31 21 090 Removing And Installing/Replacing Left Or Right Swivel Bearing

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 2 230

Necessary preliminary tasks:

Remove front brake disk . See 34 11 000 REMOVING AND INSTALLING OR REPLACING BRAKE PADS ON BOTH FRONT DISC BRAKES (TEVES FLOATING CALIPER) or 34 11 000 REMOVING AND INSTALLING/REPLACING BRAKE PADS ON BOTH FRONT DISC BRAKES (BREMBO) .
Remove front pulse generator from swivel bearing . See 34 52 525 REPLACING ONE FRONT PULSE GENERATOR .

IMPORTANT: Check sensor head and line from pulse generator prior to installation for external damage, replacing if necessary.

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.

Slacken control arm bolt connection on front axle carrier in order to prevent control arm rubber mount from being over elongated. See 31 12 000 REMOVING AND INSTALLING/REPLACING LEFT OR RIGHT CONTROL ARM .

Remove control arm from swivel bearing . See 31 12 000 REMOVING AND INSTALLING/REPLACING LEFT OR RIGHT CONTROL ARM .

Remove tie rod end from swivel bearing . See 32 21 151 REPLACING LEFT OR RIGHT TIE ROD .

WARNING: Risk of injury!
Tension strut is under tension.

Remove tension strut from swivel bearing . See 31 12 080 REMOVING AND INSTALLING/REPLACING BOTH TENSION STRUTS .

Support swivel bearing with workshop jack and a suitable mounting.

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

Installation:

Screw head must point in direction of travel.

Replace self-locking nut.

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

Fig 2: Identifying Holder And Nut

Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.

Spread swivel bearing with special tool 31 2 230 .

Lower workshop jack and remove swivel bearing.

Installation:

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

Fig 3: Identifying Special Tools (31 2 230)

Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.

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 raise up to stop.

Fig 4: Identifying Special Tools (31 2 230)

Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.

Installation:

Make sure swivel bearing contacts stop (1) correctly.

Fig 5: Identifying Bearing Contacts Stop

Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.

Replacement:

Modify wheel bearing or replace if necessary. See 31 21 180 REMOVING AND INSTALLING/REPLACING BEARING FOR FRONT WHEEL .
Modify brake carrier/brake guard plate . See 34 11 250 REMOVING AND INSTALLING / REPLACING A BRAKE CARRIER / BRAKE GUARD PLATE AT FRONT .

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 .