31 12 002 Removing and installing/replacing top left control arm

WARNING: This page does not describe the selected car, but rather 21 other vehicles, including the 2017 BMW 550i GT xDrive, 2017 BMW 535i GT xDrive, 2017 BMW 535i GT, 2016 BMW 550i GT xDrive, and 2016 BMW 535i GT xDrive. However, it is still accessible from the selected car via links, so may be relevant.

Special tools required:

33 5 206

NOTE: Control arms with + or - marking (see Fig 1) are camber correction arms:
- Under-dimension variant,
+ Over-dimension variant
These camber correction arms are used to correct the camber values by 30 minutes. To be used only if the tolerance values are exceeded or undershot!
An unmarked control arm is a standard part.

Fig 1: Identifying Variants Of Camber Correction Arms

Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.

Necessary preliminary work:

Remove FRONT WHEEL .
All-wheel drive vehicle/Dynamic Drive: If necessary, remove OIL RESERVOIR FOR HYDRAULIC STEERING FROM THE LEFT WHEEL ARCH .
N74: Remove left intake silencer housing.
N74: Remove electronics box on left wheel arch.
Hybrid: Release expansion tank for electrical machine electronics.

N63 (with water-cooled DME control unit)

Unscrew screws (1) and (2).

Lay DME control unit with holder and oil reservoir to one side.

Fig 2: Identifying Screws

Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.

Release nut (1) on control arm (2) and remove.

Tightening torque 31 12 5AZ

Installation note:

Replace nut.

Fig 3: Identifying Nut On Control Arm

Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.

Secure swivel bearing (1) 33 5 206 with tensioning belt to spring (2).

Fig 4: Securing Swivel Bearing Using Special Tool 33 5 206 On Spring Strut

Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.

Release nut (1) and remove ride height sensor jointed rod from control arm.

Installation note:

Replace self-locking nut.

Tightening torque 37 14 5AZ

Release nut (2) and remove bolt (3).

Tightening torque 31 12 6AZ

Fig 5: Identifying Nuts And Bolt

Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.

Installation note:

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

Note direction of insertion of screw.

Screw must rest correctly in groove of ball stud!

Replace nut.

Tighten control arm as far as it will go in relation to swivel bearing.

Release nut (1) and remove screw.

Tightening torque 31 12 7AZ

Release spring strut from control arm (2).

Installation note:

Note direction of insertion of screw.

Replace screw and nut.

Tighten in NORMAL POSITION .

Fig 6: Identifying Direction For Insertion Of Screw Into Control Arm

Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.

Release screw (1).

Tightening torque 31 12 5AZ

Pull spring strut outwards and remove screw (1).

Remove control arm (2).

Installation note:

Replace nut.

Fig 7: Identifying Control Arm And Screw

Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.

Risk of damage!

Observe assembly sequence.

Upper control arm must be screwed in normal position! (Adjustment of normal position, see below).

Insert bolt (2) (do not tighten down)
Adjust upper control arm to body to dimension (A).
Tighten screw (2).
Tightening torque 31 12 5AZ
Tighten screw (1).
Tightening torque 31 12 5AZ
Tighten spring strut/control arm (lower) screw connection.
Tightening torque 31 12 7AZ
Tighten control arm/swivel bearing (3) screw connection.
Tightening torque 31 12 6AZ

Fig 8: Identifying Control Arm/Swivel Bearing And Screws
Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.

Adjusting normal position:

Fig 9: Identifying Dimension For Securing Control Arm Vertically To Body

Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.

Installation note:

The graphic shows the left control arm.

The protrusion is missing on the right side. Measure to the middle of the control arm.

Secure control arm (1) to body vertically to dimension (A) = 90 mm.