37 11 001 Replacing Front Left Or Right Air Spring Strut

WARNING: This page is about a different car, the 2006 BMW X5, 2005 BMW X5, and 2004 BMW X5. However, it is still accessible from the selected car via links, so may be relevant.

WARNING: Danger of injury! Drain the air spring system before carrying out any work on the air supply unit, air pipes and air springs! Danger of injury if this instruction is not complied with!
Risk of damage! The vehicle must not stand on its wheels when the air spring struts and air springs are depressurized! Otherwise the air spring struts and air springs will be damaged and later destroyed during driving!
Extreme cleanliness must be ensured in the connection area of the pipes during removal and installation. Even the smallest of dirt particles can cause leakage in the air spring system.

IMPORTANT: If the centering pin is missing from the support bearing, the position of the studs to the wheel arch must be marked so that the original camber is approximately maintained.
Only one nut may ever be released for marking.

NOTE: Read and comply with notes on air spring system. Refer to 37 00 ... NOTES ON AIR SPRING SYSTEM .

Necessary preliminary tasks:

Deactivate and empty air spring system, refer to 37 00 100 Draining/filling air spring system (twin-axle ride-height control)
Remove front wheel, refer to 36 10 300 REMOVING OR INSTALLING FRONT OR REAR WHEEL
Remove front wheel arch trim
Remove stabilizer link from air spring strut, refer to STABILIZER
Remove swivel bearing from air spring strut and tie up, refer to SWIVEL BEARING

Right air spring strut

Remove windscreen washer fluid reservoir from spring strut dome and lay to one side, refer to 61 71 061 REPLACING FLUID TANK FOR WINDSHIELD WASHER SYSTEM

If necessary, remove cover cap.

Fig 1: Removing Cover

Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.

Centering pin (1) missing: Make position of studs in relation to wheel arch. Secure air spring strut against falling out.

Release two nuts.

Installation:

Replace self-locking nuts.

Tightening torque 31 31 1AZ. Refer to FRONT AXLE - TIGHTENING TORQUES - X5 (4.4I) N62 .

IMPORTANT: Do not kink, twist or crush lines.

Unclip pipe (1).

Fig 2: Locating Pipe

Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.

Grip air spring strut and release the nut which has not yet been released (connecting spring strut support bearing to wheel arch).

Lower air spring strut (2), release banjo bolt and remove pipe (1).

Tightening torque, 37 12 3AZ. Refer to INTEGRATED SUSPENSION SYSTEMS - TIGHTENING TORQUES - X5 (4.4I) N62 .

Remove air spring strut (2) downwards.

Installation:

Do not damage plastic centering pin of support bearing.

Align air spring strut using centering pin (1) to bore in wheel arch or studs to markings on wheel arch and push upwards.

Replace self-locking nuts. Tightening torque, 31 31 1AZ. Refer to FRONT AXLE - TIGHTENING TORQUES - X5 (4.4I) N62 .

After installation:

Activate and fill air suspension system, refer to 37 00 100 DRAINING/FILLING AIR SPRING SYSTEM (RIDE-HEIGHT CONTROL)
Carry out wheel alignment check only if an air spring strut with support bearing was or has been installed without centering pin, refer to 32 00 150 STANDARD CHASSIS / WHEEL ALIGNMENT WITH DIN LOAD or 32 00 155 CHASSIS/WHEEL ALIGNMENT WITHOUT LOAD
Initialize Run Flat Indicator (RPA), refer to 36 11 000 INITIALIZING TIRE DEFECT INDICATOR (RPA)