Rear control and suspension elements

In this manual: Rear 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
  • Carry out ride height adjustment
  • Removing and installing rear left or right spring strut shock absorber (edc)
  • Replacing rear left or right spring strut shock absorber

Carry out ride height adjustment

NOTE: Ride height adjustment must be carried out after the following work:

  • Removal/replacement of ride height sensor or its control rod (only necessary on vehicles with air suspension).
  • Replacement of EHC control unit (F01/F02/F04/F07/F11/F15/F16).
  • Replacement of ICM control unit (Integrated Chassis Management).

Connect diagnosis system.

Switch the ignition on.

Carry out ride height adjustment (menu item: "Service function").

IMPORTANT: Following ride height adjustment, for vehicles with:

  • Run Flat Indicator: initialise RUN FLAT INDICATOR .
  • Tyre Pressure Monitor: RESETTING TYRE PRESSURE MONITOR .

Removing and installing rear left or right spring strut shock absorber (edc)

NOTE: With full spring deflection, the coil spring may touch the gaiter, depending on the design.

This is not a fault!

Suspension

NOTE: Work is identical to REMOVING AND INSTALLING SPRING STRUT !

Replacing rear left or right spring strut shock absorber

Special tools required:

  • 31 3 340
  • 31 3 341
  • 31 3 353
  • 33 0 040

WARNING: Completely read the respective operating instructions before using special tools 31 3 340 ! Strictly adhere to all safety information and instructions in the operating instructions! 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!
  7. Do not compress coil spring to full extent.

IMPORTANT: When replacing the spring strut, replace the auxiliary damper as well!

Necessary preliminary tasks:

  • Remove REAR SPRING STRUT SHOCK ABSORBER UNIT .

Removing:

Clamp special tool 31 3 341 in vice.

Place special tools 31 3 353 from top on special tool 31 3 341 . Retaining bolts (1) must be felt and heard snapping into place.

Suspension

Clean coil spring to remove all coarse dirt and mount on special tools 31 3 353 .

WARNING: Coils of coil spring must be located completely in recesses of special tools 31 3 353 . Compress coil spring until stress on piston rod is relieved.

Suspension

Release nut with special tool 33 0 040 .

Remove spring pad with dust boot.

Remove shock absorber with auxiliary damper, protective tube and spring pad from tensioned coil spring.

Suspension

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

Suspension

Relieve tension on coil spring and remove from special tools 31 3 353 .

Suspension

Assembly:

WARNING: Do not compress coil spring to full extent.

Coils of coil spring must be located completely in recesses of special tools 31 3 353 ! Tension coil spring.

Suspension

Check auxiliary spring (1) with protective tube and spring pad (2) for damage, replace if necessary.

Suspension

Insert spring strut into tensioned coil spring.

Suspension

IMPORTANT: Lower end of coil spring must rest on stop of spring pad!

Suspension

Check support bearing (1) and spring pad (2) for damage, replace if necessary.

IMPORTANT: The arrows on support bearing (1) and spring pad (2) must be aligned.

Suspension

Mount support bearing and spring pad on piston rod.

IMPORTANT: Align support bearing and spring pad to end of coil spring.

Suspension

IMPORTANT: The marks (1) must be aligned with the hole in rubber mount (2).

Suspension

Replace nut and tighten down with special tool 33 0 040 .

Relieve tension on coil spring.

Suspension

Impact screwdrivers are prohibited! Risk of damage inside the shock absorber!

Test yourself

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