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

WARNING: This page is about a different car, the 2007 BMW 550i and 2006 BMW 550i. 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.

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
Draw off and dispose off hydraulic fluid from fluid reservoir
SECURE ENGINE IN INSTALLATION POSITION
Remove front wheels
Disconnect PLUG CONNECTION OF BOTH PULSE GENERATORS
Remove and tie back BRAKE CALIPER ON BOTH SIDES
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
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
Disconnect RETURN LINE FROM POWER STEERING COOLER
Remove STABILIZER LINK ON BOTH SIDES FROM BRACKET/SPRING STRUT

Version with Dynamic Drive:

Remove BOTTOM RIGHT WHEEL ARCH TRIM.

Release nuts (1, 2).

Tightening torque (1): 32 41 3AZ. . See PUMP AND OIL SUPPLY .

Tightening torque (2): 37 14 13AZ. . See ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS .

Fig 1: Identifying 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 Front Axle Carrier

Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.

After installation:

Fill and bleed HYDRAULIC SYSTEM
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.
Carry out STEERING ANGLE SENSOR ADJUSTMENT /ADJUSTMENT FOR ACTIVE FRONT STEERING
If necessary, carry out INITIAL DYNAMIC DRIVE OPERATION