51 21 090 Removing and installing/replacing door lock in left or right front door

WARNING: This page does not describe the selected car, but rather 12 other vehicles, including the 2008 BMW 335xi, 2008 BMW 335i, 2008 BMW 328xi, 2008 BMW 328i, and 2007 BMW 335xi. However, it is still accessible from the selected car via links, so may be relevant.

Special tools required:

51 2 190

Necessary preliminary tasks:

Remove rear section of Power Window Unit

Driver's side only:

Remove Lock Cylinder Lock Cylinder

Unclip lock knob control rod (1).

Unlock and disconnect plug connection (2) at lugs (3).

Fig 1: Identifying Lock Knob Control Rod, Plug Connection And Lugs

Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.

Unhook Bowden cable (1) from door lock (2).

If necessary, release cable holder on door lock (2).

Installation:

Bowden cable (1) must be correctly engaged in locators in door lock (2).

Bowden cable (1) must be laid without kinks in bend to door lock (2).

IMPORTANT: Door cannot be opened if Bowden cable (1) is incorrectly laid.

Fig 2: Identifying Bowden Cable And Door Lock

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IMPORTANT: Do not damage door lock seal when removing.

Release screws (1).

Remove door lock (2) from inside.

IMPORTANT: To avoid leaking and electrical malfunction:

Pull door lock (2) with special tool into corner (3), refer to illustrations Fig 6 and Fig 7.

Fig 3: Identifying Door Lock, Corner And Screws

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Installation:

Seal (1) on door lock (2) must not be damaged.

Fig 4: Locating Seal On Door Lock

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E90/E91 driver's side only:

NOTE: Cover (1) protects against water ingress.

In event of problems with frozen door locks/lock cylinders, retrofit cover (1) on door lock (2) if necessary.

Fig 5: Identifying Cover And Door Lock

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Installation:

Install door lock and insert screws (1), do not tighten down.
Slide special tool 51 2 190 into opened rotary latch until latch engages in first stage.

Fig 6: Identifying Special Tool (51 2 190) And Screws
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Installation:

Pretension door lock (1) with knurled screw (2) until special tool 51 2 190 just contacts corner points (3).

IMPORTANT: To tension door lock (1), it is only permitted to turn knurled screw (2) by a further 1 to 1.5 turns (max.) (risk of damage).
Door lock seal must rest uniformly on inner door plate (water ingress).

Fig 7: Identifying Door Lock, Knurled Screw, Contact Corner Points And Special Tool (51 2 190)

Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.

Tighten down door lock screws, for tightening torque refer to 51 21 1AZ in 51 21 FRONT DOOR LOCKS .