31 31 031 Replacing front left or right spring strut shock absorber: Installation

WARNING: This page is about a different car, the 2013 BMW X5 M, 2012 BMW X5 M, 2011 BMW X5 M, and 2010 BMW X5 M. However, it is still accessible from the selected car via links, so may be relevant.

Check auxiliary damper (1) and spring pad (2) for damage, replace if necessary.

NOTE: Make sure spring pad (2) is correctly seated in spring cup.

Fig 1: Identifying Auxiliary Damper And Spring Pad

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Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.

Check spring pad (1), support bearing lower section (2), protective tube (3) and support bearing upper section (4) for damage, replace if necessary.

NOTE: Align spring pad (1) by means of coding to support bearing flange (5).

Fig 2: Identifying Spring Pad, Bearing Lower Section, Protective Tube, Bearing Flange And Bearing Upper Section

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Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.

Insert shock absorber into coil spring.

Accommodate coil spring and spring strut with special tools 31 3 351 and 31 3 353 .

NOTE: End of coil spring (1) must point upwards.

Fig 3: Accommodating Coil Spring And Spring Strut With Special Tools (31 3 351) And (31 3 353)

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Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.

WARNING: Do not compress coil spring to full extent.
Coils of coil spring must be located completely in recesses of special tools 31 3 351 and 31 3 353 !

Tension coil spring until support bearing flange can be mounted.

Fig 4: Compressing Coil Spring Using Special Tools (31 3 351) And (31 3 353)

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Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.

Attach support cup (1) and protective tube (2) to piston rod.

Fig 5: Identifying Support Cup And Protective Tube

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Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.

Left spring strut only:

IMPORTANT: Stud bolt (1) above recess (2) must point in direction of travel (F)!
Coding (3) of spring pad must be seated in recess (2) opposite stud bolt (1)!
Version with Vertical Dynamics Management:
Stud bolt (4) must be flush with positioning pin (5)!

Fig 6: Identifying Spring Pad Coding Seated In Recess Opposite Stud Bolt (Left Spring Strut Only)

G08527690

Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.

Right spring strut only:

IMPORTANT: Stud bolt (1) above recess (2) must point in direction of travel (F)!
Coding (3) of spring pad must be seated in recess (2) below stud bolt (1)!
Version with Vertical Dynamics Management:
Stud bolt (4) must be flush with positioning pin (5)!

Fig 7: Identifying Spring Pad Coding Seated In Recess Opposite Stud Bolt (Right Spring Strut Only)

G08527691

Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.

Attach support bearing flange (1) to piston rod.

Align support bearing upper section (3) as illustrated and attach to inner section (2) of support bearing flange (1).

NOTE: Pay attention to edge (4) shown in graphic.

Fig 8: Identifying Support Bearing Flange, Support Bearing Upper Section, Inner Section And Edge

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Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.

Attach flexible disc (1) to piston rod.

Replace nut (2) and tighten down (gripping piston rod in so doing).

Tightening torque 31 31 2AZ .

Fig 9: Identifying Flexible Disc And Nut

G08527693

Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.

IMPORTANT: Align support bearing flange (1) and shock absorber (3) by means of spring pads to coil spring ends.

Relieve tension on coil spring.

Check installation position of protective tube (2), correct if necessary.

Fig 10: Aligning Support Bearing Flange And Shock Absorber

G08527694

Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.