33 31 503 Lowering/Raising Rear Axle Carrier

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Special tools required:

00 2 040
33 3 274
33 4 227
33 4 228

IMPORTANT:

Observe safety instructions on raising the vehicle . See 00..... LIFTING VEHICLE WITH A LIFTING PLATFORM

Adhere to the utmost cleanliness. Do not allow any dirt to enter the hydraulic system.

Seal off pipe connections with plugs.

Necessary preliminary tasks:

Remove rear wheels See 36 10 300 REMOVING OR INSTALLING FRONT OR REAR WHEEL
Version with ride-height control: Deactivate and empty air spring system See 37 00 100 DRAINING/FILLING AIR SPRING SYSTEM
Remove brake disc on both sides See 34 21 320 REMOVING AND INSTALLING OR REPLACING BOTH REAR BRAKE DISCS
Disconnect parking brake Bowden cable on both sides from expander lock
Remove complete exhaust system See 18 00 020 REMOVING AND INSTALLING COMPLETE EXHAUST SYSTEM (N73)
Partially remove thermal insulation
Detach plug connection for pulse generator on both sides and expose line up to control arm
Detach plug connection for brake pad wear sensor on right and expose line up to control arm
If necessary, disconnect plug connections at ride-height sensors
Remove spring strut shock absorber/air spring strut on both sides from wheel carrier. See 37 12 070 REMOVING AND INSTALLING/REPLACING REAR LEFT OR RIGHT AIR SPRING STRUT

Insert special tools 33 4 227 and 33 4 228 into corresponding mountings of special tool 00 2 040 . See 00 2 040 BASIC TAKE-UP FIXTURE

Fig 1: Identifying Special Tool (1 Of 2)

Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.

WARNING:

Danger of injury!

Failure to comply with the following instructions may result in the vehicle slipping off the lifting platform and critically injuring other persons.

When supporting components, make sure that

the vehicle can no longer be raised or lowered
the vehicle does not lift off the locating plates on the lifting platform

Align special tool 00 2 040 to rear axle carrier. See 00 2 040 BASIC TAKE-UP FIXTURE

If necessary, lower special tool 33 3 274.

Support rear axle carrier by raising special tool 00 2 040. See 00 2 040 BASIC TAKE-UP FIXTURE

Fig 2: Identifying Special Tool (2 Of 2)

Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.

Version with Dynamic Drive: Disconnect pressure lines for rear axle oscillating motor. See 37 13 110 REMOVING AND INSTALLING/REPLACING PRESSURE LINE FOR OSCILLATING MOTOR/REAR AXLE

Remove tension strut on both sides with heat shield . See 33 33 001 REPLACING LEFT OR RIGHT REAR AXLE CARRIER TENSION STRUT

Remove wheel arch cover on both sides from stop disc.

Release bolts (1), stop plates (2) and damping discs at bottom.

Lower rear axle carrier.

Installation:

Check threads for damage; if necessary, repair with Helicoil thread inserts . See 33 00... NOTES ON REPAIRING THREADS

First install tension struts and then tighten down bolts (1). See 33 33 001 REPLACING LEFT OR RIGHT REAR AXLE CARRIER TENSION STRUT

Tightening torque 33 33 3AZ. See 33 33 REAR AXLE SUSPENSION

Fig 3: Identifying Rear Axle Carrier Bolts & Stop Plates

Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.

After installation:

Version with ride-height control:
- 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)
- Check pipe connections for leaks
- If necessary, carry out initial Dynamic Drive operation See 37 10 001 INITIAL OPERATION WITH TEST RUN OF DYNAMIC DRIVE
Adjust parking brake See 34 41 006 ADJUSTING PARKING BRAKE