31 11 506 Lowering/Raising Front Axle Carrier (Special Tool SWZ00-2040)

WARNING: This page is about a different car, the 2010 BMW X5, 2009 BMW X5, 2008 BMW X5, and 2007 BMW X5. However, it is still accessible from the selected car via links, so may be relevant.

Special tools required:

00 2 030
00 2 040
31 4 051
31 4 100
31 4 170

WARNING: Danger to life!
Mount securing fixture for vehicle on lifting platform to prevent the vehicle from slipping off or tilting down. See 51 71 505 MOUNT SECURING FIXTURE FOR VEHICLE ON LIFTING PLATFORM .
Secure engine in installation position to prevent it from falling down. See 11 00 670 SECURING ENGINE IN INSTALLATION POSITION (N52) .

Necessary preliminary tasks:

Mount securing fixture for vehicle on lifting platform. See 51 71 505 MOUNT SECURING FIXTURE FOR VEHICLE ON LIFTING PLATFORM .
Secure engine in installation position
Remove front wheels

IMPORTANT: Use special tool to avoid preliminary damage to ball joint in upper control arm and the necessary removal of the swivel bearing.

Press plug on left and right out of spring strut dome.

Secure swivel bearing (1) on left and right with special tool 31 4 170 in installation position.

Fig 1: Identifying Swivel Bearing And Special Tool (31 4 170)

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Remove underbody protection . See 51 47 490 REMOVING AND INSTALLING / REPLACING FRONT ASSEMBLY UNDERSIDE PROTECTION .

Remove steering gear cover at top left and right . See 51 71 ... REMOVING AND INSTALLING/REPLACING TOP LEFT STEERING GEAR COVER and 51 71 ... REMOVING AND INSTALLING/REPLACING TOP RIGHT STEERING GEAR COVER .

Remove reinforcement plate . See 31 10 010 REMOVING AND INSTALLING/REPLACING REINFORCEMENT PLATE .

Remove lower control arm from spring strut holder . See 31 12 004 REMOVING AND INSTALLING/REPLACING LEFT OR RIGHT LOWER CONTROL ARM .

Version with active steering:

Disconnect plug connection (1) and unclip line (2) from front axle carrier.

Fig 2: Identifying Plug Connection And Unclip Line

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Release nuts and remove screws (1) towards bottom.

Tie up power steering gear (2).

Installation:

Replace screws and nuts.

Tightening torque. See STEERING AND WHEEL ALIGNMENT - TIGHTENING TORQUES .

Fig 3: Identifying Power Steering Gear And Screws

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If necessary, position special tool 00 2 040 with a 2nd person helping on workshop jack 00 2 030 .

Insert special tools 31 4 051 and 31 4 100 into corresponding mountings of special tool 00 2 040 .

Lower special tool 33 3 274.

Fig 4: Identifying Special Tool (00 2 040) (00 2 030)

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NOTE: The jacking points on the left side are shown.

Align special tools 31 4 051 and 31 4 100 to front axle carrier.

Support front axle carrier by operating workshop jack 00 2 030 .

Fig 5: Identifying Special Tool (31 4 051) (31 4100)

Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.

Release screws (1, 2).

Installation:

Check threads for damage; if necessary, repair with Heli-coil thread inserts.

Tighten down first screws (1) and then screws (2).

Tightening torque. See FRONT AXLE - TIGHTENING TORQUES .

Fig 6: Identifying Screws

Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.

IMPORTANT: Risk of damage!
Follow operations must be carried out during lowering:

Remove heat exchanger from front axle carrier and tie up. See 17 22 010 REMOVING AND INSTALLING/REPLACING HEAT EXCHANGER FOR AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION (N52K)) .
Remove stabilizer (conventional) from front axle carrier and tie back. See 31 35 000 REMOVING AND INSTALLING/REPLACING FRONT STABILIZER .
Disconnect all hydraulic lines from front axle carrier and tie back
Remove both control lines (for front axle oscillating motor) on retaining bars of active stabilizer and tie back
Version with active front steering: Expose connecting line up to power steering gear and tie back

Lower front axle carrier.

After installation:

Perform CHASSIS ALIGNMENT CHECK
Carry out steering angle sensor adjustment/adjustment for active front steering . See 32 10 005 ADJUSTMENT FOR ACTIVE FRONT STEERING and 61 31 996 CARRY OUT STEERING ANGLE SENSOR ADJUSTMENT .