BMW X3 Quiz

Control arms and struts

In this manual: Control arms and struts
General information on preservation measures — 1Body cavity sealing — 1Body corrosion protection — 1Body repair instructions — 1Support members — 1Luggage compartment floor — 1Wheel wells — 1Side frame and door pillars — 1Roof outer skin — 1Dash cowl — 1Front trim panel — 1Rear trim panel — 1Side panels — 1Front side doors — 1Rear side doors — 1Front lid — 1Rear lid — 1Other flaps — 1Body special tools — 1General information — 1Handling brake fluids — 1Brake testing and bleeding — 1Front brakes — 1Rear brakes — 1Master brake cylinder — 1Brake lines — 1Brake booster — 1Electrical components/wear indicator — 1Parking brake — 1Mechanical/hydraulic components — 1Electronic components — 1Brakes — 1Front brake — 1Pedal mounting block — 1Brake pedal with linkage — 1Clutch pedal with linkage — 1Accelerator pedal actuation — 1Pedals — 1Specified grease — 1Propeller shaft, general — 1Propeller shaft assembly — 1Center console assembly — 1Front propeller shaft — 1Propeller shaft — 1Propeller shaft complete — 1Front axle repair instructions — 1Front axle suspension — 1Front sub-frame — 1Struts with rubber mounts — 1Wheel bearings and stub axle — 1Spring strut — 1Spring with suspension — 1Stabilizer bar — 1Front axle gearbox — 1Output shaft — 1Front axle — 1General information on high temperature multi-purpose grease — 1Rear axle repair instructions — 1Final drive with cover — 1Final drive mounting — 1Output shafts — 1Rear sub-frame — 1Control arms and struts — 1Axle mounting — 1Wheel bearings — 1Shock absorber — 1With suspension — 1Stabilizer bar — 1Rear axle — 1General information on final drive oil — 1Approved final drive oils for front and rear axle final drives with and without limited slip or viscous coupling — 1Final drive oil for bmw m1 motorsport coupe — 1Operating fluids as of 11/2015 — 1Brake pad replacement reminder — 1Emissions maintenance reminder — 1Maintenance service reminder — 1Tire pressure monitor system reminder — 1Description — 1Troubleshooting — 1Ignition wires, spark plugs — 1Ignition coil — 1Electronic switching or control units — 1Preheating relay — 1Preheater plugs — 1Alternator with drive and mounting — 1Controller — 1Starter with mounting — 1Starter lead — 1Engine wiring loom — 1Oil pressure/oil temperature/oil gauge — 1Switches and relays — 1Engine electrical system — 1Cabin air filter — 1Cabin air filter applications — 1Operating fluids - air conditioning and heating — 1Air conditioner refrigerant — 1Refrigeration oil — 1Note, overview components climate control — 1Heater with operation — 1Auxiliary. heater with control elements — 1Nozzles and outlets — 1Microfilter — 1Air conditioning, leak detection — 1Ac housing/evaporator, switching elements — 1Compressor — 1Condenser and dryer with lines — 1Heating and air conditioning — 1Front axle repair instructions — 1Front axle suspension — 1Front sub-frame — 1Struts with rubber mounts — 1Wheel bearings and stub axle — 1Spring strut — 1Spring with suspension — 1Stabilizer bar — 1Front axle gearbox — 1Front axle — 1General information on high temperature multi-purpose grease — 1Integrated suspension systems repair instructions — 1Front control and suspension elements — 1Rear control and suspension elements — 1Electrical components — 1Electronic damping force adjustment — 1Integrated suspension systems — 1Approved hydraulic fluids — 1Rear axle repair instructions — 1Final drive — 1Final drive with cover — 1Final drive mounting — 1Output shafts — 1Rear sub-frame — 1Control arms and struts — 1Axle mounting — 1Wheel bearings — 1Shock absorber — 1Springs with suspension — 1Stabilizer bar — 1Rear axle — 1General information on final drive oil — 1Approved final drive oils for front and rear axle final drives with and without limited slip or viscous coupling — 1Final drive oil for bmw m1 motorsport coupe — 1Operating fluids as of 11/2015 — 1Electronic chassis alignment — 1Mechanical steering gear — 1Steering gear with servo unit — 1Steering arms, tie rods, steer. damper — 1Steering column — 1Steering wheel — 1Steering wheel for airbag — 1Pump and oil supply — 1Steering and wheel alignment — 1Wheels — 1Disc wheels (rims) — 1Tires — 1Wheels with tires — 1Tire mounting paste — 1Engine mounting — 1Transmission suspension, automatic. transmission — 1Engine and gearbox suspension — 1Transmission in general — 1Transmission case, oil sump — 1Extension housing, bearings, seal — 1Mechanical attachments — 1Hydr/el control components/elements — 1Oil pump — 1Shift valves, parking lock — 1Torque converter — 1Automatic transmission — 1Automatic transmission fluid for zf-transmission GA8HP45Z / GA8HP50Z / GA8HP70Z / GA8HP90Z / GA8P70H / GA8P75H / GA8HP75Z — 1General information on automatic transmission fluids — 1Approved automatic transmission fluids for initial fillings and correcting fluid levels — 1Checking transmission fluid level — 1Transmission fluid change intervals (if applicable) — 1Transfer case, general — 1Transfer box — 1Transmission shafts — 1Transfer box special tools — 1Transfer box in general (atc 45l) — 1Transmission in general — 1Bearing in housing, sealing ring — 1SELF-DIAGNOSTICS DTCS — 1
~8min read

