31 10 000 Removing and installing complete front axle (with spring strut shock absorber)

WARNING: This page is about a different car, the 2010 BMW 550i, 2009 BMW 550i, and 2008 BMW 550i. 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.
Danger of poisoning if oil is ingested/absorbed through the skin!
Risk of injury if oil comes into contact with eyes and skin!

IMPORTANT: Adhere to the utmost cleanliness. Do not allow any dirt to enter the hydraulic system.
Seal off hydraulic lines with plugs.

Necessary preliminary tasks:

Disconnect battery negative lead . See 12 00... INSTRUCTIONS FOR DISCONNECTING AND CONNECTING BATTERY .
Draw off and dispose off hydraulic fluid from fluid reservoir
Secure engine in installation position . See 11 00 670 SECURING ENGINE IN INSTALLATION POSITION (N62, N62TU) .
Remove front wheels .
Disconnect plug connection of both pulse generators . See 34 52 525 REPLACING ONE FRONT PULSE GENERATOR .
Remove both brake calipers from swivel bearing and tie up. See 34 11 519 REMOVING AND INSTALLING/REPLACING LEFT OR RIGHT FRONT BRAKE CALIPER .
Remove reinforcement plate .
If necessary, remove steering gear cover on both sides
Remove wheel suspension cover on both sides
Remove lower steering spindle from power steering gear . See 32 31 070 REMOVING AND INSTALLING / REPLACING LOWER SECTION OF STEERING SPINDLE .
If necessary, disconnect plug connection on EH converter and expose line up to engine carrier.
If necessary, disconnect plug connection on ride-height sensor and expose line up to engine carrier.
If necessary, expose and disconnect vacuum line for engine mount up to point of separation on engine support arm.
Except M5, M6: Disconnect pressure line(s) from vane pump .
M5, M6: Disconnect pressure line from power steering gear . See STEERING AND WHEEL ALIGNMENT article.
Disconnect return line from power steering cooler . See STEERING AND WHEEL ALIGNMENT article.
Remove both stabilizer links from spring strut bracket .

IMPORTANT:

Check sensor head and line from pulse generator prior to installation for external damage, replacing if necessary.

Version with Dynamic Drive:

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

Release nuts (1, 2).

Tightening torque (1): 32 41 3AZ . See STEERING AND WHEEL ALIGNMENT - TIGHTENING TORQUES .

Tightening torque (2): 37 14 13AZ . See INTEGRATED SUSPENSION SYSTEMS - TIGHTENING TORQUES .

Fig 1: Release Nuts (1, 2)

Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.

Version with active steering:

Disconnect plug connections (1, 2).

Expose wiring harness (3) up to front axle carrier.

Fig 2: Identifying Plug Connections And Wiring Harness

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.
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.

Remove both spring struts from spring strut dome .

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

Fig 3: Identifying Front Axle Carrier

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 32 00 150 KDS CHASSIS/WHEEL ALIGNMENT CHECK WITH LOAD UP TO DESIGN POSITION or 32 00 155 KDS CHASSIS/WHEEL ALIGNMENT CHECK WITH RIDE-HEIGHT MEASUREMENT WITHOUT LOAD .
Carry out steering angle sensor adjustment/adjustment for active steering . See 32 10 005 ADJUSTMENT FOR ACTIVE FRONT STEERING or 61 31 996 CARRYING 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 .