37 11 030 Removing and installing complete left or right spring strut shock absorber

Attention! 

If the centering pin is missing from the support bearing, the position of the threaded bolts to the wheel arch must be marked so that the original camber is approximately maintained.

Only one nut may ever be released for marking.

Necessary preliminary tasks: 

• Remove FRONT WHEEL
• Remove ANTI-ROLL BAR LINK FROM SPRING STRUT
• Disconnect the plug connection and expose the line to the holder on the spring strut
• Unlock and disconnect the line for the VDC damper in the engine compartment
• Remove the front PULSE SENSOR from the swivel bearing
• Remove FRONT BRAKE DISC

Remove jointed rod of ride height sensor on wishbone.

Fig 1: Locating Jointed Rod Of Ride Height Sensor On Wishbone

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Release nut (1), if necessary, counter-hold at inner Torx (T40).

Installation note: 

Keep wishbone to swivel bearing connection clean and free from oil and grease.

Replace self-locking nut.

Tightening torque 31 12 4AZ .

Fig 2: Identifying Nut On Wishbone

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Pull wishbone (1) in direction of arrow and feed out of swivel bearing (2).

Fig 3: Feeding Wishbone Out Of Swivel Bearing

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Attention! 

Wishbone (1) can lie on swivel bearing (3).

Risk of damage to the rubber grommet (2) by the swivel bearing (3).

Fig 4: Identifying Wishbone, Rubber Grommet And Swivel Bearing

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Remove TRACK ROD END FROM SWIVEL BEARING .

Remove TRAILING LINK FROM SWIVEL BEARING

Release nuts (1) and remove spring strut with swivel bearing towards bottom.

Installation note: 

Clean contact surface in spring strut dome.

Align spring strut using centering pin for bore hole in wheel arch, or the stud bolts for the marks on the wheel arch and push upwards.

Replace self-locking nuts.

Tightening torque 31 31 1AZ .

Fig 5: Identifying Spring Strut Nuts

Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.