31 11 001 Replacing Front Axle Carrier

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

WARNING: Danger to life!
Secure engine in installation position to prevent it from falling down.

IMPORTANT: Observe safety instructions when raising the vehicle.
Adhere to the utmost cleanliness. Do not allow any dirt to enter the hydraulic system.
Seal off hydraulic lines with plugs.

Necessary preliminary tasks:

Secure engine in installation position
Disconnect battery negative lead . See 12 00 ... INSTRUCTIONS FOR DISCONNECTING AND CONNECTING BATTERY .
Draw off and dispose off hydraulic fluid from fluid reservoir
Remove front wheels . See 36 10 300 REMOVING OR INSTALLING FRONT OR REAR WHEEL .
Remove stabilizer . See 31 35 000 REMOVING AND INSTALLING/REPLACING FRONT STABILIZER .
If necessary, remove rear assembly underside protection . See 51 47 491 REMOVING AND INSTALLING/REPLACING REAR UNDERBODY PROTECTION .
Remove air duct for brake ventilation on both sides
Remove reinforcement plate . See REMOVING AND INSTALLING/REPLACING REINFORCEMENT PLATE .
If necessary, remove steering gear cover on both sides
Remove universal joint from power steering gear . See .32 31 211 REPLACING UNIVERSAL JOINT FOR LOWER SECTION OF STEERING SPINDLE .
Disconnect plug connection on Servotronic converter
Disconnect plug connection from ride-height sensor
If necessary, disconnect vacuum line from electrically operated valve to engine mounts at T-piece
Remove pressure line and if necessary Dynamic Drive pressure line from vane pump . See 32 41 060 REMOVING AND INSTALLING VANE PUMP (N62, N62TU) FOR POWER STEERING (FROM 10/2003) .
Disconnect return line from power steering cooler.
Remove tension strut on both sides from front axle carrier . See 31 12 080 REMOVING AND INSTALLING/REPLACING BOTH TENSION STRUTS .
Remove control arm on both sides from front axle carrier . See 31 12 000 REMOVING AND INSTALLING/REPLACING LEFT OR RIGHT CONTROL ARM .
Remove tie rod end on both sides from swivel bearing . See 32 21 151 REPLACING LEFT OR RIGHT TIE ROD .

Lower front axle carrier. See 31 11 506 LOWERING/RAISING FRONT AXLE CARRIER .

Version with Dynamic Drive:

Remove pressure lines for oscillating motor of front axle with hose/pipe holders. See 37 13 100 REMOVING AND INSTALLING/REPLACING PRESSURE LINES FOR OSCILLATING MOTOR/FRONT AXLE .
Remove vent hose with filter . See 37 10 005 REMOVING AND INSTALLING / REPLACING VENT HOSE (FROM 06 / 2003) FOR ACTIVE STABILIZER (FRONT) .

Remove heat shield(s).

Disconnect hydraulic lines from power steering gear and front axle carrier. See 32 13 060 REMOVING AND INSTALLING / REPLACING POWER STEERING GEAR .

Remove engine mount/mounting bracket on both sides and if necessary remove with vacuum lines from front axle carrier. See 11 ENGINE SUSPENSION .

Remove power steering gear. See 13 STEERING GEAR WITH SER .

E65, 66: Remove vehicle jack support.

Take front axle carrier down and set down on a suitable surface.

Installation:

Use previous front axle carrier as a template for modifying or replacing small parts.

Fig 1: Identifying Power Steering Gear Hydraulic Lines

Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.

After installation:

Fill and bleed hydraulic system . See 32 13 006 BLEEDING POWER STEERING (VERSION WITH DYNAMIC DRIVE) or 32 13 006 BLEEDING POWER STEERING UNIT .
Check pipe connections for leaks
Perform chassis alignment check . See 32 00 ... CHASSIS/WHEEL ALIGNMENT CHECK PROCEDURE .
Carry out steering angle sensor adjustment . See 61 31 996 CARRY OUT STEERING ANGLE SENSOR ADJUSTMENT .
If necessary, carry out initial Dynamic Drive operation . See 37 10 001 INITIAL OPERATION WITH TEST RUN OF DYNAMIC DRIVE .