33 31 011 Replacing Rear Axle Carrier

WARNING: This page is about a different car, the 2010 BMW X5, 2009 BMW X5, 2008 BMW X5, and 2007 BMW X5. However, it is still accessible from the selected car via links, so may be relevant.

WARNING: Danger to life! See 51 71 505 MOUNT SECURING FIXTURE FOR VEHICLE ON LIFTING PLATFORM to prevent the vehicle from slipping off or tilting down.

Necessary preliminary tasks:

Remove rear differential . See 33 10 010 REMOVING AND INSTALLING/REPLACING REAR DIFFERENTIAL .
Remove 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 .

Remove brake lines.

Remove stabilizer bar . See 33 55 000 REMOVING AND INSTALLING/REPLACING REAR STABILIZER or 37 12 220 REMOVING AND INSTALLING/REPLACING REAR ACTIVE STABILIZER .

Version with Dynamic Drive: Disconnect control lines for oscillating motor of rear axle from rear axle carrier.

Remove actuating unit (EMF) . See 34 41 280 REMOVING AND INSTALLING/REPLACING ACTUATING UNIT WITH CONTROL UNIT FOR PARKING BRAKE (EMF) .

Remove both brake discs . See 34 21 320 REMOVING AND INSTALLING OR REPLACING BOTH REAR BRAKE DISCS .

Remove ride-height sensor(s) . See 37 14 512 REPLACING REAR RIDE-HEIGHT SENSOR .

Fig 1: Identifying Control Lines Of Rear Axle

Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.

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

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

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

Remove both wheel carriers with output shaft, swinging arm and suspension arms.

Fig 2: Identifying Wheel Carriers With Output Shaft, Swinging Arm And Suspension Arms

Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.

Take rear axle carrier down from special tool with assistance of a 2nd person and set down on a suitable surface.

Installation:

Use previous rear axle carrier as a template for modifying or replacing small parts.

Fig 3: Identifying 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 .
Carry out ride-height-calibration . See 37 12 012 CARRYING OUT RIDE-HEIGHT-CALIBRATION .
Bleed braking system . See 34 00 050 BLEEDING BRAKE SYSTEM WITH DSC .
Perform CHASSIS ALIGNMENT CHECK
If necessary, carry out initial Dynamic Drive operation . See 37 10 001 INITIAL OPERATION WITH TEST RUN OF DYNAMIC DRIVE .