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

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

Special tools required:

31 2 210
31 3 340
31 3 341
31 3 351

WARNING: Prior to each use of the special tool 31 3 340, it is essential to read the associated tool manual.
All the safety precautions and instructions contained in the manual 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

Removing:

Clamp special tool 31 3 341 with guide (1) in vice.

Fit special tools 31 3 351 from above on special tool 31 3 341 until locking pins (2) can be felt and heard to snap into place.

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

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

Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.

WARNING: Coils of coil spring must be located completely in recesses of special tools 31 3 351 when tensioned!
Compress coil spring until stress on piston rod is relieved.

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

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

Compress coil spring until stress on piston rod is relieved.

Fig 2: Identifying Coil Spring With Special Tool (31 3 351)

Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.

WARNING: Nut may only be released when the upper and lower coils of the coil spring are located completely in the recess of the spring holder!

Take off cap.

Release nut with special tool 31 2 210; if necessary, grip piston rod with wrench.

Fig 3: Identifying Special Tool (31 2 210) And Nut

Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.

Remove support bearing (1), shim and upper spring cup (2).

Remove spring strut (3) with auxiliary damper and protective tube sideways from tensioned coil spring.

Fig 4: Identifying Spring Strut, Shim And Upper Spring Cup

Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.

Remove auxiliary damper (1) with protective tube (2) and lower spring pad (3) from shock absorber.

Assembly:

Check auxiliary damper (1), protective tube (2) and lower spring pad (3) for damage, replace if necessary.

Attach lower spring pad (3) to spring plate.

Attach auxiliary damper (1) with protective tube (2) to piston rod.

Fig 5: Identifying Auxiliary Damper, Protective Tube And Screws

Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.

NOTE: Make sure rubber knob (2) is correctly positioned in spring cup bore.

1 = Lower spring pad

Fig 6: Identifying Rubber Knob

Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.

Insert spring strut (3) in tensioned coil spring.

Check upper spring pad for damage, replace if necessary.

Connect upper spring cup (2), shim and support bearing (1) to piston rod.

Fig 7: Identifying Upper Spring Cup And Spring Strut

Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.

NOTE: Mount shim (1) and dust sleeve (2) correctly between support bearing and upper spring cup.

Fig 8: Identifying Shim And Dust Sleeve

Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.

Replace nut, screw onto piston rod and tighten down with special tool 31 2 210 .

Tightening torque 31 31 2AZ .

Fit cover cap.

Fig 9: Identifying Special Tool (31 2 210) And Nut

Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.

NOTE: End of coil spring (2) at top must rest on indentation in upper spring cup and spring pad.
Check installation position of protective tube (1), correct if necessary.

Fig 10: Identifying Coil Spring And Protective Tube

Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.

NOTE: End of lower coil spring (1) must rest on stop of spring pad (2).

Fig 11: Identifying Lower Coil Spring And Spring Pad

Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.

Align all components correctly to each other and relieve tension on coil spring.

Fig 12: Align Components To Each Other And Relieve Tension On Coil Spring

Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.

After installation:

Carry out wheel alignment check if a spring strut with support bearing was or has been installed without centering pin.
See STEERING AND WHEEL ALIGNMENT - REPAIR INSTRUCTIONS -- CLUBMAN