33 32 131 Removing and installing / replacing a steering knuckle / wheel carrier

WARNING: This page is about a different car, the 2009 BMW 550i and 2008 BMW 550i. However, it is still accessible from the selected car via links, so may be relevant.

IMPORTANT: The control arm to wheel carrier connection has been changed from a conical seat to a ball seat.
To ensure a correct bolt connection, check before installing the control arm whether the seat for the control arm matches the seat for the wheel carrier.

A Conical seat
B Ball seat

Replacement only: Replace control arm with conical seat.

Fig 1: Identifying Conical Seat And Ball Seat

Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.

Remove rear wheel .

Release collar nut, activate handbrake for this purpose.

Installation:

Replace collar nut, oil collar nut/wheel bearing contact surface lightly and tighten down.

No oil permitted on thread of shaft journal or collar nut.

Tightening torque 33 41 3AZ . See 33 41 WHEEL BEARINGS .

Secure collar nut by positive peening on flat areas of output shaft.

Fig 2: Locating Collar Nut

Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.

E61: Remove air spring from wheel carrier

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

Disconnect handbrake Bowden cable from expander lock . See 34 41 120 REMOVING AND INSTALLING / REPLACING BOTH HANDBRAKE BOWDEN CABLES .

Replacement only: Drive out drive flange for rear axle shaft .

Remove pulse generator . See 34 52 535 REPLACING A REAR PULSE GENERATOR .

Remove stabilizer link from stabilizer .

Remove spring strut shock absorber/shock absorber from wheel carrier/swinging arm.

Remove integral link .

IMPORTANT: Risk of damage!
Do not drive output shaft out of drive flange with an impact tool.

Press output shaft out of drive flange .

Remove guide arm from wheel carrier .

Remove upper control arm from wheel carrier and remove wheel carrier.

Replacement:

Modify rear wheel brake . See 34 21 171 REMOVING AND INSTALLING / REPLACING A BRAKE CARRIER / BRAKE GUARD AT REAR
Install new wheel bearing
Modify or replace drive flange

IMPORTANT:

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

After installation:

Adjust handbrake . See 34 10 014 ADJUSTING HANDBRAKE .
Perform chassis alignment check . 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 .