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 7 other vehicles, including the 2010 BMW X3, 2009 BMW X3, 2008 BMW X3, 2007 BMW X3, and 2006 BMW X3. However, it is still accessible from the selected car via links, so may be relevant.

Special tools required:

51 2 190 DOOR LOCK TENSIONER

Necessary preliminary tasks:

Close door windows
Detach sound insulation in rear area only, see 51 48 060 Removing and installing/replacing sound insulation in left or right front door

Security version:

Remove complete sound insulation

Disconnect Bowden cable at bottom (1) and top (3) from door lock (2).

IMPORTANT: Bowden cable must be correctly located in mounts on door lock (2).
Seal (4) must be correctly positioned on Bowden cable.

NOTE: The operations for "Removing Bowden cable from door lock" end here.

Fig 1: Bowden Cable, Door Lock And Seal

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Unlock plug connection (1) at lugs (2) and detach from door lock (3).

Unclip locking rod (4) from door lock (3).

Fig 2: Plug Connection And Door Lock

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Version with Soft Close Automatic:

Disconnect plug connection (1).

Unfasten cable tie (2).

Release screw (3) and nuts (4).

Tightening torque: 51 21 11AZ, see 51 21 FRONT DOOR LOCKS

Fig 3: Plug Connection, Cable Tie, Screw And Nuts

Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.

IMPORTANT: Do not damage door lock seal during removal.

Release screws (1).

Feed out door lock (2) from inside.

IMPORTANT: To avoid leakage and electrical malfunction:
Pull door lock (2) with special tool into corner (3), see Fig 7 and Fig 8.

Fig 4: Door Lock, Corner And Screw

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Driver's door only:

Installation:

Insert inside door lock (1) correctly into paddle (2) of lock cylinder (3).

Fig 5: Inside Door Lock, Paddle And Lock Cylinder

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Installation:

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

Fig 6: Seal 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 7: Door Lock, Corner And Screw

Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.

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).

Tighten down door lock screws 51 21 1AZ, see 51 21 FRONT DOOR LOCKS

Fig 8: Door Lock, Corner And Screw

Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.

Replacement with Soft Close Automatic:

Release nuts (1) and remove bracket (2).

Tightening torque: 51 21 12AZ, see 51 21 FRONT DOOR LOCKS

Fig 9: Nuts And Bracket

Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.