OVERVIEW OF STEERING LINKS

Suspension
Suspension
  • Removing and installing/replacing a steering stub/wheel carrier
  • Removing and installing/replacing left or right camber arm
  • Removing and installing/replacing left or right toe arm
  • Removing and installing/replacing left or right underbody panelling
  • Replacing a ball joint in lower steering stub/wheel carrier
  • Replacing a control arm
  • Replacing an upper wishbone
  • Replacing left or right trailing arm
  • Replacing rubber mount for trailing arm in wheel carrier
  • Replacing rubber mount for wishbone in wheel carrier

Removing and installing/replacing a steering stub/wheel carrier

Special tools required:

  • 33 5 120
  • 33 5 125
  • 33 5 123
  • 33 5 121
  • 33 5 124
  • 33 5 126
  • 33 5 122

Necessary preliminary work:

  • Remove REAR WHEEL .

IMPORTANT: Expand anti-twist lock sufficiently to avoid damaging thread when releasing collar nut (1).

Activate parking brake and release collar nut (1).

Installation note:

Lightly oil the gearing on the shaft journal.

No oil permitted on thread of shaft journal or collar nut.

Replace collar nut (1) by positive peening at flat areas of output shaft.

Suspension

IMPORTANT: Special tools 33 5 120 and 33 5 125 must be inserted in all-round slot (1) on output shaft!

Suspension

Use special tools 33 5 123 , 33 5 121 , 33 5 124 /33 5 126 to push the output shaft out of the rear axle final drive by jerking.

Here, synchronising key of bolt 33 5 122 must rest on rear axle final drive.

Suspension

Installation note:

High installation forces indicate that the output shaft spline teeth are damaged or deformed! Check gearing, replace damaged components.

Check dust plate (1) for damage, renew if necessary.

Circlip (2) must be replaced.

Coat contact surface (3) of output shaft with approved final drive oil.

Suspension

IMPORTANT:

  • The RADIAL SHAFT SEAL FOR THE OUTPUT SHAFT should be replaced every time the output shaft is removed and installed.
  • The circlip of the output shaft must be replaced after re-installation.

IMPORTANT: Secure wheel carrier against falling out.

