33 52 131 Replacing rear left or right spring strut shock absorber

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Special tools required:

31 3 340
31 3 341
31 3 353
33 0 040

WARNING: Before using the special tool 31 3 340 take care to read through the Owner's Handbook!
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.

IMPORTANT:

When replacing the spring strut, replace the auxiliary damper as well!

Necessary preliminary tasks:

Remove REAR SPRING STRUT SHOCK ABSORBER UNIT .

Removing:

Clamp special tool 31 3 341 in vice.

Place special tools 31 3 353 . See 0493567 313353 HOLDER or 2213029 313353 TOOL MECHANICAL TOOL from top on special tool 31 3 341 . Retaining bolts (1) must be felt and heard snapping into place.

Fig 1: Placing Special Tools 31 3 353 From Top On Special Tool 31 3 341

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Clean coil spring to remove all coarse dirt and mount on special tools 31 3 353 . See 0493567 313353 HOLDER or 2213029 313353 TOOL MECHANICAL TOOL .

WARNING: Coils of coil spring must be located completely in recesses of special tools 31 3 353!
Compress coil spring until stress on piston rod is relieved.

Fig 2: Compressing Coil Spring Using Special Tools 31 3 353

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Release nut with special tool 33 0 040.

Remove spring pad with dust boot.

Remove shock absorber with auxiliary damper, protective tube and lower spring pad sideways from tensioned coil spring.

Impact screwdrivers are prohibited!

Risk of damage inside the shock absorber!

Fig 3: Removing Nut Using Special Tool (33 0 040)

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

Fig 4: Identifying Auxiliary Damper With Protective Tube And Spring Pad

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Relieve tension on coil spring and remove from special tools 31 3 353.

Fig 5: Relieving Tension On Coil Spring

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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 31 3 353!
Tension coil spring.

Fig 6: Compressing Coil Spring Using Special Tools 31 3 353

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

Fig 7: Identifying Auxiliary Spring With Protective Tube And Spring Pad

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Insert spring strut into tensioned coil spring.

Fig 8: Inserting Shock Absorber In Tensioned Coil Spring

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

Fig 9: Identifying Lower End Of Coil Spring

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Check support bearing (1) and spring pad (2) for damage, replace if necessary.

IMPORTANT: The arrows on support bearing (1) and spring pad (2) must be aligned.

Fig 10: Identifying Support Bearing And Spring Pad

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Mount support bearing and spring pad on piston rod.

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

Fig 11: Aligning Support Bearing And Spring Pad To End Of Coil Spring

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IMPORTANT: The marks (1) must be aligned with the hole in rubber mount (2).

Fig 12: Identifying Marks With Hole In Rubber Mount

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Replace nut and tighten down with special tool 33 0 040 .

Tightening torque 33 52 2AZ .

Relieve tension on coil spring.

Impact screwdrivers are prohibited!

Risk of damage inside the shock absorber!

Fig 13: Tightening Nut With Special Tool 33 0 040

Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.