33 31 000 Removing And Installing Complete Rear Axle Carrier

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Special tools required:

00 2 040
33 3 274
33 4 227
33 4 228

IMPORTANT: Adhere to the utmost cleanliness. Do not allow any dirt to enter the hydraulic system.
Seal off pipe connections with plugs.

Necessary preliminary tasks:

Version with ride-height control: Deactivate and drain air spring system . See 37 00 100 DRAINING/FILLING AIR SPRING SYSTEM .
Remove brake disc on both sides . See 34 21 320 REMOVING AND INSTALLING OR REPLACING BOTH REAR BRAKE DISCS .
Disconnect parking brake Bowden cable on both sides from expander lock
Remove propeller shaft from rear differential and tie back or remove completely, if necessary. See 26 11 000 REMOVING AND INSTALLING COMPLETE PROPELLER SHAFT .
Remove hose from fuel filler pipe and seal.
Detach plug connection for pulse generator on both sides and expose line up to control arm
Detach plug connection for brake pad wear sensor on right and expose line up to control arm
If necessary, disconnect plug connections at ride-height sensors
Remove spring strut shock absorber/air spring strut on both sides from wheel carrier. See 33 52 100 REMOVING AND INSTALLING REAR LEFT OR RIGHT SPRING STRUT SHOCK ABSORBER or 37 12 070 REMOVING AND INSTALLING/REPLACING REAR LEFT OR RIGHT AIR SPRING STRUT .

Insert special tools 33 4 227 and 33 4 228 into corresponding mountings of special tool 00 2 040.

Fig 1: Identifying Special Tool (33 4 228), (33 4 227) And (00 2 040)

Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.

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.

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

Align special tool 00 2 040 to rear axle carrier.

If necessary, lower special tool 33 3 274.

Support rear axle carrier by raising special tool 00 2 040.

Fig 2: Identifying Special Tool (33 4 228), (33 4 227) And (00 2 040)

Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.

Version with Dynamic Drive: Disconnect pressure lines at point of separation II and seal with plugs. See 37 13 110 REMOVING AND INSTALLING/REPLACING PRESSURE LINE FOR OSCILLATING MOTOR/REAR AXLE .

Remove tension strut on both sides with heat shield . See 33 33 001 REPLACING LEFT OR RIGHT REAR AXLE CARRIER TENSION STRUT .

Remove wheel arch cover on both sides from stop disc.

Release bolts (1), stop plates (2) and damping discs at bottom.

Lower rear axle carrier.

Installation:

Check threads for damage; if necessary, repair with Heli-coil thread inserts.

First install tension struts and then tighten down bolts (1). See 33 33 001 REPLACING LEFT OR RIGHT REAR AXLE CARRIER TENSION STRUT .

Tightening torque 33 33 3AZ . See REAR AXLE - TIGHTENING TORQUES .

Fig 3: Identifying Tension Struts

Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.

After installation:

Version with ride-height control:
- Activate and fill air suspension system . See 37 00 100 DRAINING/FILLING AIR SPRING SYSTEM .
Version with Dynamic Drive:
- Fill and bleed hydraulic system . See 32 13 006 BLEEDING POWER STEERING (VERSION WITH DYNAMIC DRIVE) or 32 13 006 BLEEDING POWER STEERING UNIT .
- Check pipe connections for leaks
- If necessary, carry out initial Dynamic Drive operation . See 37 10 001 INITIAL OPERATION WITH TEST RUN OF DYNAMIC DRIVE .
Adjusting parking brake . See 34 41 006 ADJUSTING PARKING BRAKE .