31 31 031 Replacing front left or right spring strut shock absorber

Special tools required: 

See 31 FRONT AXLE

• 31 2 210 
• 31 3 210 
• 31 3 341 
• 31 3 382 
• 31 3 383 

1. Prior to each use, check the special tools for defects, modifications and operational reliability.
2. Damaged/modified special tools must not be used!
3. No changes or modifications may be made to the special tools!
4. These special tools are intended solely for the purpose of tightening and relieving cylindrical and tapered suspension springs.
5. Keep special tools dry, clean and free of grease.
6. Impact screwdrivers may not be used!
7. Do not compress coil spring to full extent.
8. Observe manufacturer's instructions.

Necessary preliminary tasks: 

• Remove front spring strut, see 31 31 000 Removing and installing complete left or right spring strut shock absorber .

Removing: 

Clamp special tool 31 3 341  in vice.

Fit special tools 31 3 382 and 31 3 383 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 3 382  and 31 3 383  , correct if necessary.

Fig 1: Locking Pins And Special Tool (31 3 341), (31 3 382) And (31 3 383)

Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.

Clean coil spring to remove coarse contamination and take up with special tools 31 3 382  and 31 3 383  .

Turn spring strut until special tool 31 3 382  rests in indentation (1) of spring strut.

Compress coil spring until stress on piston rod is relieved.

Fig 2: Special Tools (31 3 382) And (31 3 383)

Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.

Remove cap.

Release nut with special tool 31 3 210  , grip piston rod if necessary.

Fig 3: Special Tool (31 3 210)

Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.

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

Remove spring plate (3) with spring pad (4).

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

Fig 4: Spring Plate, Support Bearing And Dust Sleeve And Shim

Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.

Remove auxiliary damper (1), gaiter (2) and lower spring pad (3).

Assembly: 

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

Attach lower spring pad (3) to spring plate.

Attach auxiliary damper (1) and gaiter (2) to piston rod.

Fig 5: Lower Spring Pad, Auxiliary Damper And Gaiter

Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.

Insert spring strut in tensioned coil spring and align to end of coil spring using lower spring pad.

Check support bearing (1) and upper spring pad (4) for damage, replace if necessary.

Attach upper spring plate (3) with upper spring pad (4) and shim (2) to piston rod.

Attach support bearing (1) with dust sleeve to piston rod.

Fig 6: Spring Plate, Support Bearing And Dust Sleeve And Shim

Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.

Replace self-locking nut and screw on as far as possible to avoid damaging the piston rod when relieving tension on the coil spring.

Relieve tension on coil spring slightly.

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

Tightening torque: 31 31 2AZ, see 31 31 SPRING STRUTS .

Fully relieve tension on coil spring.

Fig 7: Special Tool (31 3 210)

Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.

After installation: 

• Carry out wheel alignment check, see 32 00 150 KDS CHASSIS/WHEEL ALIGNMENT CHECK WITH LOAD UP TO DESIGN POSITION if a spring strut with support bearing was or has been installed without  centering pin.