37 11 032 Replacing the front left or front right spring strut shock absorber (EDC)

WARNING: This page does not describe the selected car, but rather 6 other vehicles, including the 2019 MINI Cooper, 2018 MINI Cooper, 2017 MINI Cooper, 2016 MINI Cooper, and 2015 MINI Cooper. However, it is still accessible from the selected car via links, so may be relevant.

Special tools required:

IMPORTANT:

When replacing shock absorber/spring strut, replace auxiliary damper!

WARNING:

Before using the special tool 31 3 340 take care to read through the manufacturer's instructions.

All the safety precautions and instructions contained 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!

Attention !

Use only the BMW approved special tool!
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!
Risk of damage inside the shock absorber!
Do not compress coil spring to full extent.

Necessary preliminary tasks:

Remove FRONT SPRING STRUT (EDC) .

Removing:

Loosen the nut (2).

Pull out screw (1).

Fig 1: Spreading Swivel Bearing With Special Tool (31 2 230)

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Remove brake hose holder.

Spread swivel bearing with the special tool 31 2 230 .

Lift the spring strut (3) out of the swivel bearing.

Fig 2: Pressure Plate (2 240 516) With Protective Insert (2 364 829)

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Attention !

Risk of damage to the coil spring!

Before application: Check protective insert for wear, replace if necessary.

Use of faulty protective inserts leads to coil spring damage. This can lead to coil spring breakage (corrosion).

Always use the pressure plate 2 240 516 with protective insert 2 364 829 .

Clamp special tool 31 3 341 in vice.

Fit special tool 2 240 516 and 2 240 482 onto special tool 31 3 341 until retaining bolt (1) can be felt and heard to snap into place.

Insert centering ring 2 364 828 into mounting plate 2 240 482 .

Check the seating of the special tools 2 240 516 and 2 240 482 by means of the centering ring 2 364 828 , correct if necessary.

Fig 3: Inserting Centering Ring (2 364 828) Into Mounting Plate (2 240 482)

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Set special tool 31 3 341 to dimension A.

Dimension A: 155 - 160 mm

Fig 4: Setting Special Tool (31 3 341) To Dimension

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Installation of brake on mounting plate:

Place counter support 2 240 486 in the correct position/bore hole:

Screw connection using bore holes 7 and 15

Turn centering ring 2 364 828 until counter support 2 240 486 can be screwed into place at the specified position.

Fig 5: Screwing Counter Support With Mounting Plate And Centering Ring With Screws

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Screw together counter support with mounting plate and the centering ring with screws (1) so they are hand-tight.

Fig 6: Inserting Spring Strut Into Spring Tensioner

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Clean coil spring to remove contamination.

Spring must be free of grease, clean and dry.

Insert spring strut into spring tensioner.

WARNING: The guide pins (1) of the support bearing must fit into the recesses on the centering ring 2 364 828 .
The support bearing must be completely fitted against the centering ring 2 364 828 .
The lower spring coil must be placed completely into the recess of special tool 2 240 516 !

Fig 7: Protective Insert (2 412 607)

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Attention !

Risk of damage to the coil spring!

Before application: Check protective insert for wear, replace if necessary.

Use of faulty protective inserts leads to coil spring damage. This can lead to coil spring breakage (corrosion).

Fig 8: Positioning Spring Strut End Of Spring

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Always use the pressure plate 2 240 487 with protective insert 2 412 607 .

Attach pressure plate 2 240 487 with the screws 2 240 490 !

The gummed side of the pressure plate 2 240 487 must be fitted against the top spring coil.

Position the spring strut such that the end of the spring (1) at the pressure plate 2 240 487 protrudes by 15 mm.

Tighten the screws 2 240 490 evenly at 8 Nm.

Attention !

The pressure plate 2 240 487 must be aligned parallel with the top spring coil (1)!

When the end of the spring begins to twist relative to the pressure plate, tensioning must be stopped immediately.

The pressure plate must be checked for correct seating and the rubber-coated facing and pressure plate also checked for wear.

Fig 9: Pressure Plate (2 240 487)

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Tighten coil spring, until dimension B on special tool 31 3 341 is reached.

Dimension B: 95 - 90 mm

Attention !

Dimension B must not be dropped below!

Fig 10: Checking Dimension On Special Tool (31 3 341)

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Release nut with special tool 2 360 213 , reversible ratchet with extension and socket SW10.

Remove shock absorber from coil spring.

Fig 11: Releasing Nut With Special Tool (2 360 213)

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Remove lower spring pad (1) from shock absorber.

Fig 12: Lower Spring Pad

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Assembly:

Check lower spring pad (1) for damage, replace if necessary.

Attach lower spring pad (1) to spring cup.

NOTE: Make sure the journal (2) is properly positioned in the bore hole of the spring cup.

Fig 13: Lower Spring Pad And Journal

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Check protective tube/upper spring pad (2) for damage, replace if necessary.

Replace the auxiliary damper (3).

Parts: Auxiliary damper

Fig 14: Replacing Auxiliary Damper

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Insert spring strut into tensioned coil spring.

Replace nut.

Parts: Nut

Tighten nut with special tool 2 360 213 , reversible ratchet with extension, socket SW10 and torque wrench with ring spanner insert SW21.

Tightening torque 31 31 2AZ .

Fig 15: Tightening Nut With Special Tool (2 360 213)

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Impact screwdrivers are prohibited!

Risk of damage inside the shock absorber !

Fig 16: Protective Tube Installation Position

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Check installation position of protective tube, correct if necessary.

Fig 17: Lower Coil Spring End On Spring Pad Stop

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

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

Fig 18: Spreading Swivel Bearing With Special Tool (31 2 230)

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Spread swivel bearing with special tool 31 2 230 .

Align the swivel bearing using the gap to the positioning pin on the rear side of the spring strut (3) and push it on as far as it will go.

Position the brake hose holder.

Replace screw (1) and nut (2).

Parts: Bolt and nut

Insert bolt (1).

Tighten nut (2).

Tightening torque 31 31 3AZ .