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

WARNING: This page does not describe the selected car, but rather 7 other vehicles, including the 2014 BMW X6, 2013 BMW X6, 2012 BMW X6, 2011 BMW X6, and 2010 BMW X6. However, it is still accessible from the selected car via links, so may be relevant.

Special tools required:

NOTE: Support bearing flange can only be mounted on spring strut dome in one position.

Version with Vertical Dynamics Management:

IMPORTANT: Handle the spring strut with care so as to avoid damaging the control unit (1) and control valve (2).

Fig 1: Identifying Control Unit And Control Valve

Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.

WARNING: Prior to each use of the special tool 31 3 340 , it is essential to read the associated Owner's Handbook fully!
All the safety precautions and instructions contained in the Owner's Handbook must be strictly observed!
Failure to observe these safety precautions and instructions increases the risk of serious physical injury, damage to your health and damage to property and equipment!

IMPORTANT:

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 (down to the spindle) free from grease.
Impact screwdrivers are prohibited!
Do not compress coil spring to full extent.

Necessary preliminary tasks:

Remove FRONT SPRING STRUT

IMPORTANT: E70 Security only:

Special tool 31 3 341 must be used in conjunction with special tool 31 3 351!

Fig 2: Clamping Special Tool (31 3 341) In Vice

Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.

Removing:

Clamp special tool 31 3 341 in vice.

Fit special tools 31 3 351 and 31 3 353 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 3 351 and 31 3 353 , correct if necessary.

Fig 3: Clamping Special Tool (31 3 341) In Vice

Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.

Clean coil spring to remove coarse contamination and take up with special tools 31 3 351 and 31 3 353.

Turn spring strut until end of coil spring (1) points upwards.

Fig 4: Identifying Coil Spring And Special Tools (31 3 351, 31 3 353)

Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.

WARNING: Coils of coil spring must be located completely in recesses of special tools 31 3 351 and 31 3 353!

Compress coil spring until stress on piston rod is relieved.

Fig 5: Compressing Coil Spring Until

Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.

Slacken nut (1).

Remove joint disc (2), support bearing upper section (3) and support bearing flange (4).

Fig 6: Supporting Bearing Upper Section

Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.

Remove support pot (1) and protective tube (2).

Fig 7: Identifying Support Pot And Protective Tube

Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.

Relieve tension on coil spring.

Remove coil spring with shock absorber from special tools 31 3 351 and 31 3 353.

Remove shock absorber from coil spring.

Fig 8: Identifying Shock Absorber And Special Tools (31 3 351 And 31 3 353)

Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.

If necessary, remove auxiliary damper (1) and spring pad (2) from shock absorber.

Assembly:

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

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

Fig 9: Identifying Auxiliary Damper And Spring Pad

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 10: Identifying Spring Pad, Protective Tube And Bearing Upper Section

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 11: Identifying Coil Spring With Special Tools (31 3 351)

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 12: Identifying Tension Coil Spring Until And Special Tools (31 3 351)

Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.

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

Fig 13: Identifying Support Pot And Protective Tube

Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.

Left spring strut only:

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

Fig 14: Identifying Version With Vertical Dynamics Management (Left Spring)

Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.

Right spring strut only:

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

Fig 15: Identifying Version With Vertical Dynamics Management (Right Spring)