BMW X5: Removing And Installing/Replacing Complete Front Left Or Right Spring Strut Holder

Special tools required:

• 31 2 230
• 31 5 220

WARNING: Danger to life! Mount securing fixture for vehicle on lifting platform to prevent the vehicle from slipping off or tilting down.

Necessary preliminary tasks:

• Mount securing fixture for vehicle on lifting platform.
• Remove front wheel.
• Remove stabilizer link from swivel bearing.

Secure special tool 31 5 220 to drive flange with wheel studs. Support swivel bearing with special tool 31 5 220 and workshop jack.

Fig. 49: Identifying Special Tool (31 5 220)

Unfasten nut (1) and remove screw (2).

Installation:

Keep control arm to swivel bearing connection clean and free from oil and grease.

Note insertion direction of screw.

Screw must rest correctly in groove of ball stud.

Replace self-locking nut.

Tightening torque.

Fig. 50: Identifying Screw And Nut

IMPORTANT: To be able to lower the swivel bearing far enough, it is necessary to align the output shaft so that one of the marked surfaces (1) points upwards.

Fig. 51: Identifying Output Shaft Marked Surfaces

Release bolt (2) and remove with holder (1).

Expand spring strut holder (3) with special tool 31 2 230.

Release nut (5) and remove screw (4).

Lower swivel bearing until spring strut holder (3) is below spring strut.

Remove spring strut holder (3), taking care not to damage the output shaft.

Installation:

Keep spring strut holder to spring strut connection clean and free from oil and grease.

Version with Vertical Dynamics Management: Align spring strut holder by way of gap to positioning pin on back of spring strut.

Release bolt (4) and nut (5).

Note insertion direction of bolt (4).

Tighten down first bolt (4) and then bolt (2) in normal position.

Tighten spring strut.

Tighten lower control arm.

Tightening torque.

Fig. 52: Identifying Holder, Nut, Bolt And Special Tool (31 2 230)

REMOVING AND INSTALLING/REPLACING LEFT OR RIGHT TENSION STRUT

Special tools required:

• 31 2 240
• 31 2 247

Necessary preliminary tasks:

• Remove front wheel
• Remove front assembly underside protection.
• Remove steering gear cover at side bottom.

Release bolts (1).

Remove front wheel arch cover (2) from bumper trim.

Installation:

Make sure wheel arch cover is in correct position.

Fig. 53: Identifying Front Wheel Arch Cover And Bolts

Release nut (1) and remove screw (2).

Remove tension strut (3) from front axle carrier.

Installation:

Replace screw and nut.

Tighten bolt connection in normal position.

Tightening torque.

Fig. 54: Identifying Tension Strut, Nut And Screw

IMPORTANT: Do not release tension strut from swivel bearing with impact tool.

Rubber gaiter of tension strut must not be damaged!

Do not pull stainless steel ring off journal.

Slacken nut (1) two to three thread turns.

If necessary, replace lower section 31 2 242 with lower section 31 2 247.

Press tension strut (2) with special tool 31 2 240 off swivel bearing.

Unscrew nut (1) and remove tension strut (2) from swivel bearing.

Installation:

Keep tension strut to swivel bearing connection clean and free from oil and grease.

Replace self-locking nut.

Tightening torque.

Fig. 55: Identifying Tension Strut, Nut And Special Tool (31 2 247)

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