31 12 000 Removing And Installing/Replacing Left Or Right Control Arm

Necessary preliminary tasks: 

Except M3: 

• Remove front wheel  . See 36 10 300 REMOVING OR INSTALLING FRONT OR REAR WHEEL .
• Remove front underbody protection  . See 51 47 490 REMOVING AND INSTALLING/REPLACING FRONT UNDERBODY PROTECTION .

Except M3: 

If necessary, remove jointed rod of ride-height sensor from control arm.

Fig 1: Locating Ride-Height Sensor Jointed Rod

Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.

M3 only: 

Slacken nut (1).

Remove jointed rod (2) from control arm.

Installation: 

Sensor lever (3) must point from ride-height sensor to left front wheel.

Tightening torque. Refer to 37 14 3AZ in 37 14 3AZ INTEGRATED SUSPENSION .

Fig 2: Identifying Jointed Rod, Nut And Lever

Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.

Release nut (1); if necessary, grip at Torx socket (T40).

Installation: 

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

Replace self-locking nut.

Tightening torque. Refer to 31 12 4AZ in 31 12 4AZ CONTROL ARMS AND STRUTS .

Fig 3: Identifying Self-Locking Nut

Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.

Slacken nut (1).

Remove screw towards front; if necessary remove bracket (2) with ride-height sensor.

Take off control arm.

Installation: 

Screw head must point in direction of travel.

Replace self-locking nut.

Tighten down bolt connection in normal position  .

Tightening torque. Refer to 31 12 3AZ in 31 12 3AZ CONTROL ARMS AND STRUTS .

Fig 4: Identifying Bracket And Self-Locking Nut

Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.

After installation: 

• Perform CHASSIS ALIGNMENT CHECK .
• Carry out steering angle sensor adjustment/adjustment for active front steering  . See 32 10 005 ADJUSTMENT FOR ACTIVE FRONT STEERING or 61 31 996 CARRYING OUT STEERING ANGLE SENSOR ADJUSTMENT .