Front control and suspension elements

In this manual: Front control and suspension elements
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
7steps
~42min
2/5difficulty
Done 0 of 7

REMOVING AND INSTALLING COMPLETE LEFT OR RIGHT SPRING STRUT (EDC)

NOTE: Work is identical to Removing and installing front spring strut .

REPLACING FRONT LEFT OR RIGHT SPRING STRUT (EDC)

Special tools required:

  • 31 3 340
  • 31 3 341
  • 31 3 355
  • 33 0 040
  • 31 0 040

WARNING: Prior to each use of special tool 31 3 340, it is essential to read the associated operating instructions fully! All the safety precautions 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.
  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 (down to the spindle) free from grease.
  6. Impact screwdrivers are prohibited! Risk of damage inside the shock absorber!
  7. Do not compress coil spring to full extent.

Necessary preliminary tasks:

  • Remove FRONT SPRING STRUT.

Removing:

Clamp special tool 31 3 341 with guide (1) in vice.

Fit special tools 31 3 355 from above on special tool 31 3 341 until retaining bolts (2) can be felt and heard to snap into place.

Check seating of special tools 31 3 355 and, if necessary, correct.

Suspension

Clean coil spring to remove all coarse dirt and mount on special tools 31 3 355.

WARNING: Coils of coil spring must be located completely in recesses of special tools 31 3 355!

Tension coil spring with special tool 31 3 341 until stress on piston rod is relieved.

Suspension

Take off cap.

Release nut with special tool 33 0 040 (grip piston rod in the process).

Remove support bearing.

Remove shock absorber with auxiliary damper, gaiter and lower spring pad from tensioned coil spring.

Installation note:

When renewing support bearing: Renew screws (self-tapping if necessary).

Suspension

Impact screwdrivers are prohibited! Risk of damage inside the shock absorber! If necessary, remove auxiliary damper (1) with gaiter (2) and spring pad (3) from shock absorber.

Suspension

Remove swivel bearing .

Installation note: When renewing spring strut/swivel bearing, follow tightening specifications!

Check auxiliary damper (1), gaiter (2) and spring pad (3) for damage, replace if necessary.

Suspension

Installation note: Align spring pad (3) with spring pad by way of recess (1).

Suspension

IMPORTANT: Align lower end of coil spring (1) flush with spring pad (2) as shown.

Upper coil of coil spring must rest positively on spring cup!

Insert shock absorber in tensioned coil spring.

Relieve tension on coil spring.

Check installation position of gaiter, correct fold if necessary.

Suspension

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

Attach support bearing to piston rod.

Replace nut and tighten down with special tool 31 0 040 (grip piston rod in the process).

Fit cover cap.

Suspension

Impact screwdrivers are prohibited!

Risk of damage inside the shock absorber!

After installation:

  • Use the diagnosis system to perform the wheel speed accelerator sensor adjustment.

Test yourself

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