37 12 092 Replacing rear left or right spring strut - M5, with standard suspension

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Special tools required:

31 3 340
31 3 341
2 318 833
2 304 586

WARNING: Prior to each use of special tool 31 3 340 it is essential to read the associated Owner's Handbook fully!
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:

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!
Do not compress coil spring to full extent.

Necessary preliminary tasks:

Remove rear spring strut shock absorber. See REMOVING/INSTALLING REAR SPRING STRUT .

Removing:

Clamp special tool 31 3 341 in vice.

Fit special tools 2 318 833 from above on special tool 31 3 341 until locking pins (1) can be felt and heard to snap into place.

Fig 1: Fitting Special Tools

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Clean coil spring to remove all coarse dirt and mount on special tools 2 318 833.

WARNING: Coils of coil spring must be located completely in recesses of special tools 2 318 833!

Compress coil spring until stress on piston rod is relieved.

Fig 2: Compressing Coil Spring

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IMPORTANT: Do not turn the piston rod but simply hold it.
Failure to comply with this instruction causes piston rod breakage.

Release nut with special tool 2 304 586 while holding with ring spanner.

Remove plate and support bearing with spring pad.

Remove shock absorber with auxiliary damper and spring pad from tensioned coil spring.

Fig 3: Releasing Nut Using Special Tool (2 304 586)

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Impact screwdrivers are prohibited!

Risk of damage inside the shock absorber!

If necessary, remove auxiliary damper (1) with protective tube and spring pad (2) from shock absorber.

Fig 4: Identifying Auxiliary Spring And Spring Pad

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Replacing coil spring:

Relieve tension on coil spring and remove from special tools 2 318 833.

Fig 5: Relieving Tension On Coil Spring Using Special Tool (2 318 833)

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Assembly:

WARNING: Do not compress coil spring to full extent.
Coils of coil spring must be located completely in recesses of special tools 2 318 833!

Tension coil spring.

Fig 6: Relieving Tension On Coil Spring Using Special Tool (2 318 833)

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Check auxiliary spring (1) with protective tube and spring pad (2) for damage, and replace if necessary.

IMPORTANT: Coat contact surface of spring pad (2) to shock absorber with Circo Light or similar.

Fig 7: Identifying Auxiliary Spring And Spring Pad

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Attach support cup to piston rod.

Insert shock absorber in tensioned coil spring.

Fig 8: Inserting Shock Absorber In Tensioned Coil Spring

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Check support bearing for damage, replace if necessary.

Attach support bearing and plate to piston rod.

IMPORTANT: To simplify installation of the spring strut in the vehicle, align the support bearing with the shock absorber!

Arrow (1) on the support bearing must be centered on the damper eye.

Fig 9: Identifying Arrow On Support Bearing

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IMPORTANT: Do not turn the piston rod but simply hold it.
Failure to comply with this instruction causes piston rod breakage.

Replace nut!

Tighten with special tool 2 304 586 while holding piston rod with ring spanner.

Tightening torque 33 52 2AZ .

Impact screwdrivers are prohibited!

Risk of damage inside the shock absorber!

Fig 10: Removing Nut Using Special Tool (2 304 586)

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IMPORTANT: Align support bearing by way of spring pad to end of coil spring.

Fig 11: Aligning Support Bearing With End Of Coil Spring

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IMPORTANT: Lower end of coil spring must rest on stop of spring pad!

Relieve tension on coil spring.

Fig 12: Identifying Lower End Of Coil Spring

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Installation note:

Secure upper spring strut in body.
Align shock absorber eye to swivel bearing by turning shock absorber.