51 12 742 Replacing one shock absorber for rear bumper

Release expansion rivets (1) and remove tray (2).

Installation: 

1. If necessary, remove luggage compartment wheel arch trim on left. See 51 71 041 Removing and installing/replacing rear left or right wheel arch cover 

Fig 1: Removing Luggage Compartment Wheel Arch Trim On Left

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Version with battery in luggage compartment:

Turn rotary clips (1) through 90°.

Feed shelf (2) out of luggage compartment wheel arch trim (3).

Fig 2: Feeding Shelf Out Of Luggage Compartment Wheel Arch Trim

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Unclip cover (1) on left and right.

Fig 3: Uncliping Cover On Left And Right

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Release nuts (1) on inside and remove shock absorber.

Fig 4: Releasing Nuts On Inside And Remove Shock Absorber

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Installation: 

Tightening Torque, refer to 51 12 3AZ in BODY EQUIPMENT - TIGHTENING TORQUES - 325I, CI & XI - E46 .

Installation: 

1. Mount seal (2) on shock absorber (1).
2. Fit protective cap (3) to right shock absorber (1).

Fig 5: Fitting Protective Cap To Right Shock Absorber

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Installation: 

1. If necessary, fit a new gasket (1) and a new cover (2) to shock absorber (3).

Fig 6: Fitting New Gasket And A New Cover To Shock Absorber

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Adjusting bumper: 

Ideal adjustment:

Distance (A) must be the same all around between the bumper and body cutout.

Distance (A) = 2^+0.8/-0.5 mm.

Fig 7: Measuring Distance (A)

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