31 31 031 Replacing front left or right spring strut shock absorber

WARNING: This page is about a different car, the 2011 BMW X6 and 2010 BMW X6. However, it is still accessible from the selected car via links, so may be relevant.

Special tools required:

IMPORTANT:

When replacing shock absorber/spring strut, renew auxiliary damper.

NOTE: Support bearing flange can only be mounted on spring strut dome in one position.

Version with Vertical Dynamics Management:

IMPORTANT: Handle the spring strut with care so as to avoid damaging the control unit (1) and control valve (2).

Fig 1: Identifying Control Unit And Control Valve

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WARNING: Before using the special tool 31 3 340 take care to read through the Owner's Handbook!
All the safety information and instructions contained in the Owner's Handbook must be strictly observed!
Failure to observe these safety precautions and instructions increases the risk of serious physical injury, damage to your health and damage to property and equipment!

IMPORTANT:

Prior to each use, check the special tools for defects, modifications and operational reliability.
Damaged/modified special tools must not be used!
No changes or modifications may be made to the special tools!
These special tools are intended solely for the purpose of tightening and relieving cylindrical and tapered suspension springs.
Keep special tools dry, clean and (down to the spindle) free from grease.
Impact screwdrivers are prohibited!
Do not compress coil spring to full extent.

Necessary preliminary tasks:

Remove FRONT SPRING STRUT .

IMPORTANT: E70 Security only:
Special tool 31 3 341 must be used in conjunction with special tool 31 3 351

Fig 2: Fitting Special Tool (31 3 341) And (31 3 351) With Retaining Bolt

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Removing

Clamp special tool 31 3 341 in vice.

Fit special tool 31 3 351 and 31 3 353 from above on special tool 31 3 341 until retaining bolt (1) can be felt and heard to snap into place.

Check seating of special tools 31 3 351 and 31 3 353 , correct if necessary.

Fig 3: Fitting Special Tool (31 3 351) And (31 3 353) On Special Tool (31 3 341) With Retaining Bolt

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Clean coil spring to remove all coarse dirt and mount on special tools 31 3 351 and 31 3 353 .

Turn spring strut until end of coil spring (1) points upwards.

Fig 4: Mounting Coil Spring On Special Tools (31 3 351) And (31 3 353)

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WARNING: Coils of coil spring must be located completely in recesses of special tools 31 3 351 and 31 3 353 !

Compress coil spring until stress on piston rod is relieved.

Fig 5: Compressing Coil Spring Using Special Tools (31 3 351) And (31 3 353)

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Slacken nut (1).

Remove joint seat (2), support bearing upper section (3) and support bearing flange (4).

Fig 6: Identifying Joint Seat, Bearing Upper Section, Bearing Flange And Nut

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Remove support cup (1) and protective tube (2).

Fig 7: Identifying Support Cup And Protective Tube

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Relieve tension on coil spring.

Remove coil spring with shock absorber from special tools 31 3 351 and 31 3 353 .

Remove shock absorber from coil spring.

Fig 8: Removing Coil Spring With Shock Absorber From Special Tools (31 3 351) And (31 3 353)

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If necessary, remove auxiliary damper (1) and spring pad (2) from shock absorber.

Installation

Check auxiliary damper (1) and spring pad (2) for damage, replace if necessary.

NOTE: Make sure spring pad (2) is correctly seated in spring cup.

Fig 9: Identifying Auxiliary Damper And Spring Pad

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Check spring pad (1), support bearing lower section (2), protective tube (3) and support bearing upper section (4) for damage, replace if necessary.

NOTE: Align spring pad (1) by means of coding to support bearing flange (5).

Fig 10: Identifying Spring Pad, Bearing Lower Section, Protective Tube, Bearing Flange And Bearing Upper Section

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Insert shock absorber into coil spring.

Accommodate coil spring and spring strut with special tools 31 3 351 and 31 3 353 .

NOTE: End of coil spring (1) must point upwards.

Fig 11: Accommodating Coil Spring And Spring Strut With Special Tools (31 3 351) And (31 3 353)

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WARNING: Do not compress coil spring to full extent.
Coils of coil spring must be located completely in recesses of special tools 31 3 351 and 31 3 353 !

Tension coil spring until support bearing flange can be mounted.

Fig 12: Compressing Coil Spring Using Special Tools (31 3 351) And (31 3 353)

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Attach support cup (1) and protective tube (2) to piston rod.

Fig 13: Identifying Support Cup And Protective Tube

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Left spring strut only:

IMPORTANT: Stud bolt (1) above recess (2) must point in direction of travel (F)!
Coding (3) of spring pad must be seated in recess (2) opposite stud bolt (1)!
Version with Vertical Dynamics Management:
Stud bolt (4) must be flush with positioning pin (5)!

Fig 14: Identifying Spring Pad Coding Seated In Recess Opposite Stud Bolt (Left Spring Strut Only)

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Right spring strut only:

IMPORTANT: Stud bolt (1) above recess (2) must point in direction of travel (F)!
Coding (3) of spring pad must be seated in recess (2) below stud bolt (1)!
Version with Vertical Dynamics Management:
Stud bolt (4) must be flush with positioning pin (5)!

Fig 15: Identifying Spring Pad Coding Seated In Recess Opposite Stud Bolt (Right Spring Strut Only)

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Attach support bearing flange (1) to piston rod.

Align support bearing upper section (3) as illustrated and attach to inner section (2) of support bearing flange (1).

NOTE: Pay attention to edge (4) shown in graphic.

Fig 16: Identifying Support Bearing Flange, Support Bearing Upper Section, Inner Section And Edge

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Attach flexible disc (1) to piston rod.

Replace nut (2) and tighten down (gripping piston rod in so doing).

Tightening torque 31 31 2AZ .

Fig 17: Identifying Flexible Disc And Nut

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IMPORTANT: Align support bearing flange (1) and shock absorber (3) by means of spring pads to coil spring ends.

Relieve tension on coil spring.

Check installation position of protective tube (2), correct if necessary.

Fig 18: Aligning Support Bearing Flange And Shock Absorber

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After fitting on version with Vertical Dynamics Management

Code spring strut with DIS Tester and check software version
Carry out VERTICAL ACCELERATION SENSOR ADJUSTMENT .