3131000 Removing and installing complete left or right spring strut shock absorber

WARNING: This page does not describe the selected car, but rather 8 other vehicles, including the 2011 BMW 328i, 2011 BMW 323i, 2010 BMW 335i, 2010 BMW 328i, and 2010 BMW 323i. However, it is still accessible from the selected car via links, so may be relevant.

IMPORTANT: If the centering pin is missing from the support bearing, the position of the studs to the wheel arch must be marked so that the original camber is approximately maintained.
Only one nut may ever be released for marking.

Necessary preliminary tasks

Remove FRONT WHEEL
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 ANTI-ROLL BAR LINK FROM SPRING STRUT
Detach plug connection for pulse generator and expose line up to holder on spring strut
Unplug connector for brake pad wear sensor and expose lead up to brake caliper.

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 SUSPENSION SUBFRAME in order to prevent control arm rubber mount from being damaged.

Remove CONTROL ARM FROM SWIVEL BEARING .

Remove TIE ROD END FROM SWIVEL BEARING .

Remove TRAILING LINK FROM SWIVEL BEARING

WARNING: Risk of injury!
Secure spring strut against falling out.

Centering pin missing: remove TENSION STRUT (ON SPRING STRUT DOME) and mark position of threaded pins to wheel arch.

Release nuts (1) and remove spring strut with swivel bearing towards bottom.

Installation:

Clean contact surface in spring strut dome.

Align spring strut using centering pin to bore in wheel arch or studs to wheel arch and push upwards.

Replace self-locking nuts.

Tightening torque 31 31 1AZ .

Fig 2: Identifying Spring Strut Nuts

Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.

IMPORTANT: Replace faulty sealing washer (1).
Reinstall sealing washer (1) and plate insert (2).

Fig 3: Identifying Sealing Washer And Plate

Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.

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