31 11 506 Lowering/raising front axle carrier (special tool SWZ00-2040)

WARNING: This page is about a different variant/trim than selected.

Special tools required:

00 2 030
00 2 040 .
31 4 051
31 4 090 .

WARNING: Danger to life!
Mount securing fixture for vehicle on lifting platform to prevent the vehicle from slipping off or tilting down.

Necessary preliminary tasks:

Remove front wheels .
If necessary, remove underbody protection. See 51 47 490 REMOVING AND INSTALLING/REPLACING FRONT ASSEMBLY UNDERBODY PROTECTION .
Remove complete exhaust system . See EXHAUST SYSTEM, COMPLETE .
Remove bumper trim . See 51 11 156 REMOVING AND INSTALLING FRONT BUMPER TRIM .
Remove wheel arch cover on bumper brackets on left and right . See 51 71 040 REMOVING AND INSTALLING/REPLACING FRONT LEFT OR RIGHT WHEEL ARCH COVER .
If necessary, disconnect plug connection on ride-height sensor and expose line up to engine carrier

IMPORTANT: If the steering spindle is separated from the steering gear, this can result in damage to the steering column switch cluster when the steering wheel is turned!

Release screw (1).

Detach lower section of steering spindle (2) from steering gear and swing towards rear.

Installation:

Clean thread to remove all remnants of screw securing adhesive.

Replace screw.

Fig 1: Detaching Lower Section Of Steering Spindle

Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.

Tightening torque. See 32 31 2AZ .

IMPORTANT: Make sure when lowering the front axle that the lines are not damaged.

Disconnect plug connections (1) on steering gear.

Fig 2: Identifying Plug Connections

Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.

IMPORTANT: Make sure when lowering the front axle that the lead of the pulse generator is not damaged.

Disengage lead (1) of pulse generator on left and right from holder on front axle carrier.

Fig 3: Identifying Lead Of Pulse Generator On Left And Right

Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.

Release screws (1) and remove stabilizer link (2).

Installation:

First mount front axle carrier on engine carrier and then tighten down screws (1).

Tightening torque. See 22 11 6AZ .

Fig 4: Identifying Stabilizer Link And Screws

Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.

Release screws (1) on bumper holder on left.

Installation:

Tightening torque. See 51 11 4AZ .

Fig 5: Identifying Bumper Holder And Screws

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Release screws (1) on bumper holder on right.

Installation:

Tightening torque. See 51 11 4AZ .

IMPORTANT: Make sure when lowering the front axle that the line is not damaged.

Unclip cable holder (2).

Cut open cable tie (3).

Installation:

Replace cable tie.

Fig 6: Identifying Cable Tie And Cable Holder

Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.

WARNING: Risk of injury!
Failure to comply with the following instructions may result in the vehicle slipping off the lifting platform and critically injuring other persons.
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 lifting platform

If necessary, position special tool 00 2 040 with a 2nd person helping on workshop jack 00 2 030 .

Insert special tools 31 4 051 and 31 4 090 into corresponding mountings of special tool 00 2 040 .

Lower special tool 33 3 274.

IMPORTANT: Journals of special tool 31 4 090 must be inserted completely into bores of front axle carrier!

Align special tools 31 4 051 and 31 4 090 to front axle carrier.

Support front axle carrier by operating workshop jack 00 2 030 .

Fig 7: Positioning Special Tool

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Release screws (1 to 3).

Installation:

Check threads for damage; if necessary, repair with Helicoil thread inserts .

Make sure screws are installed in correct positions.

Screws (1) M12x85
Tightening torque 31 11 1AZ .
Replace screws (2) N10x60.
Tightening torque 31 11 5AZ .
Screws (3) M12x62
Tightening torque 31 11 2AZ .

Fig 8: Identifying Front Axle Screws Location
Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.

IMPORTANT: When lowering the front axle carrier, it is absolutely essential to make sure that the control head (1) of the electric steering gear (EPS) does not collide in area (2) with the bulkhead!
Collision with the bulkhead may result in damage to the electric steering gear (EPS)!

Fig 9: Identifying Control Head Of Electric Steering Gear (EPS)

Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.

IMPORTANT: When lowering and raising, make sure there is freedom of movement between front axle carrier, transmission and A/C lines.

Lower front axle carrier max. to dimension (A) = 120 mm.

Fig 10: Identifying Lower Front Axle Carrier Dimension

Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.

IMPORTANT: Seal (1) of electric steering gear (EPS) must always be replaced.

Fig 11: Identifying Seal Of Electric Steering Gear (EPS)

Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.

After installation:

Version with Dynamic Stability Control (DSC): Carry out steering angle sensor adjustment . See 61 31 996 CARRY OUT STEERING ANGLE SENSOR ADJUSTMENT .

NOTE: Only cars with DSC are fitted with a steering angle sensor (integrated in the steering column switch cluster).