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31 31 031 Replacing Front Left Or Right Spring Strut Shock Absorber

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: 

IMPORTANT:
  • When replacing shock absorber/spring strut, renew auxiliary damper!
NOTE: Support bearing flange can only be mounted on spring strut dome in one position.

Version with Vertical Dynamics Management: 

IMPORTANT: Handle the spring strut with care so as to avoid damaging the control unit (1) and control valve (2).
Fig 1: Control Unit And Valve
G04794342Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.
WARNING: Before using the special tool 31 3 340  . See 313340 SPRING TENSIONER or 2213022 313340 SPRING TENSIONER MECHANICAL TOOL take care to read through the Owner's Handbook!
All the safety information 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:
  1. Prior to each use, check the special tools for defects, modifications and operational reliability.
  2. Damaged/modified special tools must not be used!
  3. No changes or modifications may be made to the special tools!
  4. These special tools are intended solely for the purpose of tightening and relieving cylindrical and tapered suspension springs.
  5. Keep special tools dry, clean and (down to the spindle) free from grease.
  6. Impact screwdrivers are prohibited!

    Risk of damage inside the shock absorber! 

  7. Do not compress coil spring to full extent.

Necessary preliminary tasks: 

IMPORTANT: E70 Security only:

Special tool 31 3 341 must be used in conjunction with special tool 31 3 351  . See 313351 HOLDER or 313351 TOOL MECHANICAL TOOL

Fig 2: Special Tool 31 3 341
G06211365Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.

Removing: 

Clamp special tool 31 3 341 in vice.

Fit special tool 31 3 351  . See 313351 HOLDER or 313351 TOOL MECHANICAL TOOL and 31 3 353  . See 313353 HOLDER or 2213029 313353 TOOL MECHANICAL TOOL from above on special tool 31 3 341 until retaining bolt (1) can be felt and heard to snap into place.

Check seating of special tools 31 3 351  . See 313351 HOLDER or 313351 TOOL MECHANICAL TOOL and 31 3 353  . See 313353 HOLDER or 2213029 313353 TOOL MECHANICAL TOOL , correct if necessary.

Fig 3: Removing Retaining Bolt
G04794343Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.

Clean coil spring to remove all coarse dirt and mount on special tools 31 3 351  . See 313351 HOLDER or 313351 TOOL MECHANICAL TOOL and 31 3 353  . See 313353 HOLDER or 2213029 313353 TOOL MECHANICAL TOOL .

Turn spring strut until end of coil spring (1) points upwards.

Fig 4: Removing Coil Spring
G04794344Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.
WARNING: Coils of coil spring must be located completely in recesses of special tools 31 3 351  . See 313351 HOLDER or 313351 TOOL MECHANICAL TOOL and 31 3 353  . See 313353 HOLDER or 2213029 313353 TOOL MECHANICAL TOOL !

Compress coil spring until stress on piston rod is relieved.

Fig 5: Compressing Coil Spring
G04794345Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.

Slacken nut (1).

Remove joint seat (2), support bearing upper section (3) and support bearing flange (4).

Fig 6: Nut, Joint Seat And Support Bearing Flange
G04794346Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.

Impact screwdrivers are prohibited!

Risk of damage inside the shock absorber! 

Remove support cup (1) and protective tube (2).

Fig 7: Support Cup And Protective Tube
G04794347Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.

Relieve tension on coil spring.

Remove coil spring with shock absorber from special tools 31 3 351  . See 313351 HOLDER or 313351 TOOL MECHANICAL TOOL and 31 3 353  . See 313353 HOLDER or 2213029 313353 TOOL MECHANICAL TOOL .

Remove shock absorber from coil spring.

Fig 8: Removing Coil Spring
G04794348Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.

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

Assembly: 

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

NOTE: Make sure spring pad (2) is correctly seated in spring cup.
Fig 9: Auxiliary Damper And Spring Pad
G04794349Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.

Check spring pad (1), support bearing lower section (2), protective tube (3) and support bearing upper section (4) for damage, replace if necessary.

NOTE: Align spring pad (1) by means of coding to support bearing flange (5).
Fig 10: Spring Pad, Support Bearing Lower Section And Protective Tube
G04794350Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.

Insert shock absorber into coil spring.

Accommodate coil spring and spring strut with special tools 31 3 351  . See 313351 HOLDER or 313351 TOOL MECHANICAL TOOL and 31 3 353  . See 313353 HOLDER or 2213029 313353 TOOL MECHANICAL TOOL .

NOTE: End of coil spring (1) must point upwards.
Fig 11: Inserting Shock Absorber Into Coil Spring
G04794351Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.
WARNING: Do not compress coil spring to full extent.
Coils of coil spring must be located completely in recesses of special tools 31 3 351  . See 313351 HOLDER or 313351 TOOL MECHANICAL TOOL and 31 3 353  . See 313353 HOLDER or 2213029 313353 TOOL MECHANICAL TOOL !

Tension coil spring until support bearing flange can be mounted.

Fig 12: Compressing Coil Spring Using Tool
G04794352Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.

Attach support cup (1) and protective tube (2) to piston rod.

Fig 13: Support Cup And Protective Tube
G04794347Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.

Left spring strut only: 

IMPORTANT: Stud bolt (1) above recess (2) must point in direction of travel (F)!
Coding (3) of spring pad must be seated in recess (2) opposite stud bolt (1)!
Version with Vertical Dynamics Management: 
Stud bolt (4) must be flush with positioning pin (5)!
Fig 14: Stud Bolt, Spring Pad And Pin (Left)
G06211377Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.

Right spring strut only: 

IMPORTANT: Stud bolt (1) above recess (2) must point in direction of travel (F)!
Coding (3) of spring pad must be seated in recess (2) below stud bolt (1)!
Version with Vertical Dynamics Management: 
Stud bolt (4) must be flush with positioning pin (5)!
Fig 15: Stud Bolt, Spring Pad And Pin (Right)
G06211378Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.

Attach support bearing flange (1) to piston rod.

Align support bearing upper section (3) as illustrated and attach to inner section (2) of support bearing flange (1).

NOTE: Pay attention to edge (4) shown in graphic.
Fig 16: Attaching Support Bearing Flange To Piston Rod
G04794355Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.

Attach flexible disc (1) to piston rod.

Replace nut (2) and tighten down (whilst counter supporting piston rod).

Tightening torque 31 31 2AZ .

Fig 17: Flexible Disc And Nut
G04794356Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.

Impact screwdrivers are prohibited!

Risk of damage inside the shock absorber! 

IMPORTANT: Align support bearing flange (1) and shock absorber (3) by means of spring pads to coil spring ends.

Relieve tension on coil spring.

Check installation position of protective tube (2), correct if necessary.

Fig 18: Aligning Support Bearing Flange And Shock Absorber
G04794357Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.

After installation with Vertical Dynamics Management: 

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