31 11 506 Lowering/Raising Front Axle Support (Universal Lifter)

WARNING: This page is about a different car, the 2013 BMW X5, 2012 BMW X5, and 2011 BMW X5. However, it is still accessible from the selected car via links, so may be relevant.

Special tools required:

WARNING: Danger of injury!
Failure to comply with the following instructions may result in the vehicle slipping off the lifting platform and critically injuring other persons.
When supporting components, make sure that:

the vehicle can no longer be raised or lowered
the vehicle does not lift off the locating plates on the vehicle hoist.

IMPORTANT: Before lowering/removing front axle support:
Observe SAFETY INFORMATION for raising the vehicle
In order to avoid damage to vehicle hoist, perform weight compensation on vehicle.
Load spring strut domes with sand bags.

WARNING: Secure engine in installation position with special tool to prevent it from falling down. Refer to 11 00 670 SECURING ENGINE IN INSTALLATION POSITION (N54/N55) or 11 00 670 SECURING ENGINE IN INSTALLATION POSITION (N63) or 11 00 670 SECURING ENGINE IN INSTALLATION POSITION (N63) .
Before lowering the front axle support, it is essential that the steering shaft . See 32 31 070 REMOVING AND INSTALLING/REPLACING LOWER SECTION OF STEERING SHAFT or 32 31 070 REMOVING AND INSTALLING/RENEWING STEERING SPINDLE LOWER SECTION (N63) on the steering box is unfastened!
If this is not carried out, the bulkhead steering shaft bearing will be damaged!

IMPORTANT: N57: Risk of shorting the starter motor!

Necessary preliminary work:

Secure engine in installation position. Refer to 11 00 670 SECURING ENGINE IN INSTALLATION POSITION (N54/N55) or 11 00 670 SECURING ENGINE IN INSTALLATION POSITION (N63) or 11 00 670 SECURING ENGINE IN INSTALLATION POSITION (N63) .
Release steering shaft on steering gear . See 32 31 070 REMOVING AND INSTALLING/REPLACING LOWER SECTION OF STEERING SHAFT or 32 31 070 REMOVING AND INSTALLING/RENEWING STEERING SPINDLE LOWER SECTION (N63) .
Remove FRONT WHEELS .

IMPORTANT: Use special tool to avoid preliminary damage to ball joint in upper wishbone and the associated necessary removal of swivel bearing.

Press plug on left and right out of spring strut dome.

Secure swivel bearing (1) on left and right with special tool 31 4 170 in installation position.

Fig 1: Securing Swivel Bearing

Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.

Remove underbody protection at front and rear . See 51 47 490 REMOVING AND INSTALLING/REPLACING FRONT ASSEMBLY UNDERSIDE PROTECTION or 51 47 491 REMOVING AND INSTALLING/REPLACING REAR UNDERBODY PROTECTION .

Remove steering box cover at top left and right . See 51 71... REMOVING AND INSTALLING/REPLACING TOP RIGHT STEERING BOX COVER or 51 71... REMOVING AND INSTALLING/REPLACING TOP LEFT STEERING BOX COVER .

Remove REINFORCEMENT PLATE .

PARTLY DETACH FRONT LEFT AND RIGHT WHEEL ARCH COVERS (REAR SECTION) AT REAR AREA .

Remove LOWER WISHBONE FROM SPRING STRUT HOLDER .

Version with active steering:

Disconnect plug connection (1) and unclip line (2) from front axle support.

Fig 2: Plug Connection And Line

Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.

Release hydraulic steering hydraulic lines with holder from front axle support.

Version with Dynamic Drive:

release all Dynamic Drive hydraulic lines from front axle support.

Fig 3: Steering Box Mark Position
Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.

IMPORTANT: To avoid the need for axle/wheel alignment, mark position of steering box (1) to front axle support (2).

To do so, draw a wide white stripe on the rear bolting points (left and right) and apply a thin black mark (3) to this stripe.

Release nuts and remove screws (1) towards bottom.

Tightening torque 32 00 1AZ .

Tie up hydraulic steering gear (2).

Installation note:

When installing, make sure that the steering box is realigned to the marks applied to the front axle support prior to removal.

Replace screws and nuts.

Fig 4: Hydraulic Steering Gear And Screws

Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.

Engage special tool 31 5 250 with a 2nd person helping completely on workshop jack 00 2 030 .

Insert special tools 31 5 255 in telescopic supports of a profile rail pair.

Insert special tools 31 5 256 in telescopic supports of other profile rail pair.

NOTE: In a profile rail pair, two profile rails are connected to one another by gearing.

Fig 5: Special Tools Position

Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.

The jacking points on the left side are shown.

Align special tools 31 5 255 and 31 5 256 to front axle support.

Support front axle support by operating workshop jack 00 2 030 .

IMPORTANT: The center of gravity of the front axle must lie in the middle above the workshop jack.

Fig 6: Aligning Special Tools (31 5 255 And 31 5 256) To Front Axle Support

Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.

Release screws (1, 2).

Tightening torque 31 10 1AZ .

Installation note:

Check threads for damage; if necessary, repair with HELICOIL THREAD INSERTS .

Tighten down first screws (1) and then screws (2).

Fig 7: Mounting Screws

Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.

IMPORTANT: Risk of damage!
Follow operations must be carried out during lowering:

Remove heat exchanger from front axle support and tie up. Refer to 17 22 010 REMOVING AND INSTALLING/REPLACING HEAT EXCHANGER FOR AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION (M57T2, N54) or 17 22 010 REMOVING AND INSTALLING/REPLACING GEARBOX OIL COOLER FOR AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION (N63, S63) .
Remove ANTI-ROLL BAR (CONVENTIONAL) FROM FRONT AXLE SUPPORT and tie up.
Remove all hydraulic lines on front axle support or anti-roll bar retaining bracket and tie up.
Version with active steering: Disconnect plug connection and expose connecting line up to hydraulic steering gear.

Lower front axle support by max. 10 cm.