31 12 002 Removing and installing/replacing top left wishbone

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Special tools required:

33 5 206

NOTE: Wishbones with + or - marking (see Fig 1) are camber correction arms:
- Underdimension variant
+ Overdimension 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 wishbone is a standard part.

Fig 1: Identifying Wishbone Mark

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 DME Control Unit Mounting Screws

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Release nut (1) on wishbone (2) and remove.

Tightening torque 31 12 5AZ .

Installation note:

Replace nut.

Fig 3: Identifying Wishbone And Nut

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

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

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

Installation note:

Replace self-locking nut.

Tightening torque 37 14 5AZ .

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

Tightening torque 31 12 6AZ .

Installation note:

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

Fig 5: Identifying Ride Height Sensor Jointed Rod From Wishbone, Nut And Bolt

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Note direction of insertion of screw.

Screw must rest correctly in groove of ball stud!

Replace nut.

Tighten wishbone 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 wishbone (2).

Installation note:

Note direction of insertion of screw.

Replace screw and nut.

Tighten in NORMAL POSITION .

Fig 6: Removing Spring Strut From Wishbone

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Release screw (1).

Tightening torque 31 12 5AZ .

Pull spring strut outwards and remove screw (1).

Remove wishbone (2).

Installation note:

Replace nut.

Fig 7: Identifying Wishbone And Screw

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Risk of damage!

Observe assembly sequence.

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

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

Fig 8: Identifying Upper Wishbone, Wishbone/Swivel Bearing And Screw
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Adjusting normal position:

Fig 9: Measuring Middle Dimension Of Wishbone

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Installation note:

The graphic shows the left wishbone.

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

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