  • Loosen the PULSE SENSOR ON THE WHEEL CARRIER .
  • Loosen the BRAKE DISC .
  • Loosen the ANTI-ROLL BAR LINK ON THE WHEEL CARRIER.
  • Loosen SHOCK ABSORBER ON CAMBER ARM.
  • Loosen CAMBER ARM ON WHEEL CARRIER.
  • Loosen STEERING ARM ON WHEEL CARRIER.
  • Loosen UPPER WISHBONE ON WHEEL CARRIER.
  • Loosen CONTROL ARM ON WHEEL CARRIER.
  • Loosen TRAILING ARM ON WHEEL CARRIER.
Suspension

Remove wheel carrier including output shaft.

IMPORTANT: Check sensor head and line from pulse sensor prior to installation for external damage, replacing if necessary.

Replacement:

  • Press OUTPUT SHAFT out of drive flange.
  • Modify BRAKE ANCHOR PLATE/BRAKE GUARD PLATE . Replace if necessary.
  • Modify WHEEL BEARING with drive flange. Replace if necessary.

After installation:

  • Replacement: Carry out wheel alignment procedure .

Removing and installing/replacing left or right camber arm

IMPORTANT: If the camber arm is bent, the control arm/wheel carrier screw connection must be renewed.

NOTE: If the camber arm is renewed, the wheel alignment .

Necessary preliminary work:

  • Remove REAR WHEEL .

Support wheel carrier with workshop jack! Mark position of eccentric adjustment washer to rear axle support to simplify subsequent adjustment of rear axle.

Release nut (1) and remove eccentric bolt.

Installation note:

Note insertion direction of eccentric screw.

Renew nut, eccentric bolt.

Tighten down screw connection in NORMAL POSITION .

Suspension

Release nut (2) and remove screw.

Installation note:

Note direction of insertion of screw.

Replace screw and nut.

Release nut (3) and remove screw.

Installation note:

Note direction of insertion of bolts.

Replace screw and nut.

After installation:

  • Carry out wheel alignment procedure .

Removing and installing/replacing left or right toe arm

IMPORTANT:

  • The toe link must be installed with the opening (U-section) facing downward!
  • If the toe link is bent, the control arm/wheel carrier screw connection must be renewed.

NOTE: If the toe link is detached from the rear axle support, it will be necessary to carry out the wheel alignment procedure .

Necessary preliminary work:

  • Remove REAR WHEEL .

Open clips and remove cable for pulse generator.

Installation note:

Replace defective clamps.

Release screw (1).

Installation note:

Replace screw.

The toe link must be installed with the opening (U-section) facing downward! Tighten down screw connection in NORMAL POSITION .

Mark position of eccentric adjustment washer to rear axle support to simplify subsequent adjustment of rear axle.

Release nut (2) and remove screw.

Installation note:

Replace nut.

Tighten down screw connection in NORMAL POSITION .

Suspension

Installation note: When installing, ensure that the tapered side of the bearing bush is connected first toward the wheel carrier.

Suspension

After installation:

  • Carry out wheel alignment procedure .

Removing and installing/replacing left or right underbody panelling

Graphic is only an example. There may be differences in specific details depending on engine version.

Unscrew all bolts.

Remove underbody panelling (1).

Installation note: Make sure underbody panelling (1) is correctly seated.

Suspension

Replacing a ball joint in lower steering stub/wheel carrier

Special tools required:

  • 0 496 553
  • 2 293 777
  • 2 293 775
  • 2 293 776
  • 0 496 554

Necessary preliminary tasks:

  • Remove CAMBER ARM.
  • Remove TRAILING ARM.

Pull out ball joint:

Pull out ball joint with special tools 0 496 553, 2 293 777 , 2 293 775 and 0 496 553 in direction of travel (F).

Suspension

Pull out ball joint:

Pull in ball joint (1) with special tools in direction of travel 0 496 553, 2 293 777 , 2 293 776 and 0 496 554 until limit position.

