31 31 031 Replacing Front Left Or Right Spring Strut Shock Absorber (Vehicles From 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. See Figure.

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. See Figure.

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

There must be two spring coils 31 3 355 between the spring retainers.

Fig 1: Spring Coils Between Spring Retainers

Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.

End of spring (1) must point vertically upwards.

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 with special tool 31 2 210.

Fig 2: Releasing Nut

Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.

Grip piston rod with wrench.

Remove spring strut shock absorber.

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. See Figure.

NOTE: If a new coil spring is fitted, observe the following:

There must be two spring coils 31 3 355 between the spring retainers.

Fig 3: Fitting New Coil Spring

Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.

End of spring (1) at lower end must point vertically upwards.

Make sure that spring pad is fitted as shown in pos. (1) on spring plate.

Fig 4: Fitting Spring Pad

Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.

End of spring (2) must be positioned as shown on spring pad.

Check whether protective sleeve (2) and auxiliary spring (1) are properly fitted on shock absorber. See Figure.

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. See Figure.

Firmly tighten self-locking nut. Grip piston rod with wrench.

Installation:

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

Release coil spring completely.