51 21 090 Removing and installing/replacing door lock in left or right front door

WARNING: This page is about a different car, the 2013 BMW X5 M, 2012 BMW X5 M, 2011 BMW X5 M, and 2010 BMW X5 M. However, it is still accessible from the selected car via links, so may be relevant.

Special tools required:

51 2 190

Necessary preliminary tasks:

Remove rear section of POWER WINDOW .

Driver's side only:

Remove COVER ON OUTER DOOR HANDLE .

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

If necessary, release cable clip on door lock (2).

Installation note:

Bowden cable must be correctly engaged in locators in door lock (2).

Bowden cable must be laid without kinks in bend to door lock (2).

Seal (4) must be correctly fitted on Bowden cable.

IMPORTANT: Door cannot be opened if Bowden cable (1) is incorrectly laid.

Fig 1: Disconnecting Bowden Cable From Door Lock

Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.

Unclip locking rod (1).

Unlock and disconnect plug connection (2) at tabs (3).

Fig 2: Identifying Locking Rod, Plug Connection And Tabs

Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.

Version with Automatic Soft Close system:

Disconnect plug connection (1).

Unfasten screws (2).

Fig 3: Identifying Plug Connection And Screws

Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.

IMPORTANT: Do not damage door lock seal when removing.

Release screws (1).

Remove door lock (2) from inside.

IMPORTANT: To avoid leaking and electrical malfunction:
Pull door lock (2) with special tool into corner (3), refer to illustrations R51381 and R51594.

Fig 4: Identifying Door Lock, Corner And Screws

Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.

Installation note:

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

Adapter switching socket (4) must be correctly engaged.

Door wiring harness must be correctly laid in guide (2).

Fig 5: Locating Door Lock Gasket

Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.

Installation note:

Version with Automatic Soft Close system:

Make sure Soft Close Automatic drive (1) is installed in correct installation position. Control line (3) must not be twisted around Bowden cable (2).

Make sure control line (3) is correctly laid in guides (4).

Fig 6: Identifying Soft Close Automatic Drive, Bowden Cable, Control Line And Guides

Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.

Installation note:

Install door lock and insert screws (1), do not tighten down.
Slide special tool 51 2 190 into opened rotary striker until striker engages in first stage

Fig 7: Sliding Special Tool (51 2 190) Into Opened Rotary Striker
Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.

Installation note:

Pre-tension 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 panel (water ingress).

Fig 8: Pre-Tensioning Door Lock With Knurled Screw Using Special Tool (51 2 190)

Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.

Tighten down door lock screws, tightening torque 51 21 1AZ .