33 52 131 Replacing Rear Left Or Right 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.

Special tools required:

WARNING:

Observe the following instructions to avoid any risk of injury by the coil springs.

Prior to each use, check the special tools for defects, modifications and operational reliability.
Damaged/modified special tools must not be used!
No changes or modifications may be made to the special tools!
These special tools are intended solely for the purpose of tightening and relieving cylindrical and tapered suspension springs.
Keep special tools dry, clean and free of grease.
Impact screwdrivers may not be used!
Do not compress coil spring to full extent.
Observe manufacturer's instructions.

NOTE:

Read and comply with Information on replacing shock absorbers.

Version with EDC:

In a warranty case you must always provide a fault memory printout, even where there is no fault memory entry, with the defective part.

Necessary preliminary tasks:

Remove REAR SPRING STRUT SHOCK ABSORBER .

Removing:

Clamp special tool 31 3 341 in vice.

Fit special tools 31 3 357 from above on special tool 31 3 341 until locking pins (1) can be felt and heard to snap into place.

Check seating of special tools 31 3 357 , correct if necessary.

Fig 1: Identifying Locking Pins And Special Tools (31 3 341, 33 3 357)

Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.

WARNING:

Coils of coil spring must be located completely in recesses of special tools 31 3 357 when tensioned!

Compress coil spring until stress on piston rod is relieved.

Clean coil spring to remove all coarse dirt and mount on special tools 31 3 357 .

Fig 2: Identifying Coil Spring On Special Tools (31 3 357)

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Mark installation position of support bearing to spring strut shock absorber using a stud (arrow).

Compress coil spring until stress on piston rod is relieved.

Fig 3: Aligning Support Bearing On Spring Strut Shock Absorber

Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.

Release nut (gripping piston rod in the process).

Remove plate and support bearing with upper spring pad.

Remove spring strut shock absorber with support pot, rear auxiliary damper, protective tube and lower spring pad sideways from tensioned coil spring.

Fig 4: Removing Shock Absorber Support Plate Nut

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Remove support pot, rear auxiliary damper (1) with protective tube and lower spring pad (2).

Assembly:

Check lower spring pad (2), if necessary replace and position on spring plate.

Check rear auxiliary damper (1) with protective tube for damage, replace if necessary and attach to piston rod.

Attach support pot to piston rod.

Fig 5: Identifying Damper And Lower Spring Pad

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Replacement only: Carry over marking from old part to new part.

Insert spring strut shock absorber in tensioned coil spring and align to end of coil spring using lower spring pad.

Fig 6: Aligning Coil Spring Lower Spring Pad

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NOTE:

Make sure end of coil spring is correctly seated in lower spring pad.

Fig 7: Identifying Coil Spring Installation Position

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Check support bearing for damage, replace if necessary.

Attach support bearing to piston rod. Use lower spring pad to align support bearing to end of coil spring.

Fig 8: Aligning Support Bearing To Coil Spring

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Attach plate to piston rod.

Replace self-locking nut and screw on as far as possible to avoid damaging the piston rod when relieving tension on the coil spring.

Align support bearing by way of a stud (arrow) to marking on spring strut shock absorber.

Fig 9: Aligning Support Bearing On Spring Strut Shock Absorber

Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.

Relieve tension on coil spring slightly.

NOTE:

Make sure that lower and upper coils of coil spring rest completely in recess of spring plate or support bearing.

Tighten down nut (gripping piston rod in the process).

Tightening torque: 33 52 2AZ . See SHOCK ABSORBERS for specs.

Fully relieve tension on coil spring.

Fig 10: Removing Shock Absorber Support Plate Nut

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After installation:

Carry out coding (dependent on type code number)

NOTE:

Coding is only required on listed vehicles from 03/2005 with Electronic Damper Control (EDC).