33 31 000 Removing and Installing Complete Rear Axle Carrier

WARNING: This page does not describe the selected car, but rather 6 other vehicles, including the 2008 BMW 335xi, 2008 BMW 328xi, 2007 BMW 335xi, 2007 BMW 328xi, and 2006 BMW 330xi. However, it is still accessible from the selected car via links, so may be relevant.

Special tools required:

00 2 040
33 3 274
33 4 491
33 4 492

Necessary preliminary tasks:

Remove rear wheels. See 36 10 300 REMOVING OR INSTALLING FRONT OR REAR WHEEL
Remove propeller shaft. See 26 11 000 REMOVING AND INSTALLING PROPELLER SHAFT (CARDAN UNIVERSAL JOINT) COMPLETELY
Remove both rear coil springs. See 33 53 000 REMOVING AND INSTALLING/REPLACING REAR LEFT OR RIGHT COIL SPRING
Remove pulse generator on both sides from wheel carrier, unclip line from control arm and rear axle carrier. See 34 52 535 REPLACING A REAR PULSE GENERATOR
Disconnect plug connection from brake pad sensor, unclip line from control arm and rear axle carrier. See 34 35 001 REPLACING A BRAKE LINING SENSOR
Disconnect plug connection from ride-height sensor and unclip line from rear axle carrier
Disengage handbrake cable on both sides from expander lock and then remove from hanging hooks. See 34 41 120 REMOVING AND INSTALLING OR REPLACING BOTH HANDBRAKE BOWDEN CABLES
Remove shock absorber on both sides from camber arm rubber mount. See 33 52 000 REMOVING AND INSTALLING/REPLACING REAR LEFT OR RIGHT SHOCK ABSORBER

Press clutch pedal down to floor and secure with pedal support.

IMPORTANT: To prevent brake fluid from escaping from the expansion tank when the brake lines are opened, do not remove the pedal support until the brake lines have been reconnected.

Fig 1: Locating Clutch Pedal To Floor & Pedal Support

Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.

Position an oil tray underneath to catch brake fluid.

Release banjo bolts (1), gripping brake hoses (2) at square head in the process.

Disconnect brake hoses (2) and seal off with plugs.

Installation:

Make sure brake hoses are laid without tension and with sufficient spacing to adjoining components.

Tightening torque 34 32 1AZ.

Fig 2: Identifying Banjo Bolts & Brake Hoses

Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.

WARNING:

Danger of injury!

Failure to comply with the following instructions may result in the vehicle slipping off the lifting platform and critically injuring other persons.

When supporting components, make sure that

the vehicle can no longer be raised or lowered
the vehicle does not lift off the locating plates on the lift platform

Insert special tools 33 4 491 and 33 4 492 into corresponding receptacle of special tool 00 2 040.

Align special tool 00 2 040 BASIC TAKE-UP FIXTURE to rear axle carrier.

If necessary, lower special tool 33 3 274.

Support rear axle carrier by raising special tool 00 2 040 BASIC TAKE-UP FIXTURE

Fig 3: Identifying Special Tool (00 2 040), (33 3 274) & (33 4 491)

Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.

Remove tension struts.

Release screws (1) and swivel/remove stop plates (2) to one side.

Lower rear axle completely.

Installation:

Check threads for damage; if necessary, repair with Heli-coil thread inserts. See 33 00 ... NOTES ON REPAIRING THREADS

First install tension struts and then tighten down bolts (1).

Tightening torque 33 33 1AZ. See 33 33 REAR AXLE SUSPENSION

Fig 4: Identifying Stop Plate & Screw

Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.

After installation:

Bleed braking system. See 34 00 050 BLEEDING BRAKE SYSTEM WITH DSC
Adjusting handbrake. See 34 10 014 ADJUSTING HANDBRAKE

IMPORTANT: If the pedal support is removed or slips before the brake lines are connected, it will be necessary to bleed the brake system at front and rear!