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 31 2 230 .

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: Removing Swivel Bearing Using Special Tool (31 2 230)

Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.

Installation: 

Expand swivel bearing with special tool 31 2 230 , align by way of gap to positioning pins (1) on back of spring strut and raise up to stop.

Fig 4: Expanding Swivel Bearing 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 Stop

Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.