dust Sleeve And Supporting Ring

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If necessary, remove auxiliary damper (1), gaiter (2) and spring pad (3) from shock absorber.

Fig 8: Identifying Auxiliary Damper, Gaiter And Spring Pad

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Relieve tension on coil spring.

Remove coil spring with spring plate from special tools 31 3 355 , 31 3 358 and 31 3 354 .

Fig 9: Removing Coil Spring With Spring Plate Using Special Tool

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Assembly:

Check spring pad (1) for damage, replace if necessary.

Attach spring plate (2) with spring pad (1) to coil spring.

NOTE: End of coil spring must be positively aligned to spring pad (1).

Fig 10: Attaching Spring Plate With Spring Pad To Coil Spring

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Accommodate coil spring with spring plate with special tools 31 3 355 , 31 3 358 and 31 3 354 .

Twist coil spring until lower end of coil spring (1) is flush with end (2) of special tool 31 3 355 .

Fig 11: Installing Coil Spring With Spring Plate Using Special Tools

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WARNING: Do not compress coil spring to full extent.
Special tool 31 3 354 and centering ring 31 3 358 must rest correctly on upper spring plate!
Lower coil of coil spring must rest completely in recess of special tool 31 3 355 !

Tension coil spring.

Fig 12: Removing Coil Spring With Spring Plate Using Special Tool

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Check auxiliary damper (1), gaiter (2) and spring pad (3) for damage, replace if necessary.

NOTE: Make sure spring pad (3) is correctly seated on shock absorber.

Fig 13: Identifying Auxiliary Damper, Gaiter And Spring Pad

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Insert shock absorber in tensioned coil spring.

Attach thrust washer (2) to piston rod.

Check support bearing (1) for damage, replace if necessary.

Attach dust sleeve and support bearing to piston rod.

Fig 14: Identifying Support Bearing, Dust Sleeve And Supporting Ring

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Replace nut and tighten down with special tool 31 2 210 (grip piston rod in the process).

Tightening torque. See 31 31 2AZ SPRING STRUTS .

Fit cover cap.

Fig 15: Identifying Special Tools (31 2 210)

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IMPORTANT: Spring pad (1) must rest positively on spring plate (2)!
Upper end of coil spring must rest on stop of spring pad (1)!

Fig 16: Attaching Spring Plate With Spring Pad To Coil Spring

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IMPORTANT: Lower end of coil spring (2) must rest on stop of spring pad (1)!

Relieve tension on coil spring.

Check installation position of gaiter, correct fold if necessary.

Fig 17: Identifying Lower End Of Coil Spring And Spring Pad

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After installation:

Perform CHASSIS ALIGNMENT CHECK
Carry out steering angle sensor adjustment/adjustment for active steering