33 31 000 Removing and installing complete rear axle carrier

WARNING: This page is about a different car, the 2010 BMW X3, 2009 BMW X3, 2008 BMW X3, and 2007 BMW X3. However, it is still accessible from the selected car via links, so may be relevant.

Special tools required:

33 4 420 SUPPORT

Necessary preliminary tasks:

Remove emergency wheel pan, see 51 71 495 REMOVING AND INSTALLING/REPLACING EMERGENCY WHEEL PAN .
Remove propeller shaft from rear differential and tie back, see 26 11 000 REMOVING AND INSTALLING PROPELLER SHAFT (CARDAN UNIVERSAL JOINT) COMPLETELY .
Disengage handbrake Bowden cables from handbrake lever and expose up to rear axle carrier, see 34 41 120 REMOVING AND INSTALLING/REPLACING BOTH HANDBRAKE BOWDEN CABLES .
Remove coil springs, see 33 53 000 Removing and installing / replacing rear left or right coil spring .
If necessary, disconnect plug connection from ride-height sensor
Remove lip on both sides
Disconnect plug connection for pulse generator on both sides
Disconnect plug connection for right brake pad wear sensor.

IMPORTANT: Risk of damage!
Brake hose must not be exposed to tensile loads.

Release screw and remove bracket with brake hose.

Tightening torque: 34 32 3AZ, see 34 32 BRAKE LINES .

Fig 1: Locating Bracket With Brake Hose

Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.

Disconnect plug connection for right brake pad wear sensor on brake caliper.

Remove brake caliper on both sides of trailing arm and tie back, see 34 21 745 REMOVING AND INSTALLING/REPLACING LEFT OR RIGHT REAR BRAKE CALIPER .

Remove lower control arm on both sides from trailing arm33 32 086 Removing and installing/replacing bottom left control arm .

Slide brake caliper through between output shaft and lower control arm and tie up.

Remove bearing block for trailing arm from body33 32 ... Replacing bearing block for front trailing arm .

WARNING: Danger of injury!
Failure to comply with the following instructions may result in the vehicle slipping off the lifting platform and critically injuring other persons.
When supporting components, make sure that

the vehicle can no longer be raised or lowered
the vehicle does not lift off the locating plates on the lifting platform

Support rear differential with workshop jack and special tool 33 4 420 .

IMPORTANT: Observe gap between special tool 33 4 420 and dust plates (1).
To avoid grinding noises, make sure the dust plates (1) are not damaged (e.g. bent).

Remove tension strut, see 33 32 160 Removing and installing/replacing compression strut for rear axle carrier .

Fig 2: Dust Plates With Special Tool (33 4 420)

Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.

Release screws (1) and remove stop plate.

Lower rear axle carrier.

Installation:

Check threads for damage; if necessary, repair with Helicoil thread inserts, see 33 00 ... Notes on repairing threads .

Tightening torque: 33 33 3AZ, see 33 33 REAR AXLE SUSPENSION .

Fig 3: Stop Plate And Screw

Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.

After installation:

Adjust handbrake, see 34 10 014 ADJUSTING HANDBRAKE .
Perform 32 00 150 KDS CHASSIS/WHEEL ALIGNMENT CHECK WITH LOAD UP TO DESIGN POSITION