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

WARNING: This page is about a different car, the 2010 BMW 135i, 2009 BMW 135i, and 2008 BMW 135i. 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 -- 135I

31 3 341. See 31 3 340 SPRING TENSIONER .
31 3 354. See 31 3 350 SPRING HOLDER .
31 3 355. See 31 3 350 SPRING HOLDER .
31 3 358. See 31 3 350 SPRING HOLDER .

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 31 000 REMOVING AND INSTALLING COMPLETE LEFT OR RIGHT SPRING STRUT SHOCK ABSORBER .

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 in 31 31 SPRING STRUTS .

Fig 1: Expanding Swivel Bearing With Special Tool (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: Expanding Swivel Bearing With Special Tool (31 2 230)

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Installation:

Make sure swivel bearing contacts stop (1) correctly.

Fig 3: Identifying Swivel Bearing Contacts Area

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Removing:

Clamp special tool 31 3 341 in vice.

Install insert 31 3 358 in special tool 31 3 354. See Fig 4.

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. See Fig 4.

Check seating of special tools 31 3 355 and 31 3 354 with insert 31 3 358, correct if necessary. See Fig 4.

Fig 4: Identifying Special Tools (31 3 355), (31 3 358), (31 3 341), (31 3 354) And Locking Pins

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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. See Fig 4.

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! See Fig 5.

Compress coil spring until stress on piston rod is relieved.

Fig 5: Twisting Spring Strut Until End Of Coil Spring With End Of Special Tool (31 3 355)

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Take off cap.

Release nut with special tool 31 2 210 (grip piston rod in the process). See Fig 6.

Fig 6: Releasing Nut With Special Tool (31 2 210)

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NOTE: Picture shows F20.

Release nut with special tool 33 0 040 (grip piston rod in the process).

CAUTION: Impact screwdrivers are prohibited! Risk of damage inside the shock absorber!

Fig 7: Releasing Nut Using Special Tool (33 0 040)

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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 8: Identifying Support Bearing And Supporting Ring

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

Fig 9: 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. See Fig 10.

Fig 10: Identifying Special Tools (31 3 355), (31 3 358) And (31 3 354)

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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 11: Identifying Spring Pad And Spring Plate

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Accommodate coil spring with spring plate with special tools 31 3 355, 31 3 358 and 31 3 354. See Fig 12

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

Fig 12: Identifying Coil Spring And Special Tools (31 3 355), (31 3 354) And (31 3 358)

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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! See Fig 13.

Tension coil spring.

Fig 13: Identifying Special Tools (31 3 355), (31 3 354) And (31 3 358)

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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 14: 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 15: Identifying Support Bearing And Thrust Washer

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

Tightening torque. Refer to 31 31 2AZ in 31 31 SPRING STRUTS .

Fit cover cap.

Fig 16: Releasing Nut With Special Tool (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 17: Identifying Spring Pad And Spring Plate

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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 18: Identifying Spring Pad And Coil Spring

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After installation:

Perform chassis alignment check . See 32 00 150 KDS CHASSIS/WHEEL ALIGNMENT CHECK WITH LOAD UP TO DESIGN POSITION or 32 00 155 KDS CHASSIS/WHEEL ALIGNMENT CHECK WITH RIDE-HEIGHT MEASUREMENT WITHOUT LOAD .
Carry out steering angle sensor adjustment/adjustment for active steering . See 32 10 005 ADJUSTMENT FOR ACTIVE FRONT STEERING or 61 31 996 CARRYING OUT STEERING ANGLE SENSOR ADJUSTMENT .