51 71 345 Removing and installing/replacing left (or right) suspension crossbrace

WARNING: This page is about a different car, the 2011 BMW M3, 2010 BMW M3, 2009 BMW M3, and 2008 BMW M3. However, it is still accessible from the selected car via links, so may be relevant.

IMPORTANT: Driving without the suspension cross-brace is not permitted. (Risk of damage to the body).
Suspension cross-brace screws must be tightened to torque and then tightened down with special tool 009120 .

Necessary preliminary tasks

Remove lower section of microfilter housing . See 6431062 REMOVING AND INSTALLING/REPLACING LEFT LOWER MICROFILTER HOUSING SECTION or 6431063 REMOVING AND INSTALLING/REPLACING RIGHT LOWER MICROFILTER HOUSING SECTION

NOTE: The operation is described on the left side; proceed in the same way for the right side.

Release screw (1).

Release nuts (2) and remove suspension crossbrace (3).

Installation:

Make sure suspension cross-brace (3) is in correct installation position.

Replace screw (1) and nuts (2).

Tighten down screw (1) and nuts (2) to torque and then to angle of rotation using special tool 009120 .

Tightening torque for screw (1) 51 71 18AZ .

Tightening torque for nuts (2) 51 71 19AZ .

Fig 1: Identifying Suspension Cross Brace With Mounting Nuts

Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.