33 31 011 Replacing rear axle support (640i, 640i xDrive, 650i, 650xi)

WARNING: This page does not describe the selected car, but rather 33 other vehicles, including the 2018 BMW M6, 2018 BMW 650i xDrive, 2018 BMW 650i, 2018 BMW 640i xDrive, and 2018 BMW 640i. However, it is still accessible from the selected car via links, so may be relevant.

WARNING: Danger of injury!
Failure to comply with the following instructions may result in the vehicle slipping off the lifting platform and critically injuring other persons.
Load the luggage compartment with a minimum of 100 kg before lowering/removing the rear axle support. This prevents the vehicle from tilting or sliding off the vehicle hoist!
When supporting components, make sure that:

the vehicle can no longer be raised or lowered
the vehicle does not lift off the locating plates on the vehicle hoist.

IMPORTANT: Before lowering/removing rear axle support:
Observe SAFETY INFORMATION for raising the vehicle
In order to avoid damage to vehicle hoist, perform weight compensation on vehicle.

Necessary preliminary tasks:

Remove REAR AXLE FINAL DRIVE .
Remove REAR AXLE SUPPORT .

Remove Anti-Roll Bar. See REMOVING/INSTALLING/REPLACING REAR ANTI-ROLL BAR , REMOVING/INSTALLING/REPLACING REAR ACTIVE ANTI-ROLL BAR , or REMOVING/INSTALLING/REPLACING REAR ANTI-ROLL BAR (M6) .

If necessary, remove PRESSURE LINE FOR ARS .

Remove RIDE HEIGHT SENSOR (S) .

Fig 1: Identifying Anti-Roll Bar And Ride Height Sensor

G06889854

Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.

Remove both SWINGING ARMS ON REAR AXLE SUPPORT .

Remove both WISHBONES ON REAR AXLE SUPPORT .

Remove both TOE ARMS ON REAR AXLE SUPPORT .

Remove both wheel carriers with output shaft, swinging arm and handlebars.

If necessary, remove INTEGRAL ACTIVE STEERING .

Fig 2: Identifying Wishbones And Swinging Arms

G06889855

Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.

Take the rear axle support off the special tool with a helper and set onto a suitable support.

Installation note:

Use previous rear axle support as a template for modifying or replacing small parts.

Fig 3: Identifying Rear Axle Support Template

G06889856

Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.

After installation:

Carry out wheel alignment procedure. See ALIGNMENT CHECK WITH VEHICLE LOAD UP TO DESIGN POSITION or ALIGNMENT CHECK WITH RIDE HEIGHT MEASUREMENT (WITHOUT VEHICLE LOAD) .
Carry out RIDE HEIGHT ADJUSTMENT .
Additionally on vehicles with ARS:
Perform start-up of ARS. See 37 10 001 INITIAL OPERATION WITH TEST RUN OF DYNAMIC DRIVE or 37 10 001 START-UP WITH TEST RUN OF DYNAMIC DRIVE (EPS STEERING GEAR)
Check line connections for leak tightness