31 11 001 Replacing Front Axle Carrier (M5, M6)

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.

Necessary preliminary tasks:

Disconnect battery negative lead. See 61 20 900 DISCONNECTING AND CONNECTING BATTERY NEGATIVE LEAD .
Secure engine in installation position. See 11 00 670 SECURING ENGINE IN INSTALLATION POSITION (S85) . Remove front wheels.
Remove stabilizer .
Remove reinforcement plate .
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 .
Disconnect plug connection on EH converter and expose line up to engine carrier.
Disconnect plug connection on ride-height sensor and expose line up to engine carrier.
Remove tension strut on both sides from front axle carrier .
Remove jointed rod of ride-height sensor from control arm
Remove control arm on both sides from front axle carrier .
Remove left tie rod from power steering gear. See 32 21 151 REPLACING LEFT OR RIGHT TIE ROD .
Remove right tie rod end from swivel bearing. See 32 21 151 REPLACING LEFT OR RIGHT TIE ROD .
Detach heat shield for power steering gear from front axle carrier
Remove power steering gear from front axle carrier and tie up. See 32 13 060 REMOVING AND INSTALLING/REPLACING POWER STEERING GEAR .

Lower front axle carrier , move sideways and remove.

Modify heat shield(s).

Modify both engine mounts. See ENGINE SUSPENSION .

Modify jacking point.

Installation:

Use previous front axle subframe as a template for modifying or replacing small parts.

Fig 1: Identifying Front Axle Subframe

Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.

After installation:

Perform chassis alignment check. See 32 00 150 KDS CHASSIS/WHEEL ALIGNMENT CHECK WITH LOAD UP TO DESIGN POSITION .
Carry out steering angle sensor adjustment.