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

WARNING: This page is about a different car, the 2008 BMW Alpina and 2007 BMW Alpina. 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: Observe safety when raising the vehicle.
Adhere to the utmost cleanliness. Do not allow any dirt to enter the hydraulic system.
Seal off hydraulic lines with plugs.

Necessary preliminary tasks:

Secure engine in installation position.
Disconnect battery negative lead . See 12 00 ... INSTRUCTIONS FOR DISCONNECTING AND CONNECTING BATTERY .
Draw off and dispose off hydraulic fluid from fluid reservoir
Remove underbody protective plate . See 51 47 490 REMOVING AND INSTALLING / REPLACING FRONT UNDERBODY PROTECTION .
Remove air duct for brake ventilation on both sides
Remove reinforcement plate . See 31 10 010 REMOVING AND INSTALLING/REPLACING REINFORCEMENT PLATE .
If necessary, remove steering gear cover on both sides
Remove universal joint from power steering gear . See .32 31 211 REPLACING UNIVERSAL JOINT FOR LOWER SECTION OF STEERING SPINDLE .
Disconnect plug connection on Servotronic converter
Disconnect plug connection from ride-height sensor
If necessary, disconnect vacuum line from electrically operated valve to engine mounts at T-piece
Remove pressure line and if necessary Dynamic Drive pressure line from vane pump . See 32 41 060 REMOVING AND INSTALLING VANE PUMP (N62, N62TU) FOR POWER STEERING (FROM 10/2003) .
Disconnect return line from power steering cooler.
Remove and tie back brake caliper on both sides . See 34 11 519 REMOVING AND INSTALLING/REPLACING LEFT OR RIGHT FRONT BRAKE CALIPER .
Remove stabilizer link on both sides from spring strut . See 31 35 005 REMOVING AND INSTALLING/REPLACING PUSH ROD (STABILIZER LINK) FOR LEFT/RIGHT STABILIZER .
Disconnect pulse generator lead on both sides . See 34 52 525 REPLACING ONE FRONT PULSE GENERATOR .
Remove spring strut from spring strut dome . See 31 31 000 REMOVING AND INSTALLING COMPLETE LEFT OR RIGHT SPRING STRUT SHOCK ABSORBER .

Version with Dynamic Drive:

Remove bottom right wheel arch trim. See 51 71 ... REMOVING AND INSTALLING/REPLACING FRONT BOTTOM RIGHT WHEEL ARCH TRIM .

Remove underbody panelling cover on right.

Release nut (1) for Dynamic Drive pressure line.

Tightening torque. See FRONT AXLE - TIGHTENING TORQUES -- ALPINA

Release nut (2) for Dynamic Drive return line.

Tightening torque. See INTEGRATED SUSPENSION SYSTEMS - TIGHTENING TORQUES -- ALPINA .

Release nuts (3) for pressure lines to front axle oscillating motor.

Tightening torque. See INTEGRATED SUSPENSION SYSTEMS - TIGHTENING TORQUES -- ALPINA .

Fig 1: Identifying Front Axle Oscillating Motor Nut, Dynamic Drive Return And Pressure Line Nuts

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 and side panels.
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.

Support front axle carrier, release from engine carrier and carefully lower with spring struts.

Fig 2: Identifying Front Axle (With Spring Strut Shock Absorber)

Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.

After installation:

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
Carry out wheel alignment check if a spring strut with support bearing was or has been installed without centering pin. See STEERING AND WHEEL ALIGNMENT - REPAIR INSTRUCTIONS -- ALPINA .
Carry out steering angle sensor adjustment . See 61 31 996 CARRY OUT STEERING ANGLE SENSOR ADJUSTMENT .
If necessary, carry out initial Dynamic Drive operation . See 37 10 001 INITIAL OPERATION WITH TEST RUN OF DYNAMIC DRIVE .