33 32 064 Removing and installing/replacing left or right swinging arm

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.

NOTE: If the swinging arm is detached from the integral link/wheel carrier or rear axle support, it is necessary after reinstallation to carry out a wheel/chassis alignment check.

Necessary preliminary tasks:

Remove REAR WHEEL
Deactivate and empty AIR SPRING SYSTEM
Remove ANTI-ROLL BAR LINK FROM SWINGING ARM

Release expanding rivets (1).

Remove cover (2) from rear axle carrier.

Mark position of eccentric screw (3) to rear axle carrier.

Installation:

Replace faulty expander rivets.

Make sure cover is correctly positioned.

Fig 1: Locating Eccentric Screw

G04794616

Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.

Slacken nut (1).

Remove jointed rod (2) from swinging arm.

Installation:

Sensor lever (3) must point from ride-height sensor to respective rear wheel.

Replace self-locking nut.

Tightening torque 37 14 6AZ .

Fig 2: Identifying Sensor Lever And Slacken Nut

G04794617

Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.

Support wheel carrier with workshop jack.

Release nuts (1, 2) and remove screw (3).

Remove rear SHOCK ABSORBER FROM SWINGING ARM .

Fig 3: Identifying Support Wheel Carrier And Nuts

G04794618

Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.

Slacken nut (1).

Remove bolt (2) towards rear.

Installation:

Replace self-locking nut.

Tightening torque 33 32 3AZ .

Fig 4: Identifying Slacken Nut And Bolt

G04794619

Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.

Release nut (1), remove eccentric washer (2) and pull out eccentric screw (3) towards front.

Installation:

Note insertion direction of eccentric screw.

Align eccentric bolt to rear axle support by means of marking.

Refit eccentric washer.

Replace self-locking nut.

Tighten bolt connection in NORMAL POSITION .

Tightening torque 33 32 2AZ .

Fig 5: Identifying Eccentric Screw, Washer And Nut

G04794620

Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.

Release screw (4) and remove locking nut (5).

Installation:

Replace locking nut.

Tighten bolt connection in NORMAL POSITION .

Tightening torque 33 32 1AZ .

After installation:

Check that output shaft is correctly seated in rear differential.
Activate and fill AIR SUSPENSION SYSTEM
Carry out RIDE-HEIGHT CALIBRATION
Perform chassis alignment check . See 32 00 150 KDS WHEEL ALIGNMENT WITH VEHICLE LOAD UP TO DESIGN POSITION or 32 00 155 KDS CHASSIS/WHEEL ALIGNMENT CHECK WITH RIDE HEIGHT MEASUREMENT WITHOUT VEHICLE LOAD