37 12 092 Replacing rear left or right spring strut (528i, 528xi, 528i xDrive, 535d, 535d xDrive, 535i, 535xi, 535i xDrive, 550i, 550xi, 550i xDrive)

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Special tools required:

31 3 340 . See 0493555 313340 SPRING TENSIONER MINIMUM SET: MECHANICAL TOOLS AM or 2213022 313340 SPRING TENSIONER MECHANICAL TOOL
31 3 341
31 3 351 . See 0493561 313351 HOLDER AM or 2213024 313351 TOOL MECHANICAL TOOL
33 0 040

WARNING: Prior to each use of special tool 31 3 340 . See 0493555 313340 SPRING TENSIONER MINIMUM SET: MECHANICAL TOOLS AM or 2213022 313340 SPRING TENSIONER MECHANICAL TOOL , it is essential to read the associated Owner's Handbook fully!
All the safety precautions 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 REAR SPRING STRUT SHOCK ABSORBER

Removing:

Clamp special tool 31 3 341 in vice.

Fit special tools 31 3 351 . See 0493561 313351 HOLDER AM or 2213024 313351 TOOL MECHANICAL TOOL from above on special tool 31 3 341 until retaining bolt (1) can be felt and heard to snap into place.

Fig 1: Identifying Special Tool (31 3 341) And (31 3 351)

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Clean coil spring to remove all coarse dirt and mount on special tools 31 3 351 . See 0493561 313351 HOLDER AM or 2213024 313351 TOOL MECHANICAL TOOL .

WARNING: Coils of coil spring must be located completely in recesses of special tools 31 3 351 . See 0493561 313351 HOLDER AM or 2213024 313351 TOOL MECHANICAL TOOL !

Compress coil spring until stress on piston rod is relieved.

Fig 2: Compressing Coil Spring

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Release nut with special tool 33 0 040 .

Remove plate and support bearing with spring pad.

Remove shock absorber with support cup, auxiliary damper, protective tube and spring pad sideways from tensioned coil spring.

Impact screwdrivers are prohibited!

Risk of damage inside the shock absorber!

Fig 3: Removing Nut Using Special Tool (33 0 040)

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If necessary, remove support cup, auxiliary spring (1) with protective tube and spring pad (2) from shock absorber.

Fig 4: Identifying Spring Pad From Shock Absorber

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Relieve tension on coil spring and remove from special tools 31 3 351 . See 0493561 313351 HOLDER AM or 2213024 313351 TOOL MECHANICAL TOOL .

Fig 5: Identifying Special Tools (31 3 351)

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Assembly:

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 . See 0493561 313351 HOLDER AM or 2213024 313351 TOOL MECHANICAL TOOL !

Tension coil spring.

Fig 6: Identifying Special Tools (31 3 351)

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

IMPORTANT: Coat contact surface of spring pad (2) to shock absorber with Circo Light.

Fig 7: Identifying Spring Pad From Shock Absorber

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Attach support cup to piston rod.

Insert shock absorber in tensioned coil spring.

Fig 8: Inserting Shock Absorber In Tensioned Coil Spring

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Check support bearing for damage, replace if necessary.

Attach support bearing and plate to piston rod.

IMPORTANT: Align support bearing with the shock absorber!
Arrow (1) on the support bearing must point to the control unit (2).

Fig 9: Aligning Support Bearing

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Replace nut and tighten down with special tool 33 0 040 .

Tightening torque 33 52 2AZ .

Impact screwdrivers are prohibited!

Risk of damage inside the shock absorber!

Fig 10: Removing Nut Using Special Tool (33 0 040)

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IMPORTANT: Align support bearing by way of spring pad to end of coil spring.

Fig 11: Identifying Support Bearing Alignment With End Of Coil Spring

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IMPORTANT: Lower end of coil spring must rest on stop of spring pad!

Relieve tension on coil spring.

Fig 12: Identifying Coil Spring Installing Position In Lower Spring Pad

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Installation note:

Secure upper spring strut in body.
Align shock absorber eye to swivel bearing by turning shock absorber.
Code spring strut with ISID tester and check software version