BMW X5: Replacing Front Axle Carrier

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

Secure engine in installation position to prevent it from falling down.

Necessary preliminary tasks:

• Lower front axle support.
• Remove both lower control arms from front axle carrier.
• Remove both tension struts from front axle carrier.

Remove both engine mounts from front axle carrier.

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. 19: Identifying Front Axle Carrier

After installation:

• Perform CHASSIS ALIGNMENT CHECK
• Carry out steering angle sensor adjustment/adjustment for active front steering.

LOWERING/RAISING FRONT AXLE CARRIER (SPECIAL TOOL SWZ00-2040)

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.

Secure engine in installation position to prevent it from falling down.

Necessary preliminary tasks:

• 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. 20: Identifying Swivel Bearing And Special Tool (31 4 170)

Remove underbody protection.

Remove steering gear cover at top left and right.

Remove reinforcement plate.

Remove lower control arm from spring strut holder.

Version with active steering:

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

Fig. 21: Identifying Plug Connection And Unclip Line

Release nuts and remove screws (1) towards bottom.

Tie up power steering gear (2).

Installation:

Replace screws and nuts.

Tightening torque.

Fig. 22: Identifying Power Steering Gear And Screws

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. 23: Identifying Special Tool (00 2 040) (00 2 030)

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. 24: Identifying Special Tool (31 4 051) (31 4100)

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.

Fig. 25: Identifying Screws

IMPORTANT: Risk of damage!

Follow operations must be carried out during lowering:

• Remove heat exchanger from front axle carrier and tie up.
• Remove stabilizer (conventional) from front axle carrier and tie back.
• 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.

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