31 21 090 Replacing left / right swivel bearing

Special tools required: 

• 31 2 230

Necessary preliminary tasks: 

• Remove front brake disc. See 11 FRONT BRAKE .
• Remove front pulse generator from swivel bearing. See 34 52 525 REPLACING ONE FRONT PULSE GENERATOR .

If necessary, remove jointed rod of ride-height sensor from control arm.

Fig 1: Locating Jointed Rod Of Ride-Height Sensor

Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.

Slacken control arm bolt connection on front axle support  in order to prevent control arm rubber mount from being damaged.

Remove control arm from swivel bearing .

Remove tie rod end from swivel bearing. See 32 21 151 REPLACING LEFT OR RIGHT TIE ROD .

Remove trailing link from swivel bearing 

Support swivel bearing with workshop jack and a suitable mounting.

Release nut (1) and remove holder (2) for pulse generator and if necessary brake pad sensor.

Pull out bolt towards front.

Installation: 

Note insertion direction of screw.

Replace self-locking nut.

Tightening torque, see 31 31 3AZ in 31 31 SPRING STRUTS .

Fig 2: Removing Nut And Holder

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Spread swivel bearing with special tool 31 2 230.

Lower workshop jack and remove swivel bearing.

Installation: 

Keep press fit of swivel gearing and spring strut in lower area clean and free from oil and grease.

Fig 3: Identifying Special Tool 31 2 230

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Expand swivel bearing with special tool 31 2 230, align by way of gap to positioning pins (1) on back of spring strut and raise as far as it will go.

Fig 4: Identifying Special Tool 31 2 230 And Positioning Pins

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Installation: 

Make sure swivel bearing contacts stop (1) correctly.

Fig 5: Identifying Bearing Contacts Stop

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Replacement: 

Modify or if necessary replace wheel bearing .

Modify brake carrier/brake guard plate. See 34 11 250 REMOVING AND INSTALLING / REPLACING A BRAKE CARRIER / BRAKE GUARD PLATE AT FRONT .

After installation: 

• Perform chassis alignment check. See 32 00 150 KDS CHASSIS/WHEEL ALIGNMENT CHECK WITH LOAD UP TO DESIGN POSITION or 32 00 155 KDS CHASSIS/WHEEL ALIGNMENT CHECK WITH RIDE-HEIGHT MEASUREMENT WITHOUT LOAD .
• Carry out steering angle sensor adjustment/adjustment for active front steering. See 61 31 996 CARRY OUT STEERING ANGLE SENSOR ADJUSTMENT or 32 10 005 ADJUSTMENT FOR ACTIVE FRONT STEERING .