41 14 020 Replacing Front Left Wheel Arch

Note the special vehicle identification number procedure when replacing the front right wheel arch (order the new body part with the vehicle identification number, if necessary)!

These instructions are only applicable the first time the wheel arch is replaced! Repeated replacement is only permitted after consultation with and release by BMW. Should you have any questions, please contact the country-specific Hotline.

If the wheel arch has not yet been replaced, this can be recognised from the punch rivets (1) fitted at the factory.

If replacing the wheel arch, replace the punch rivets with blind rivets (2).

Fig 1: Identifying Punch And Blind Rivets

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Observe procedure for repair stage 3. See 41 00 REPAIR TECHNIQUES, REPAIR STAGE 3 .

Read contents of 41 00... 0 CONTENTS OF BODY, GENERAL .

Strip down vehicle. See 41 14 021 STRIPPING OPERATIONS - REPLACING FRONT LEFT WHEEL ARCH  or 41 14 030 STRIPPING OPERATIONS - REPLACING FRONT RIGHT WHEEL ARCH .

Steel-aluminum composite construction is applied in this vehicle. Observe specific procedure. See 41 00... OPENING BONDED CONNECTIONS  and 41 00... BONDING ALUMINUM ON STEEL .

Spot-weld bonding is used on this vehicle. Observe specific procedure. See 41 00... SPOT-WELD BONDING STEEL COMPONENTS .

Use only approved spot-welding apparatus for repairs. See 41 00... WORKSHOP EQUIPMENT (BMW AND MINI VEHICLES) .

Place vehicle on straightening bench.

Following new body parts are required (refer to 41 00... OVERVIEW OF CONSUMABLES ):

• (1) Wheel arch, front
• (2) Connection, side frame
• (3) Support, A-pillar

Following consumables are required:

Fig 2: Identifying Front Wheel Arch, A-Pillar Support And Side Frame Connection

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Removing the wheel arch 

Open welded connections in area (1).

Fig 3: Identifying Engine Support Welded Connections Area

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Open welded connections in area (1).

Fig 4: Identifying Engine Support Welded Connections Area

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Open spot-welded adhesive joints in area (1). See 41 00... OPENING BONDED CONNECTIONS .

Open welded connections in areas (2).

Roughly cut side frame connection along lines (3).

Release the side frame connection from the cavity sealing (4) and remove.

Fig 5: Identifying Spot-Welded Adhesive Joints Areas

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Open welded connections in area (1).

Remove cavity sealing (2).

Fig 6: Identifying Cavity Sealing And Welded Connections Area

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Drill out rivet connections in area (1).

Open bonded connection in area (1).

Fig 7: Identifying Bonded Connection Area

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Open welded connections in area (1).

Fig 8: Identifying Engine Support Welded Connections Area

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Drill out rivet connections in areas (1) and (2).

Open bonded connections in areas (1) and (2).

Remove the wheel arch.

Fig 9: Identifying Bonded Connections Areas

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New part preparation 

Adjust new parts to fit with alignment bracket or universal mount and secure.

Transfer the hole pattern in these areas (1) from the engine support to the spring support. See 41 00... CARRYING OVER HOLE PATTERN .

Transfer Ø 6.8 mm riveting holes from the engine support to the spring support in this area (2).

Fig 10: Identifying Engine Support Rivet Connections Areas

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Fig 11: Identifying Engine Support Rivet Positions

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Additional rivet positions are required for strength reasons.

(1) = Additional rivet positions (black, number 6)

(2) = Previous rivet positions (grey, number 15)

Drill additional riveting holes (1) (Ø 6.8 mm) according to the schematic diagram.

Transfer the riveting holes Ø 6, 8 mm from the partition wall of the units compartment to the spring support in this area (2).

Fig 12: Identifying Bonded Connection Area

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Clean bonding surfaces with cleaning agent R1.

Installing the wheel arch 

Clean bonding surfaces with cleaning agent R1.

Apply adhesive K1 to bonding surfaces.

Install new parts using an alignment bracket or universal mount.

Using blind rivets, rivet new parts in the areas where the rivets are fitted with adhesive N2.

Apply sealant to cavity sealing for the carrier support of the wheel arch. See 41 00... INSTALLING CAVITY SEALING (EXPANDED) .

Weld new parts identically to the series in the other gap areas.

MAG-weld new part in area (1).

To do so, apply 2 fillet welds at distance of approx. 20 mm. Length of fillet welds approx. 10 mm.

Fig 13: Identifying MAG-Weld Part Area

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MAG-weld new part in areas (1).

To do so, apply 10 mm long fillet welds at spacing of 15 mm.

Fig 14: Identifying MAG-Weld Part Areas

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Fig 15: Identifying Bulkhead Cross Member

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