31 31 031 Replacing Front Left Or Right Spring Strut Shock Absorber (Vehicles Up To 03/2002)

WARNING: This page does not describe the selected car, but rather 7 other vehicles, including the 2008 MINI Cooper, 2007 MINI Cooper, 2006 MINI Cooper, 2005 MINI Cooper, and 2004 MINI Cooper. However, it is still accessible from the selected car via links, so may be relevant.

NOTE: Numbers and letters in text refer to numbers and letters in figures.

When a spring strut shock absorber is replaced, a spring strut shock absorber with the same identification marking must be installed.

Necessary preliminary tasks:

Remove complete front spring strut. Refer to 31 31 000 REMOVING AND INSTALLING FRONT LEFT OR RIGHT SPRING STRUT .

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

Fig 1: Assembling Special Tool

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Slide special tools 31 3 355 with protective inserts into each housing over taper of special tool 31 3 341.

Lock pins (2) must be heard and felt to lock in position.

WARNING: Every time before using, check that the special tools are fully operative. Do not use special tools which are damaged. No changes or modifications may be made to the special tools. Use only suitable spring seats. Special tool 31 3 341 is intended exclusively for tensioning and relieving BMW/MINI suspension springs. Do not use an impact screwdriver for tensioning/relieving. Keep protective pads free of oil and grease. Disregard of the above requirements can considerably increase the risk of injury!

Spring seats must be fitted from the chamfered side of special tool 31 3 341.

Fig 2: Chamfered Side

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The lock pins must be heard and felt to lock in position. Check fit of spring seats.

There must be three spring coils (1) between the spring retainers.

Fig 3: Spring Coil In Spring Retainer

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The end of the spring must be located under the end of spring retainer (2) as illustrated. Spring coil (3) must lie completely in recess (4) when the spring is tensioned in the spring retainer.

Tension coil spring until strain is removed from support bearing.

WARNING: The spring coil must lie completely in the recess when the spring is tensioned in the spring retainer. Special tool 31 3 341 must not be tensioned or released with an impact wrench! The coils may not be tensioned on a block. Only tension the coil springs until stress on the support bearing is relieved. The nut may only be released when the spring coil is resting completely in the recess of the spring holder! Repeat tensioning procedure if necessary.

Release nut while locking piston rod with ring spanner - remove shock absorber.

Fig 4: Removing Shock Absorber

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Installation:

Replace self-locking nut. Tightening torque, 64 Nm.

Installation:

Before fitting support bearing, make sure that shim (1) and washer (2) are fitted as shown.

Fig 5: Fitting Shim & Washer

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NOTE: Follow Notes 1 and 2 If a new coil spring is installed.

Note 1:

Release special tool 31 3 341 and remove coil spring.

The special tool must not be tightened or released with an impact wrench.

Note 2:

There must be three spring coils (1) between the spring retainers.

The end of the spring must be located under the end of spring retainer (2) as illustrated. Spring coil (3) must lie completely in recess (4) when the spring is tensioned in the spring retainer. See Fig 3.

Check spring pad and replace if necessary. Make sure pad (1) fits over tongue (2) on the lower spring seat.

Fig 6: Spring Pad

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Check protective sleeve and replace if necessary.

During installation make sure that the tabs (1) fit correctly over the trim.

Fig 7: Fitting Tabs

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Insert spring strut into coil spring. Mount protective sleeve, auxiliary spring and upper spring seat.

Fig 8: Fitting Protective Sleeve & Auxiliary Spring

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Screw self-locking nut back onto piston rod.

Release coil spring until it is fully resting on lower spring plate.

The end (1) of the coil spring must be aligned correctly at the rubber seal (2) of the spring seat.

Fig 9: Aligning End Of Coil Spring

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Firmly tighten self-locking nut. Use spanner to lock piston rod in position if necessary.

Installation:

Replace self-locking nut. Tightening torque, 64 Nm.

Release coil spring completely.