31 33 001 Replacing front left or right spring strut support bearing

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Special tools required:

See 31 FRONT AXLE

31 2 210
31 3 210
31 3 341
31 3 382
31 3 383

WARNING: Observe the following instructions to avoid any risk of injury by the coil springs.

Prior to each use, check the special tools for defects, modifications and operational reliability.
Damaged/modified special tools must not be used!
No changes or modifications may be made to the special tools!
These special tools are intended solely for the purpose of tightening and relieving cylindrical and tapered suspension springs.
Keep special tools dry, clean and free of grease.
Impact screwdrivers may not be used!
Do not compress coil spring to full extent.
Observe manufacturer's instructions.

Necessary preliminary tasks:

Remove front spring strut, see 31 31 000 Removing and installing complete left or right spring strut shock absorber .

Removing:

Clamp special tool 31 3 341 in vice.

Fit special tools 31 3 382 and 31 3 383 from above on special tool 31 3 341 until locking pins (1) can be felt and heard to snap into place.

Check seating of special tools 31 3 382 and 31 3 383 , correct if necessary.

Fig 1: Locking Pins And Special Tool (31 3 341), (31 3 382) And (31 3 383)

Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.

WARNING: Coils of coil spring must be located completely in recess of special tools 31 3 382 and 31 3 383 when tensioned!

Compress coil spring until stress on piston rod is relieved.

Clean coil spring to remove coarse contamination and take up with special tools 31 3 382 and 31 3 383 .

Turn spring strut until special tool 31 3 382 rests in indentation (1) of spring strut.

NOTE: In this way, the coil spring rests to optimum effect on special tools 31 3 382 and 31 3 383 .

Compress coil spring until stress on piston rod is relieved.

Fig 2: Special Tools (31 3 382) And (31 3 383)

Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.

Remove cap.

Release nut with special tool 31 3 210 , grip piston rod if necessary.

Remove support bearing and dust sleeve.

Fig 3: Special Tool (31 3 210)

Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.

Version with rough road package:

Unscrew nuts.

Remove adapter (A) from support bearing.

Installation:

Align adapter (A) using centering pin (1) to support bearing and place in position.

Replace self-locking nuts.

Tightening torque: 31 31 1AZ, see 31 31 SPRING STRUTS .

Drive in centering pin (1) of adapter (A).

NOTE: If an adapter (A) without a centering pin was fitted, centering pin (1) of new adapter (A) must be driven in.

Fig 4: Adapter And Centering Pin

Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.

Version with rough road package:

If necessary, drive out centering pin (1).

NOTE: If a support bearing (2) was fitted without centering pin (1), the centering pin (1) of the new support bearing (2) must be driven out.

Fig 5: Support Bearing And Centering Pin

Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.

Replace self-locking nut and screw on as far as possible to avoid damaging the piston rod when relieving tension on the coil spring.

Relieve tension on coil spring slightly.

NOTE: Make sure that lower and upper coils of coil spring rest completely in recess of spring plate.

Tighten down nut with special tool 31 2 210 (grip piston rod in the process).

Tightening torque: 31 31 2AZ, see 31 31 SPRING STRUTS .

Fully relieve tension on coil spring.

Fig 6: Special Tool (31 3 210)

Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.

After installation:

Carry out wheel alignment check, see 32 00 150 KDS CHASSIS/WHEEL ALIGNMENT CHECK WITH LOAD UP TO DESIGN POSITION if a spring strut with support bearing was or has been installed without centering pin.