37 11 032 Replacing front left or right spring strut shock absorber: Removing

WARNING: This page is about a different car, the 2011 BMW 750xi and 2010 BMW 750xi. However, it is still accessible from the selected car via links, so may be relevant.

Clamp special tool 31 3 341 in vice.

Fit special tools 31 3 351 from above on special tool 31 3 341 until retaining bolts (1) can be felt and heard to snap into place.

Fig 1: Fitting Special Tools (31 3 351) On Special Tool (31 3 341)

G06889597

Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.

Insert spring strut into spring tensioner in such a way that anti-roll bar link fixture (1) is horizontally positioned to left or right.

Fig 2: Identifying Anti-Roll Bar Link Fixture

G06889598

Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.

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

Compress coil spring until stress on piston rod is relieved.

Fig 3: Identifying Compressing Coil Spring Using Special Tools (31 3 351)

G06889599

Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.

Release nut with special tool 33 0 040 .

Check support bearing and spring pad for damage and replace if necessary.

Remove shock absorber, auxiliary damper, protective tube and spring pad from tensioned coil spring, examine and replace if necessary.

Fig 4: Releasing Nut Using Special Tool (33 0 040)

G06889600

Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.

IMPORTANT: When mounting, spring strut and support bearing must aligned using special tool 83 30 2 210 778.
The following procedure must be followed.

Fig 5: Aligning Spring Strut And Support Bearing Using Special Tool (83 30 2 210 778)

G06889601

Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.

Insert shock absorber in tensioned coil spring.

Slide auxiliary damper, protective tube and spring pad onto piston rod.

IMPORTANT: Lower end of coil spring must rest against spring pad (1).

Fig 6: Identifying Spring Pad

G06889602

Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.

IMPORTANT: Fit support bearing and align with end of coil spring.

Fig 7: Identifying Support Bearing And Coil Spring Alignment Area

G04742579

Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.

Use special tool 33 0 040 to attach support bearing.

Replace nut!

Tightening torque 31 31 2AZ .

Fig 8: Releasing Nut Using Special Tool (33 0 040)

G06889600

Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.

WARNING: Danger of injury!
Adjusting device emits laser beam!
Do not look into the beam!
Laser class 2
To EN60825-1: 1994
P≤ 1 mW

NOTE: On F03 vehicles, adapter sleeves 31 0 010 are to be used to enable fixing of special tool 83 30 2 210 778 on spring strut (damper eyelet)!

Fig 9: Identifying Adapter Sleeves

G08475913

Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.

Align laser (1) with prism mirror (2)!

Mount laser (1) in damper eyelet
Mount prism mirror (2) vertically onto spring strut!
The prism mirror must be mounted on a clean, smooth surface. Do not mount prism mirror on label or weld beads!

Laser beam must face mirror!
Adjust the laser with adjusting screw (3) in such a way that the laser beam is projected onto mark (4) via the mirror.
Remove prism mirror ->After this, the laser adjustment must not be changed at the adjusting screw (3)!

Fig 10: Aligning Laser With Prism Mirror
Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.

Align spring strut and support bearing with each other

Mount gauge 83 30 2 210 783 on support bearing.