3121090 Replacing left/right swivel bearing

Necessary preliminary tasks 

• Remove front brake disc  See 3411220 REMOVING AND INSTALLING/REPLACING BOTH FRONT BRAKE DISCS (BREMBO) or 3411220 REMOVING AND INSTALLING OR REPLACING BOTH FRONT BRAKE DISCS
• Remove FRONT PULSE SENSOR FROM SWIVEL BEARING

If necessary, remove jointed rod of ride height sensor from wishbone.

Fig 1: Locating Jointed Rod Of Ride-Height Sensor

Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.

Slacken WISHBONE BOLT CONNECTION ON FRONT AXLE SUPPORT  in order to prevent wishbone rubber mount from being overelongated.

Remove WISHBONE FROM SWIVEL BEARING  .

Remove TRACK ROD END FROM SWIVEL BEARING .

Remove TRAILING LINK FROM SWIVEL BEARING 

Support swivel bearing with workshop jack and a suitable mounting.

Release nut (1), remove holder (2) and remove screw.

Installation: 

Screw head must point in direction of travel.

Replace self-locking nut.

Tightening torque 31 31 3AZ .

Fig 2: Removing Holder

Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.

Expand swivel bearing with special tool 312 230 SOCKET .

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: Expanding Swivel Bearing Using Special Tool 31 2 230

Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.

Installation: 

Expand swivel bearing with special tool 312 230 SOCKET , align by way of gap to positioning pins (1) on back of spring strut and raise up to stop.

Fig 4: Aligning Positioning Pin On Rear Of Spring Using Special Tool 31 2 230

Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.

Installation: 

Make sure swivel bearing contacts stop (1) correctly.

Fig 5: Identifying Swivel Bearing Contacts

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Replacement 

• Modify wheel bearing  See 3121180 REMOVING AND INSTALLING/REPLACING BEARING FOR FRONT WHEEL  or replace if necessary
• Modify BRAKE ANCHOR PLATE/BRAKE GUARD PLATE

After installation 

• Perform chassis alignment check  See 3200150 KDS CHASSIS/WHEEL ALIGNMENT CHECK WITH VEHICLE LOAD UP TO DESIGN POSITION or 3200155 KDS CHASSIS/WHEEL ALIGNMENT CHECK WITH RIDE HEIGHT MEASUREMENT WITHOUT VEHICLE LOAD
• Carry out steering angle sensor adjustment/adjustment for active front steering  See 6131996 CARRYING OUT STEERING ANGLE SENSOR ADJUSTMENT or 3210005 ADJUSTMENT FOR ACTIVE FRONT STEERING