BMW 7 Series: Replacing Front Left Or Right Spring Strut Shock Absorber

Notes

WARNING: Prior to each use of special tool 31 3 340 , it is essential to read the associated Owner's Handbook fully! All the safety information and instructions contained in the Owner's Handbook must be strictly observed! Failure to observe these safety precautions and instructions increases the risk of serious physical injury, damage to your health and damage to property and equipment!

IMPORTANT:

1. Prior to each use, check the special tools for defects, modifications and operational reliability.

7. Do not compress coil spring to full extent.

Necessary preliminary work

• Remove FRONT SPRING STRUT

Removing

Clamp special tool 31 3 341 in vice.

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

Fig. 26: Identifying Retaining Bolts With Special Tools (31 3 341 And 31 3 351)

Insert spring strut into spring tensioner in such a way that anti-roll bar link fixture (1) is horizontally positioned to left or right.

Fig. 27: Identifying Anti-Roll Bar Link Fixture

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

Compress coil spring until stress on piston rod is relieved.

Fig. 28: Compress Coil Spring Using Special Tool (31 3 351)

Release nut with special tool 33 0 040 Socket.

Check support bearing and spring pad for damage and replace if necessary.

Remove shock absorber, auxiliary damper, protective tube and spring pad from tensioned coil spring, examine and replace if necessary.

Fig. 29: Releasing Nut Using Special Tool (33 0 040)

IMPORTANT: When mounting, spring strut and support bearing must aligned using special tool 83 30 2 210 778!

The following procedure must be followed.

Fig. 30: Aligning Spring Strut And Support Bearing Using Special Tool (83 30 2 210 778)

Insert shock absorber in tensioned coil spring.

Slide auxiliary damper, protective tube and spring pad onto piston rod.

IMPORTANT: Lower end of coil spring must rest against spring pad (1).

Fig. 31: Identifying Spring Pad

IMPORTANT: Fit support bearing and align with end of coil spring.

Fig. 32: Identifying Support Bearing And Coil Spring Alignment Area

Use special tool 33 0 040 Socket. to attach support bearing.

Replace nut! Tightening torque 31 31 2AZ.

Fig. 33: Attaching Support Bearing Using Special Tool (33 0 040)

WARNING: Danger of injury! Adjusting device emits laser beam! Do not look into the beam!

Laser class 2

To EN60825-1 : 1994

P < or = 1 mW

Align laser (1) with prism mirror (2)!

• Mount laser (1) in damper eyelet
• Mount prism mirror (2) vertically onto spring strut! The prism mirror must be mounted on a clean, smooth surface. Do not mount prism mirror on label or weld beads! Laser beam must face mirror!
• Adjust the laser with adjusting screw (3) in such a way that the laser beam is projected onto mark (4) via the mirror.
• Remove prism mirror ->After this, the laser adjustment must not be changed at the adjusting screw (3)!

Fig. 34: Aligning Laser With Prism Mirror

Align spring strut and support bearing with each other

Mount gauge 83 30 2 210 780 onto support bearing!.

Right spring strut:

Vehicles built before 04/2010: Position mark (1) "RIGHT A" on arrow (2) on support bearing.

On vehicles from 04/2010: Position mark (1) "RIGHT B" on arrow (2) on support bearing.

Left spring strut:

Position mark (1) "LEFT" on arrow (2) on support bearing.

Fig. 35: Identifying Marking Position On Support Bearing

Align spring strut with support bearing or with corresponding mark on gauge (1) using laser beam and relieve tension.

IMPORTANT: After the spring tension is relieved, the laser beam must point to the specified mark of gauge (1).

Failure to observe this requirement will result in substantial impairment of handling characteristics.

Vehicles built before 04/2010: Position laser beam on mark "3" of gauge.

On vehicles from 04/2010: Position laser beam on mark "2" of gauge.

Fig. 36: Aligning Spring Strut With Support Bearing Or With Mark On Gauge Using Laser Beam

Relieve spring tension.

REPLACING PRESSURE RELIEF VALVES FOR ACTIVE ANTI-ROLL BAR AT FRONT

WARNING: DANGER OF POISONING if oil is ingested/absorbed through the skin! RISK OF INJURY if oil comes into contact with eyes and skin!

IMPORTANT: Adhere to the utmost cleanliness. Do not allow any dirt to enter the hydraulic system.

Remove defective pressure relief valves only immediately before installing new pressure relief valves.

NOTE: Replace pressure relief valves in pairs only.

When returning pressure relief valves in warranty cases, seal them with the sealing caps from the new pressure relief valves.

Necessary preliminary work

• Remove FRONT UNDERBODY PROTECTION
• Remove stiffening plate (F12/F13 only)
• Loosen and lower the ANTI-ROLL BAR on the front axle support (all-wheel drive vehicle only)

IMPORTANT: Before releasing, it is essential to remove corrosion and dirt from the area around the pressure relief valves!

NOTE: Pressure relief valve consists of filter cartridge (1) and fitting (2).

Unclip filter cartridge (1) and release fitting (2).

Tightening torque 37 11 2AZ.

Fig. 37: Identifying Pressure Relief Valve Filter Cartridge And Fitting

Installation note: Install first fitting (2) and then filter cartridge (1).

Remove both protective caps (of red rubber with tensioning strap).

After installation

• Fill and bleed HYDRAULIC SYSTEM
• Check newly installed pressure relief valves for tightness
• Start up DYNAMIC DRIVE.

READ NEXT: