BMW X5: Replacing Front Left Or Right Spring Strut Shock Absorber

Special tools required:

• 31 3 341
• 31 3 351
• 31 3 353

WARNING: Observe the following instructions to avoid any risk of injury by the coil springs.

1. Prior to each use, check the special tools for defects, modifications and operational reliability.
2. Damaged/modified special tools must not be used!
3. No changes or modifications may be made to the special tools!
4. These special tools are intended solely for the purpose of tightening and relieving cylindrical and tapered suspension springs.
5. Keep special tools dry, clean and free of grease.
6. Impact screwdrivers may not be used!
7. Do not compress coil spring to full extent.
8. Observe manufacturer's instructions.

Version with Vertical Dynamics Management:

IMPORTANT: Handle the spring strut with care so as to avoid damaging the control unit (1) and control valve (2).

Fig. 71: Identifying Control Unit And Control Valve

Necessary preliminary tasks:

• Remove front spring strut.

Removing:

Clamp special tool 31 3 341 in vice.

Fit special tools 31 3 351 and 31 3 353 from above on special tool 31 3 341 until locking pins (1) can be felt and heard to snap into place.

Check seating of special tools 31 3 351 and 31 3 353 , correct if necessary.

Fig. 72: Identifying Locking Pin And Special Tool (31 3 351)

Clean coil spring to remove coarse contamination and take up with special tools 31 3 351 and 31 3 353.

Turn spring strut until end of coil spring (1) points upwards.

Fig. 73: Identifying Coil Spring And Special Tool (31 3 353)

WARNING: Coils of coil spring must be located completely in recesses of special tools 31 3 351 and 31 3 353 when tensioned!

Compress coil spring until stress on piston rod is relieved.

Fig. 74: Identifying Special Tool (31 3 351) (31 3 353)

Unscrew nut (1).

Remove joint disc (2), support bearing upper section (3) and support bearing flange (4).

Fig. 75: Identifying Joint Disc, Support Bearing Upper Section, Support Bearing Flange And Nut

Remove support pot (1) and protective tube (2).

Fig. 76: Identifying Support Pot And Protective Tube

Relieve tension on coil spring.

Remove coil spring with spring strut from special tools 31 3 351 and 31 3 353.

Remove spring strut from coil spring.

Fig. 77: Identifying Special Tool (31 3 353)

Remove auxiliary damper (1) and lower spring pad (2) from spring strut.

Assembly:

Check auxiliary damper (1) and lower spring pad (2) for damage, replace if necessary.

Attach lower spring pad (2) to spring plate.

Attach auxiliary damper (1) to piston rod.

Fig. 78: Identifying Auxiliary Damper And Lower Spring Pad

Check upper spring pad (1), support bearing lower section (2), protective tube (3) and support bearing upper section (4) for damage, replace if necessary.

NOTE: Align upper spring pad (1) by means of coding to support bearing flange (5).

Fig. 79: Identifying Upper Spring Pad And Support Bearing Flange

Insert spring strut into coil spring.

Take up coil spring with spring strut in special tools 31 3 351 and 31 3 353.

NOTE: End of coil spring (1) must point upwards.

Fig. 80: Identifying Coil Spring And Special Tool (31 3 351)

WARNING: Coils of coil spring must be located completely in recesses of special tools 31 3 351 and 31 3 353 when tensioned!

Compress coil spring until support bearing flange can be mounted.

Fig. 81: Identifying Special Tool (31 3 351)

Attach support pot (1) and protective tube (2) to piston rod.

Fig. 82: Identifying Support Pot And Protective Tube

Version with Vertical Dynamics Management:

IMPORTANT: For spring strut installation, it is essential that the stud bolt (1) and positioning pin (2) are flush with each other!

Fig. 83: Identifying Stud Bolt And Positioning Pin

Attach support bearing flange (1) to piston rod.

Align support bearing upper section (3) as illustrated and attach to inner section (2) of support bearing flange (1).

NOTE: Pay attention to edge (4) in shown in illustration.

Fig. 84: Identifying Bearing Flange, Inner Section And Edge

Attach joint disc (1) to piston rod.

Replace nut (2), screw onto piston rod and tighten down.

Tightening torque.

Fig. 85: Identifying Joint Disc And Nut

Align support bearing flange (1) and spring strut (3) by means of spring pads to coil spring ends.

Relieve tension on coil spring.

Check installation position of protective tube (2), correct if necessary.

NOTE: Make sure upper and lower coils of coil spring rest correctly against support bearing flange or spring plate.

Fig. 86: Identifying Support Bearing Flange, Spring Strut And Protective Tube

After installation:

• Code spring strut with DIS Tester and check software status
• Carry out vertical acceleration sensor adjustment.

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