Suspension

After installation:

  • Carry out wheel alignment procedure .

Replacing a control arm

Release screw.

Installation note:

Replace screw.

Tighten down screw connection in NORMAL POSITION .

Suspension

IMPORTANT: When installing, ensure that the tapered side of the bearing bush is connected first toward the wheel carrier.

Suspension

Slacken nut (1).

Unscrew bolt towards rear and remove control arm (2).

Installation note:

Bolt head must point to rear.

Replace screw and nut.

Tighten down screw connection in NORMAL POSITION .

Suspension

Replacing an upper wishbone

IMPORTANT:

  • The wishbone must be installed with the opening (U-section) facing downward!
  • If the wishbone is bent, the screw connection between the control arm and wheel carrier must be replaced.

Necessary preliminary work:

  • Remove REAR WHEEL .

Release left and right screws (1). Slide anti-roll bar (2) forward.

Installation note:

Replace screws.

Suspension

Release nut (1) and remove screw towards front.

Installation note:

Tighten down screw connection in NORMAL POSITION .

Replace screw and nut.

Suspension

Release nut (1) and remove screw towards front.

Remove wishbone (2).

Installation note:

The wishbone must be installed with the opening (U-section) facing downward! Raise wheel carrier using workshop jack.

Bolt heads face in forward direction.

Replace screw and nut.

Suspension

After installation:

  • Carry out wheel alignment procedure .

Replacing left or right trailing arm

IMPORTANT:

  • The trailing arm must be installed with the opening (U-section) facing downward!
  • If the trailing arm is bent, the control arm/wheel carrier screw connection must be renewed.

Necessary preliminary work:

  • Only on left side at ride height sensor: Release JOINTED ROD AT TRAILING ARM .

Unscrew nuts (1).

Pull out bolt towards front.

Installation note:

Note direction of insertion of bolts.

Replace screw and nut.

Tighten down screw connection in NORMAL POSITION .

Suspension

Slacken nut (2).

Move screws toward the rear.

Remove trailing arm (3) downward.

Installation note:

The trailing arm must be installed with the opening (U-section) facing downward! Note direction of insertion of screw.

Replace screw and nut.

Tighten down screw connection in NORMAL POSITION .

Replacing rubber mount for trailing arm in wheel carrier

Special tools required:

  • 0 496 553
  • 0 496 554
  • 2 293 777
  • 2 293 768
  • 2 293 772

Necessary preliminary tasks:

  • Remove REAR WHEEL .
  • Remove TRAILING ARM.
  • Remove CAMBER ARM FROM WHEEL CARRIER.

Withdrawing rubber mount: Pull out rubber mount with special tools 0 496 553, 0 496 554, 2 293 777 and 2 293 768 against direction of travel (F).

Suspension

Installing rubber mount: Pull in rubber mount (1) against direction of travel (F) with special tools 0 496 553, 0 496 554, 2 293 777 and 2 293 772 up to limit position.

Suspension

Replacing rubber mount for wishbone in wheel carrier

Special tools required:

  • 0 496 553
  • 0 496 554
  • 2 293 768
  • 2 293 777
  • 2 293 770

Necessary preliminary tasks:

  • Release WISHBONE ON WHEEL CARRIER.

Withdrawing rubber mount:

Pull out rubber mount with special tools 0 496 553, 0 496 554, 2 293 768 and 2 293 777 out of wheel carrier against direction of travel (F).

Suspension

Installing rubber mount:

IMPORTANT: Alight slot (1) of rubber mount parallel to wheel carrier.

Suspension

Pull in rubber mount (1) against direction of travel (F) with special tools 0 496 553, 0 496 554, 2 293 770 and 2 293 777 up to limit position.

Suspension

After installation:

  • Perform WHEEL ALIGNMENT .

Test yourself

A quick BMW X3 quiz: every answer comes with an explanation and a link to the manual page.