33 31 011 Replacing rear axle support

Necessary preliminary tasks: 

• Remove REAR WHEELS .
• Remove exhaust system. See REMOVING COMPLETE EXHAUST SYSTEM (B36, B38) or REMOVING COMPLETE EXHAUST SYSTEM (B48, B46) .
• Remove TANK COVER on left and right.

Removal: 

Remove heat shield (1).

Fig 1: Heat Shield

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• Remove ALL WISHBONES .

Release gaiter on parking brake lever.

Release adjusting fixture (1) for parking brake Bowden cable.

Fig 2: Locating Adjusting Fixture For Parking Brake Bowden Cable

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Press brake pedal down to floor and secure with pedal support.

This prevents brake fluid from emerging from the expansion tank and air from entering the system when the brake lines are opened.

Fig 3: Securing Brake Pedal With Pedal Support

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Release hollow nut (2).

Detach brake hose (1) on left and right from brake line.

Fig 4: Brake Hose And Hollow Nut

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Unfasten left parking brake Bowden cable (1) in connector (2) in direction of arrow and detach.

Fig 5: Unfastening Left Parking Brake Bowden Cable In Connector

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Feed deep offset ring spanner (1) 9 AF into open end of left parking brake Bowden cable.

Press down barbs in direction of arrow.

Remove parking brake Bowden cable at middle (2) in direction of arrow.

Fig 6: Inserting Offset Ring Spanner Into Open End Of Left Parking Brake Bowden Cable

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Release parking brake Bowden cables (3) on left and right from bracket (1).

Press down retaining lugs (2) and detach parking brake Bowden cable (3).

Fig 7: Bowden Cable, Bracket, And Retaining Lugs

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Only for rear ride height sensor:

Disconnect connector (1).

Release screw (2).

Remove ride height sensor.

Fig 8: Locating Rear Ride Height Sensor Connector And Screw

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Support rear axle support (1) with workshop jack (2).

Fig 9: Supporting Rear Axle Support With Workshop Jack

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Release screws (1) from rear axle support (2).

Lower rear axle support by approx. 10 cm.

Fig 10: Rear Axle Support And Screws

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Release screws (1) from anti-roll bar (2).

Fig 11: Locating Anti-Roll Bar Screws

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Remove rear axle support.

Fig 12: Rear Axle Support

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Installation: 

Remount parking brake Bowden cable holder.

If necessary, remount exhaust system rubber retainer.

Position rear axle support with workshop jack on vehicle.

Fig 13: Rear Axle Support

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Tighten down anti-roll bar (2) with screws (1) on rear axle support.

Tightening torque 33 55 3AZ .

Fig 14: Locating Anti-Roll Bar Screws

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Tighten down rear axle support (2) with screws (1) on vehicle.

Tightening torque 33 31 1AZ .

Lower workshop jack and put away.

Fig 15: Rear Axle Support And Screws

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Only for rear ride height sensor:

Position ride height sensor.

Tighten screw (2).

Tightening torque 37 14 3AZ .

Connect the connector (1).

Fig 16: Locating Rear Ride Height Sensor Connector And Screw

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Attach parking brake Bowden cables (3) on left and right in bracket (1).

Install parking brake Bowden cable (3) in holder.

Retaining lugs (2) must be fully engaged.

Fig 17: Bowden Cable, Bracket, And Retaining Lugs

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Press down barbs in direction of arrow.

Insert parking brake Bowden cable at middle (2) in direction of arrow into holder (2) and lock.

Fig 18: Inserting Parking Brake Bowden Cable Into Holder

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Insert left parking brake Bowden cable (1) into connector (2) in direction of arrow and lock up to stop.

Fig 19: Inserting Left Parking Brake Bowden Cable Into Connector

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Connect brake hose (1) on left and right to brake line.

Tighten down hollow nut (2).

Tightening torque 34 32 1AZ .

Fig 20: Brake Hose And Hollow Nut

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Release pedal support.

Fig 21: Securing Brake Pedal With Pedal Support

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• Install ALL WISHBONES .

Install heat shield (1).

Fig 22: Heat Shield

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Required follow-up work: 

• BLEED BRAKE SYSTEM .
• Perform wheel alignment. Refer to ALIGNMENT CHECK WITH VEHICLE LOAD UP TO DESIGN POSITION or ALIGNMENT CHECK WITH RIDE HEIGHT MEASUREMENT WITHOUT VEHICLE LOAD .
• Adjust PARKING BRAKE .