31 21 090 Removing And Installing/Replacing Left Or Right Swivel Bearing

WARNING: This page is about a different car, the 2010 BMW 135i, 2009 BMW 135i, and 2008 BMW 135i. However, it is still accessible from the selected car via links, so may be relevant.

Special tools required:

31 2 230 SOCKET

Necessary preliminary tasks:

Remove front brake disk . See 34 11 220 REMOVING AND INSTALLING/REPLACING BOTH FRONT BRAKE DISCS (BREMBO) .
Remove front pulse generator from swivel bearing . See 34 52 525 REPLACING ONE FRONT PULSE GENERATOR .

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

If necessary, remove jointed rod of ride-height sensor from control arm.

Fig 1: Locating Jointed Rod Of Ride Height Sensor

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Slacken control arm bolt connection on front axle carrier in order to prevent control arm rubber mount from being over elongated. See 31 12 000 REMOVING AND INSTALLING/REPLACING LEFT OR RIGHT CONTROL ARM .

Remove control arm from swivel bearing . See 31 12 000 REMOVING AND INSTALLING/REPLACING LEFT OR RIGHT CONTROL ARM .

Remove tie rod end from swivel bearing . See 32 21 151 REPLACING LEFT OR RIGHT TIE ROD .

WARNING: Risk of injury!
Tension strut is under tension.

Remove tension strut from swivel bearing . See 31 12 080 REMOVING AND INSTALLING/REPLACING BOTH TENSION STRUTS .

Support swivel bearing with workshop jack and a suitable mounting.

Release nut (1), remove holder (2) and remove screw.

Installation:

Screw head must point in direction of travel.

Replace self-locking nut.

Tightening torque. Refer to 31 31 3AZ in 31 31 SPRING STRUTS .

Fig 2: Removing Nut And Holder

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Spread swivel bearing with special tool 31 2 230. See Fig 3.

Lower workshop jack and remove swivel bearing.

Installation:

Keep press fit of swivel gearing and spring strut in lower area clean and free from oil and grease.

Fig 3: Spreading Swivel Bearing With Special Tool (31 2 230)

Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.

Installation:

Expand swivel bearing with special tool 31 2 230, align by way of gap to positioning pins (1) on back of spring strut and raise up to stop. See Fig 4.

Fig 4: Expanding Swivel Bearing With Special Tool (31 2 230)

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Installation:

Make sure swivel bearing contacts stop (1) correctly.

Fig 5: Identifying Swivel Bearing Contacts Area

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Replacement:

Modify wheel bearing or replace if necessary. See 31 21 180 REMOVING AND INSTALLING/REPLACING BEARING FOR FRONT WHEEL .
Modify brake carrier/brake guard plate . See 34 11 250 REMOVING AND INSTALLING/REPLACING A BRAKE CARRIER/BRAKE GUARD PLATE AT FRONT .

After installation:

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 .
Carry out steering angle sensor adjustment/adjustment for active front steering . See 32 10 005 ADJUSTMENT FOR ACTIVE FRONT STEERING or 61 31 996 CARRYING OUT STEERING ANGLE SENSOR ADJUSTMENT .