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

WARNING: This page does not describe the selected car, but rather 6 other vehicles, including the 2016 BMW 328i xDrive, 2016 BMW 328d xDrive, 2015 BMW 328i xDrive, 2015 BMW 328d xDrive, and 2014 BMW 328i xDrive. However, it is still accessible from the selected car via links, so may be relevant.

Special tools required:

31 3 340
31 2 230
2 240 516
2 364 829
31 3 341
2 240 482
2 240 523
2 364 828
2 240 486
2 240 487
2 240 490
33 0 040

IMPORTANT:

When replacing the spring strut, replace the auxiliary damper as well!

WARNING: Before using the special tool 31 3 340 take care to read through the Owner's Handbook!
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:

Use the BMW-approved special tool only!
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!
Risk of damage inside the shock absorber!
Do not compress coil spring to full extent!

Necessary preliminary tasks:

Remove front spring strut . See 31 31 000 REMOVING AND INSTALLING COMPLETE LEFT OR RIGHT SPRING STRUT SHOCK ABSORBER .

Slacken nut (1).

Tightening torque 31 31 3AZ

Take off holder (2).

Pull out screw (3).

Expand swivel bearing with special tool 31 2 230 and pull off spring strut.

Installation note:

Keep press fit of swivel bearing and spring strut in lower area clean and free from oil and grease.

Screw head must point in direction of travel.

Replace screw (3) and self-locking nut (1).

Fig 1: Identifying Swivel Bearing Nut, Holder And Screw

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Installation note:

Expand swivel bearing (1) with special tool 31 2 230.

Align swivel bearing (1) to positioning pin (2) on the rear side of the spring strut along the gap and slide all the way in.

Fig 2: Aligning Swivel Bearing To Positioning Pin

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IMPORTANT: Risk of damage to the coil spring protective sheath!

Use tensioning plate 2 240 516 without fail with protective insert 2 364 829.

Fig 3: Identifying Tensioning Plate (2 240 516) And Protective Insert (2 364 829)

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With support bearings with 3 screws (support bearing on body):

Clamp special tool 31 3 341 in vice.

Fit special tool 2 240 516 and 2 240 482 onto special tool 31 3 341 until retaining bolt (1) can be felt and heard to snap into place.

Insert the centering insert 2 240 523 in the round tensioning plate 2 240 482 .

Check seating of special tools 2 240 516 and 2 240 482 with centering insert 2 240 523, correct if necessary.

Fig 4: Inserting Centering Insert (2 240 523) In Tensioning Plate (2 240 482)

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With support bearings with 5 screws (support bearing on body):

Clamp special tool 31 3 341 in vice.

Fit special tool 2 240 516 and 2 240 482 onto special tool 31 3 341 until retaining bolt (1) can be felt and heard to snap into place.

Insert the centering insert 2 364 828 in the round tensioning plate 2 240 482 .

Check seating of special tools 2 240 516 and 2 240 482 with centering insert 2 364 828, correct if necessary.

Fig 5: Inserting Centering Insert (2 364 828) In Tensioning Plate (2 240 482)

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Installation of brake onto round tensioning plate:

Move counter support 2 240 486 into the correct position/bore hole (see Fig 6)

Standard suspension: Screw connection using bore holes 1 and 17
Sport suspension: Screw connection using bore holes 7 and 15

Turn centering insert 2 240 523 until counter support 2 240 486 can be screwed into place at the specified position.

Screw together counter support with round tension plate and centering insert with screws (1) so they are hand-tight!

Fig 6: Turning Centering Insert (2 240 523)

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With support bearings with 3 screws (support bearing on body):

Clean coil spring to remove contamination!

Spring must be free of grease, clean and dry.

Insert spring strut into spring tensioner.

WARNING: Insert the guide pins (1) of the support bearing must fit into the recesses on the centering insert 2 240 523.
The support bearing must be completely fitted against the centering ring 2 240 523.
The lower spring coil must be placed completely into the recess of special tool 2 240 516!

Fig 7: Inserting Support Bearing Guide Pins

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With support bearings with 5 screws (support bearing on body):

Clean coil spring to remove contamination!

Spring must be free of grease, clean and dry.

Insert spring strut into spring tensioner.

WARNING: Insert the guide pins (1) of the support bearing must fit into the recesses on the centering insert 2 364 828.
The support bearing must be completely fitted against the centering ring 2 364 828.
The lower spring coil must be placed completely into the recess of special tool 2 240 516!

Fig 8: Inserting Support Bearing Guide Pins

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Attach pressure plate 2 240 487 with the screws 2 240 490 !

The gummed side of the pressure plate 2 240 487 must be fitted against the top spring coil!

Position the spring strut so that the end of the spring (1) protrudes by 40 mm beyond the pressure plate 2 240 487 .

Tighten the screws 2 240 490 evenly at 7 Nm.

Fig 9: Positioning Spring Strut

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IMPORTANT: The pressure plate 2 240 487 must be aligned parallel with the top spring coil (1)!
When the end of the spring begins turning relative to the pressure plate, stop tensioning immediately!
Correct seating of the pressure plate must be checked, and the rubberised mount and pressure plate must be checked for wear!

Fig 10: Aligning Pressure Plate (2 240 487) With Spring Coil

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Tension coil spring with spring tensioner 31 3 341 until stress on piston rod is relieved.

Release nut with special tool 33 0 040.

Remove the spring strut with auxiliary damper.

Installation note:

Replace nut.

Impact screwdrivers are prohibited!

Risk of damage inside the shock absorber!

Fig 11: Tightening Nut Using Special Tool (33 0 040)

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Installation note:

Remove the spring pad (1) and mount onto the new spring strut, replace if necessary.

Replace the auxiliary damper (2).

Fig 12: Identifying Spring Pad And Auxiliary Damper

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Insert spring strut into tensioned coil spring.

IMPORTANT: Align the lower end of the spring (1) flush with the spring pad (2).
Check installation position of the protective tube and correct fold if necessary.

Fig 13: Identifying Spring Lower End And Spring Pad

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Tighten new nut with special tool 33 0 040.

Tightening torque 31 31 2AZ

Relieve tension on coil spring.

Impact screwdrivers are prohibited!

Risk of damage inside the shock absorber!

Fig 14: Tightening Nut Using Special Tool (33 0 040)

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After installation:

Carry out wheel alignment procedure . See 32 00 150 KDS CHASSIS/WHEEL ALIGNMENT CHECK WITH VEHICLE LOAD UP TO DESIGN POSITION or 32 00 155 KDS WHEEL ALIGNMENT CHECK WITH RIDE HEIGHT MEASUREMENT WITHOUT VEHICLE LOAD .