33 31 000 Removing and installing complete rear axle support

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:

WARNING: Danger of injury!
Failure to comply with the following instructions may result in the vehicle slipping off the vehicle hoist and critically injuring other persons.
Load the luggage compartment with a minimum of 100 kg before lowering/removing the rear axle support.
This prevents the vehicle from tilting or sliding off the vehicle hoist!
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 vehicle hoist.

Attention !

Before lowering/removing rear axle support:

Observe SAFETY INFORMATION for raising the vehicle

In order to avoid damage to vehicle hoist, perform weight compensation on vehicle.

Necessary preliminary work:

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.
Remove BOTH REAR COIL SPRINGS .

NOTE: Screw the shock absorbers onto the trailing arm after removal of the coil springs.

Removal:

Release gaiter on parking brake lever.

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

Fig 1: Locating Adjusting Fixture For Parking Brake Bowden Cable

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

NOTE: The pedal support may only be released when the brake lines are reconnected.
This prevents brake fluid from emerging from the expansion tank and air from entering the system when the brake lines are opened.

Fig 2: Securing Brake Pedal With Pedal Support

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Remove heat shield (1).

Fig 3: Heat Shield

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

Fig 4: 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 5: Inserting Offset Ring Spanner Into Open End Of Left Parking Brake Bowden Cable

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Only for rear ride height sensor:

Disconnect connector (1).

Fig 6: Locating Rear Ride Height Sensor Connector

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Release hollow nut (2).

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

Fig 7: Brake Hose And Hollow Nut

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Disconnect left and right plug connections (1) of the pulse sensor.

To do so, partly release the wheel arch panels.

Disengage cable from holders (2).

Fig 8: Plug Connection And Holders

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Right side only:

Detach the brake pad wear sensor from the brackets (2) as an additional measure.

Disconnect plug connection (1).

Fig 9: Plug Connection And Sensor Brackets

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

Fig 10: Supporting Rear Axle Support With Workshop Jack

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

Fig 11: Rear Axle Support And Screws

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Lower rear axle support.

Lower workshop jack and place to one side.

Engage special tool 31 5 251 with a 2nd person helping completely on workshop jack 00 2 030 .

Insert special tools 31 5 255 in telescopic supports of a profile rail pair.

Insert special tools 31 5 253 in telescopic supports of other profile rail pair.

NOTE: In a profile rail pair, two profile rails are connected to one another by gearing.

Align special tools 31 2 251 , 31 2 253 and 31 2 255 with rear axle support.

Support rear axle support by operating workshop jack 00 2 030 .

Fig 12: Identifying Special Tools

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Secure the trailing arm (rear axle support) on the special tool 31 5 251 using tensioning straps (1).

Fig 13: Securing Trailing Arm On Special Tool Using Tensioning Straps

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Release left and right shock absorber (2) from trailing arm by unscrewing screw (1).

Fig 14: Shock Absorber And Screw

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Release screws (2) on left and right trailing arm bearing support (1) on the body.

Lower rear axle support.

Fig 15: Trailing Arm Bearing Support Screws

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Installation:

Position rear axle support on vehicle.

Fig 16: Securing Trailing Arm On Special Tool Using Tensioning Straps

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Tighten screws (2) on left and right trailing arm bearing support (1).

Fig 17: Trailing Arm Bearing Support Screws

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Replace screws.

Tightening torque 33 32 5AZ .

Position left and right shock absorber (2) on trailing arm.

Tighten screw (1).

Tightening torque 33 52 1AZ .

Release tensioning straps.

Fig 18: Shock Absorber And Screw

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Lower workshop jack 00 2 030 with special tool 31 5 251 and place to one side.

Lift rear axle support (1) by means of workshop jack (2).

Fig 19: Supporting Rear Axle Support With Workshop Jack

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Tighten screws (1) on rear axle support (2).

Tightening torque 33 31 1AZ .

Fig 20: Rear Axle Support And Screws

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Attach brake pad wear sensor in the brackets (2).

Connect plug connection (1).

Fig 21: Plug Connection And Holders

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Attach brake pad wear sensor in the brackets (2).

Connect plug connection (1).

Press down barbs in direction of arrow.

Fig 22: Plug Connection And Sensor Brackets

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

Attention !

Barbs (3) must all be locked.

Fig 23: 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 24: Inserting Left Parking Brake Bowden Cable Into Connector

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Align brake hose (1).

Tighten down hollow nut (2).

Tightening torque 34 32 1AZ .

Fig 25: Brake Hose And Hollow Nut

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Only for rear ride height sensor:

Insert connector (1) on ride height sensor.

Fig 26: Locating Rear Ride Height Sensor Connector

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Install heat shield (1).

Fig 27: Heat Shield

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Release pedal support.

Fig 28: Securing Brake Pedal With Pedal Support

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Required follow-up work:

Bleed BRAKE SYSTEM .
Adjust PARKING BRAKE .
Carry out wheel alignment procedure. Refer to ALIGNMENT CHECK WITH VEHICLE LOAD UP TO DESIGN POSITION or ALIGNMENT CHECK WITH RIDE HEIGHT MEASUREMENT WITHOUT VEHICLE LOAD .