33 31 011 Replacing Rear Axle Carrier

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IMPORTANT: Adhere to the utmost cleanliness. Do not allow any dirt to enter the hydraulic system.
Close off pipe connections with plugs.

Necessary preliminary tasks:

Remove rear differential . See 33 10 010 REMOVING AND INSTALLING/REPLACING REAR DIFFERENTIAL .
Remove complete rear axle carrier and if necessary with other workers assisting set down on a suitable surface. See 33 31 000 REMOVING AND INSTALLING COMPLETE REAR AXLE CARRIER .
Version with Dynamic Drive: Disconnect pressure lines for oscillating motor of rear axle from rear axle carrier. See 37 13 110 REMOVING AND INSTALLING/REPLACING PRESSURE LINE FOR OSCILLATING MOTOR/REAR AXLE .
Remove both stabilizer links from stabilizer . See 33 55 040 REPLACING STABILIZER LINK FOR REAR LEFT OR RIGHT STABILIZER .
Remove stabilizer from rear axle carrier . See 33 55 000 REMOVING AND INSTALLING/REPLACING REAR STABILIZER or 37 12 220 REMOVING AND INSTALLING/REPLACING REAR ACTIVE STABILIZER .
Remove ride-height sensor(s) with holder from rear axle carrier . See 37 14 515 REPLACING REAR LEFT OR RIGHT RIDE-HEIGHT SENSOR .

Remove swinging arm on both sides from rear axle carrier . See 33 32 064 REMOVING AND INSTALLING/REPLACING LEFT OR RIGHT SWINGING ARM .

Remove control arm on both sides from rear axle carrier . See 33 32 071 REPLACING ONE UPPER CONTROL ARM .

Remove guide arm on both sides from rear axle carrier . See 33 32 091 REPLACING A GUIDE ARM .

Remove wheel carrier on both sides with output shaft, swinging arm and suspension arms.

Fig 1: Identifying Swinging Arm On Both Sides From Rear Axle Carrier

Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.

Build date up to 03/2005:

NOTE: If the rear axle carrier is to be replaced, the parts also ordered must be installed. The procedure is described in 33 33 001 REPLACING LEFT OR RIGHT REAR AXLE CARRIER TENSION STRUT .

Fig 2: Identifying Tension Strut For Rear Axle Carrier

Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.

After installation:

Activate and fill air suspension system . See 37 00 100 DRAINING/FILLING AIR SPRING SYSTEM .
Version with Dynamic Drive:
- Fill and bleed hydraulic system . See 32 13 006 BLEEDING POWER STEERING (VERSION WITH DYNAMIC DRIVE) or 32 13 006 BLEEDING POWER STEERING UNIT .
- Check pipe connections for leaks
Adjusting parking brake . See 34 41 006 ADJUSTING PARKING BRAKE .
Perform chassis alignment check . See 32 00 ... CHASSIS/WHEEL ALIGNMENT CHECK PROCEDURE .
If necessary, carry out initial Dynamic Drive operation . See 37 10 001 INITIAL OPERATION WITH TEST RUN OF DYNAMIC DRIVE .