Remove gas pressure spring for tailgate

Preliminary work 

• Refer to REMOVING LUGGAGE COMPARTMENT FLOOR COVERING .
• Refer to IF INSTALLED: REMOVING EMERGENCY WHEEL .
• Refer to REMOVING THE LOADING EDGE TRIM .
• Refer to REMOVING LUGGAGE COMPARTMENT WHEEL ARCH TRIM PANEL ON LEFT .

• Disassemble ball sockets.

  Observe disassembly sequence: 

  1. Push clamp (1)  in the direction of the arrow with a screwdriver.
  2. Lift the ball socket (2)  off of the ball hub.
  3. Push back the clamp (1)  .
• Remove the spindle drive (3)  .

Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.