Replacing The Lower Section Of Tailgate

Preliminary work 

• Refer to REMOVE BATTERY COVER .
• Refer to REMOVING THE LOADING EDGE TRIM .
• Refer to REMOVING TRUNK LID LOCK SWITCH AT BOTTOM .
• Refer to REMOVE BOTTOM TAILGATE TRIM PANEL .
• Refer to REMOVING THE STRIKER FOR THE LEFT OR RIGHT LOWER SECTION OF TAILGATE .
• Refer to REMOVING THE TRUNK LID LOCK FROM THE TRUNK LID .
• Refer to REMOVE SOFT-CLOSE AUTOMATIC DRIVE ON THE TRUNK LID BOTTOM .
• Refer to REMOVING SPINDLE DRIVE OF THE BOTTOM TRUNK LID .

Prerequisite 

New part is painted.

• Disassemble ball socket (2).

  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.

     Position the 3rd Push back the clamp (1).

• Release screws (3) and remove the deflection (4).

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• Release rubber grommet (1) from the tailgate.
• Release the wiring harness (2) at the marked locations (arrows) and thread out of the tailgate.

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  NOTE: Perform the steps on the left and right side.
• Release screw (1) and place support (2) to one side.
• Secure lower section of tailgate against falling down.

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  NOTE: RISK OF DAMAGE 
  Mechanical effects.
  Paint damage.

  • Mask those working areas at risk with yellow plastic adhesive tape.
  • Remove and install heavy or bulky components with the aid of another person/other persons.

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• Release the screws (1) and remove the lower section of tailgate.
• Position new part at the tailgate hinges.
• Tighten down screws (1).
  TIGHTENING TORQUE SPECIFICATIONS
  
  

  Lower section of tailgate to hinge
  Hexagon screw M8
  	tightening torque  19 Nm

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  NOTE: Perform the steps on the left and right side.
• Position support (2) at the lower section of tailgate.
• Tighten down screw (1).
  TIGHTENING TORQUE SPECIFICATIONS
  
  

  Support on lower section of tailgate or body
  M8 screw
  	tightening torque  19 Nm

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• Remount the seal plugs (1) on the new part.

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  NOTE: Perform the steps on the left and right side.
• Release the cover (1) at the clips (2) and remove it.
• Replace missing or damaged clips (2) and insert them into the cover (1).

  Attach the cover (1) with the clips (2) to the new lower section of tailgate.

• Feed the wiring harness into the trunk lid.
• Mount the rubber grommet (1).

  Check the rubber grommet for the correct installation position, (watertightness).

• Fasten wiring harness (2) at marked locations (arrows).

  Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.

  Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.

• Install deflection (1) in the lower section of tailgate.
• Tighten down screws (2).
  TIGHTENING TORQUE SPECIFICATIONS
  
  

  Deflection to lower section of tailgate
  Hexagon screw M8
  	tightening torque  19 Nm

  Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.

• Place ball socket (3) on the ball hub on the tailgate hinge and engage using force.

  Check the clamp (4) is fitted correctly.

Follow-up work 

• Refer to INSTALL THE SPINDLE DRIVE OF THE LOWER TRUNK LID .
• Refer to WHEN REPLACING THE SPINDLE DRIVE .
• Refer to INSTALL DRIVE OF THE SOFT-CLOSE FUNCTION ON THE TAILGATE AT THE BOTTOM .
• Refer to INSTALLING THE TAILGATE LOCK OF THE UPPER TRUNK LID .
• Refer to INSTALL BOTTOM TAILGATE TRIM PANEL .
• Refer to INSTALLING THE BOTTOM TRUNK LID LOCK SWITCH .
• Refer to ADJUSTING THE LOWER SECTION OF TAILGATE .
• Refer to ADJUST THE STRIKER FOR LOWER SECTION OF TAILGATE LEFT OR RIGHT .
• Refer to INSTALLING LOADING EDGE TRIM .
• Refer to INSTALLING THE BATTERY COVER .