37 12 070 Removing And Installing / Replacing Rear Left Or Right Air Spring Strut

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 of injury!
Drain the air spring system before carrying out any work on the air supply unit, air pipes and air spring struts!
Danger of injury if this instruction is not complied with!
Risk of damage!
Extreme cleanliness must be ensured in the connection area of the pipes during removal and installation. Even the smallest of dirt particles can cause leakage in the air spring system.

NOTE: Read and comply with notes on air spring system . See 37 00 ... NOTES ON AIR SPRING SYSTEM .
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:

Deactivating air spring system:
- Raise vehicle on lifting platform.
- Remove ignition key.
- Pull fuse for control unit
Remove rear wheel arch cover . See 51 71 041 REMOVING AND INSTALLING/REPLACING REAR LEFT OR RIGHT WHEEL ARCH COVER .

WARNING: Danger of injury!
Do not disassemble the air spring strut! Air spring strut is still under a certain residual pressure even after the pipe is disconnected.

IMPORTANT: Risk of damage!
Grip residual pressure holding valve when releasing and tightening banjo bolt in order to avoid leaks at the air spring strut.
The air spring strut must be replaced if the seal paint on the screw connection (residual pressure holding valve to air spring strut) has been damaged.
Do not kink, twist or crush lines.

Carefully slacken banjo bolt (1) until the sound of escaping air can be heard. In so doing, grip residual pressure holding valve (2) to avoid damaging the seal paint (arrow).

NOTE: Wait roughly 2 minutes until the pressure on the left or right side of the air spring system is completely reduced (hissing sound stops).

Only fully release banjo bolt (1) after pressure has completely reduced.

Installation:

Check banjo bolt for dirt, clean if necessary.

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

Fig 1: Identifying Banjo Bolt And Residual Pressure Holding Valve

Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.

Remove trim panel for luggage compartment partition wall/luggage compartment wheel arch trim . See 51 47 151 REMOVING AND INSTALLING / REPLACING LEFT LUGGAGE COMPARTMENT WHEEL ARCH TRIM or 51 47 161 REMOVING AND INSTALLING / REPLACING RIGHT LUGGAGE COMPARTMENT WHEEL ARCH TRIM .

If necessary, remove sound insulation.

Version with Electronic Damper Control: Disconnect plug connection.

Unscrew nuts.

Installation:

Replace self-locking nuts.

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

Fig 2: Identifying Self-Locking Nut

Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.

WARNING: Danger of injury!
Wheel carrier moves approx. 3 cm upwards immediately after air spring strut is removed.

Remove stabilizer link from stabilizer . See 33 55 040 REPLACING STABILIZER LINK FOR REAR LEFT OR RIGHT STABILIZER .

Release screw.

Press air spring strut off wheel carrier and remove towards bottom.

Installation:

Replace screw.

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

Fig 3: Locating Stabilizer Screw

Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.

After installation:

Activate and fill air suspension system
- Insert fuse in corresponding slot in fuse box
- Connect BMW diagnosis system
- Switch ignition on.
- Fill rear air spring strut using BMW diagnosis system (control unit function: activate menu items "Fill rear left/right air spring" once)
- Lower vehicle
  
  Fig 4: Identifying DIS Screen
  Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.