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

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.

Special tools required:

31 2 230

Necessary preliminary tasks:

Remove front brake disc. See 34 11 220 REMOVING AND INSTALLING/REPLACING BOTH FRONT BRAKE DISCS (S85) .
Remove front pulse generator from swivel bearing. See 34 52 525 REPLACING ONE FRONT PULSE GENERATOR .
Remove control arm from swivel bearing .
Remove tie rod end from swivel bearing. See 32 21 151 REPLACING LEFT OR RIGHT TIE ROD .
Remove bracket for stabilizer link from swivel bearing .
Remove tension strut from swivel bearing .

E63, E64: Spread swivel bearing with special tool 31 2 230.

Lower swivel bearing with workshop jack.

Installation:

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

Spread swivel bearing with special tool 31 2 230, align by means of gap to web on back of spring strut and raise as far as it will go.

Fig 1: Identifying Special Tool (31 2 230)

Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.

Replacement:

Modify or if necessary replace wheel bearing .

Modify brake carrier/brake guard plate. See 34 11 250 REMOVING AND INSTALLING / REPLACING A BRAKE CARRIER / BRAKE GUARD PLATE AT FRONT .

After installation:

Replacement only: Perform chassis alignment check