51 21 090 Removing and installing/replacing door lock in left or right front door (from 09/00)

A 4 mm WAF Allen key is required for adjustment.

Necessary preliminary tasks: 

• Remove acoustic insulation. See 51 48... Removing and installing/replacing sound insulation in rear door, left or right 

Driver's side only:

• Remove complete lock cylinder

Coupe/Convertible only: 

• Remove rear section of power window

Disconnect plug connection (1) on door lock (2).

Fig 1: Disconnecting Plug Connection On Door Lock

Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.

Lever out Bowden cable (1) from holder (2) with screwdriver.

Unhook Bowden cable nipple (3) from lever (4).

Fig 2: Unhooking Bowden Cable Nipple From Lever

Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.

Release screws (1).

Remove door lock (2) with linkage (3).

Installation: 

Insert linkage for locking knob through opening in inner door plate.

Fig 3: Inserting Linkage For Locking Knob Through Opening In Inner Door Plate

Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.

Do not bend linkage (3).

Replace screws (1).

Tightening torque, refer to 51 21 1AZ in BODY EQUIPMENT - TIGHTENING TORQUES - 325I, CI & XI - E46 .

Installation: 

Left door lock of front door:

Slacken adjusting screw (1) on door lock (2) (turn in counterclockwise direction, as shown in illustration) - this makes the Bowden cable mount (3) movable.

Fig 4: Adjusting Screw On Door Lock

Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.

Coupe/Convertible: 

For the Coupe, the door lock (4) is adapted to the different door geometry.

The illustration shows the left driver's door lock.

Fig 5: Identifying Left Driver'S Door Lock

Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.

The adjusting procedure is identical to that for the Saloon.

1. Bowden cable holder for outside door handle
2. Adjusting screw (4 mm WAF)
   Fig 6: Adjusting Screw

   Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.

Installation: 

Right door lock of front door:

Slacken adjusting screw (1) on door lock (2) (turn in clockwise direction, as shown in illustration) - this makes the Bowden cable mount (3) movable.

Coupe/Convertible: 

Lever out sealing cap (1) for following adjustment.

Fig 7: Adjusting Screw On Door Lock

Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.

Installation: 

After installing lock cylinder (51 21 140) and/or cover (51 21 180), lever out sealing cap (2).

Tighten down adjusting screw (2) on door lock and fit sealing cap (1).

Fig 8: Tightening Down Adjusting Screw On Door Lock And Fit Sealing Cap

Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.

Tightening torque, refer to 51 21 4AZ in BODY EQUIPMENT - TIGHTENING TORQUES - 325I, CI & XI - E46 .

Direction of rotation of adjustment screw (1): 

Checking unlocking of rotary striker lock: 

• Close rotary striker lock (1) with a screwdriver,
• lock car with car key,
• unlock car with car key,
• open rotary striker lock (1) with outside door handle,
• if rotary striker lock (1) opens, then O.K.
• If rotary striker lock (1) fails to open,
• slacken adjustment screw (2) again,
• Retighten adjusting screw (2),
• carry out check again.
  Fig 9: Checking Unlocking Of Rotary Striker Lock

  Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.

Fit sealing cap.

Checking overtravel at outside handle: 

• Close rotary striker lock with a screwdriver,
• open rotary striker lock with outside door handl
• outside door handle (1) must be able to open to measurement (A),
• if measurement (A) is obtained, then O.K.
• if measurement (A) is not obtained, readjust ro lock and carry out overtravel check  ,
• if measurement (A) is still not obtained, you must Bowden cable with carrier.
  Fig 10: Fitting Sealing Cap

  Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.

A At least 2 mm

Only replace:

Lift out lock (1) and detach Bowden cable (2) from fixture (3).

Fig 11: Lifting Out Lock And Detach Bowden Cable From Fixture

Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.

Remove Bowden cable nipple (4) from lever (5).

Fig 12: Mounting Bowden Cable On Inside Door Handle

Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.

Only replace:

Turn linkage for locking knob (1) and detach from lever (2).

Installation: 

Following parts must not be damaged:

1. 1 Mount for paddle of lock barrel (driver's side only)
2. 2 Mount for Bowden cable of outside door handle
3. 3 Mount for Bowden cable of inside door handle

The illustration shows the left driver's door lock on the Saloon.

Fig 13: Mounting For Bowden Cable Of Inside Door Handle

Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.

Installation: 

Following parts must not be damaged:

1. Spring
2. Mount for Bowden cable of inside door handle
3. Mount for linkage of locking knob
4. Mount for paddle of lock barrel (driver's side only)

The illustration shows the left driver's door lock on the Coupe.

Fig 14: Identifying Left Driver'S Door Lock On Coupe

Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.