31 10 000 Removing And Installing Complete Front Axle (With Spring Strut Shock Absorber)

WARNING: This page is about a different car, the 2010 BMW M5, 2009 BMW M5, 2008 BMW M5, 2007 BMW M5, and 2006 BMW M5. However, it is still accessible from the selected car via links, so may be relevant.

WARNING: Danger to life!
Secure engine in installation position to prevent it from falling down. See 11 00 670 SECURING ENGINE IN INSTALLATION POSITION (S85) .

IMPORTANT: Adhere to the utmost cleanliness. Do not allow any dirt to enter the hydraulic system.
Seal off hydraulic lines with plugs.

Necessary preliminary tasks:

Disconnect battery negative lead. See 61 20 900 DISCONNECTING AND CONNECTING BATTERY NEGATIVE LEAD .
Draw off and dispose off hydraulic fluid from fluid reservoir
Secure engine in installation position. See 11 00 670 SECURING ENGINE IN INSTALLATION POSITION (S85) .
Remove front wheels
Disconnect plug connection of both PULSE GENERATORS
Remove and tie back brake caliper on both sides. See 34 11 519 REMOVING AND INSTALLING/REPLACING LEFT OR RIGHT FRONT BRAKE CALIPER .
Remove reinforcement plate
If necessary, remove steering gear cover on both sides
Remove wheel suspension cover on both sides
Remove lower steering spindle from power steering gear. See 32 31 070 REMOVING AND INSTALLING / REPLACING LOWER SECTION OF STEERING SPINDLE .
If necessary, disconnect plug connection on EH converter and expose line up to engine carrier.
If necessary, disconnect plug connection on ride-height sensor and expose line up to engine carrier.
If necessary, expose and disconnect vacuum line for engine mount up to point of separation on engine support arm.
Except M5, M6: Remove pressure line and if necessary Dynamic Drive pressure line from vane pump.
M5, M6: Disconnect pressure line from power steering gear. See 32 13 060 REMOVING AND INSTALLING/REPLACING POWER STEERING GEAR .
Disconnect return line from power steering cooler. See 32 41... NOTES ON HYDRAULIC LINE WITH QUICK-CONNECT COUPLING
Remove stabilizer link on both sides from bracket/spring strut. See 31 35 005 REMOVING AND INSTALLING/REPLACING PUSH ROD (STABILIZER LINK) FOR LEFT/RIGHT STABILIZER .

Version with Dynamic Drive:

Remove bottom right wheel arch trim. See 51 71... REMOVING AND INSTALLING/REPLACING FRONT (BOTTOM) RIGHT WHEEL ARCH TRIM .

Release nuts (1, 2).

Tighten to specified torque. See FRONT AXLE - TORQUE SPECIFICATIONS .

Fig 1: Identifying Right Wheel Arch Trim Nuts

Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.

Version with active steering:

Disconnect plug connections (1, 2).

Expose wiring harness (3) up to front axle carrier.

Fig 2: Identifying Plug Connections And Wiring Harness

Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.

IMPORTANT: Guide spring struts with your hand when lowering and raising in order to avoid damaging the wheel arches.
After lowering, the spring struts must be aligned to the front axle carrier and secured in such a way that the ball joints of the control arms, tension struts and tie rod ends are not damaged.

Remove spring strut from spring strut dome.

Support front axle carrier, release from engine carrier and carefully lower with spring struts.

Fig 3: Identifying Support Front Axle Carrier

Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.

After installation:

Fill and bleed hydraulic system. See 32 13 006 BLEEDING POWER STEERING UNIT .
Check pipe connections for leaks.
Carry out wheel alignment check if a spring strut with support bearing was or has been installed without centering pin. See 32 00 150 KDS CHASSIS/WHEEL ALIGNMENT CHECK WITH LOAD UP TO DESIGN POSITION .
Carry out steering angle sensor adjustment/adjustment for active front steering. Connect vehicle to BMW diagnosis system or Software Service Station.
If necessary, carry out initial Dynamic Drive operation.