BMW X3 Quiz

Rear sub-frame

In this manual: Rear sub-frame
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
~4min read
  • Lowering/raising rear axle support
  • Removing and installing complete rear axle support
  • Replacing rear axle support

Lowering/raising rear axle support

Special tools required:

  • 31 5 251
  • 00 2 030
  • 31 5 255
  • 31 5 253
  • 33 5 206

WARNING: Danger of injury! Failure to comply with the following instructions may result in the vehicle slipping off the lifting platform and critically injuring other persons.

Load the luggage compartment with a minimum of 100 kg before lowering/removing the rear axle support. This prevents the vehicle from tilting or sliding off the vehicle hoist! When supporting components, make sure that:

  • the vehicle can no longer be raised or lowered
  • the vehicle does not lift off the locating plates on the vehicle hoist.

IMPORTANT: Before lowering/removing rear axle support: Observe SAFETY INFORMATION for raising the vehicle.

In order to avoid damage to vehicle hoist, perform weight compensation on vehicle.

Necessary preliminary tasks:

  • Remove REAR WHEELS .
  • Detach BOTH SPRING STRUTS ON CAMBER LINK.
  • Release PROPELLER SHAFT ON REAR AXLE DIFFERENTIAL and tie up.
  • Detach BOTH BRAKE-CALIPER SUPPORTS and tie up.

Unlock plug connection on ride height sensor and disconnect.

Unclip cable for pulse sensor and ride height sensor/brake pad wear sensor on camber link/wheel carrier.

Engage special tool 31 5 251 with a 2nd person helping completely on workshop jack 00 2 030 .

Insert special tools 31 5 255 in telescopic supports of a profile rail pair.

Insert special tools 31 5 253 in telescopic supports of other profile rail pair.

NOTE: In a profile rail pair, two profile rails are connected to one another by gearing.

Driveline+Axles
Driveline+Axles

The jacking points on the left side are shown.

Align special tools 31 5 251 , 31 5 253 and 31 5 255 to rear axle support.

Support rear axle support by operating workshop jack 00 2 030 .

IMPORTANT: The center of gravity of the rear axle must be positioned centrally over the workshop jack.

Use tensioning strap 33 5 206 to lash rear axle support to special tool 31 5 251 ! Release screws (1).

Release screws (2) and remove stop plate and compression strut.

Lower rear axle support.

Installation note: Check threads for damage; if necessary, repair with HELICOIL THREAD INSERTS .

Replace screws (2).

Turn in all screws, first tightening screws (2) and then tightening screws (1).

Driveline+Axles

Removing and installing complete rear axle support

WARNING: Danger of injury! Failure to comply with the following instructions may result in the vehicle slipping off the vehicle hoist and critically injuring other persons.

Load the luggage compartment with a minimum of 100 kg before lowering/removing the rear axle support.

When supporting components, make sure that:

  • the vehicle can no longer be raised or lowered
  • the vehicle does not lift off the locating plates on the vehicle hoist.

IMPORTANT: Observe SAFETY INFORMATION for raising the vehicle.

In order to avoid damage to vehicle hoist, perform weight compensation on vehicle.

Necessary preliminary tasks:

  • Remove PULSE GENERATOR .

NOTE: The subsequent procedure is described in 33 31 011 Replacing rear axle support.

IMPORTANT: Prior to installation, check sensor head and cable on pulse sensor and renew if necessary.

Replacing rear axle support

WARNING: Danger of injury! Failure to comply with the following instructions may result in the vehicle slipping off the vehicle hoist and critically injuring other persons.

Load the luggage compartment with a minimum of 100 kg before lowering/removing the rear axle support. This prevents the vehicle from tilting or sliding off the vehicle hoist! When supporting components, make sure that:

  • the vehicle can no longer be raised or lowered
  • the vehicle does not lift off the locating plates on the vehicle hoist.

IMPORTANT: Before lowering/removing rear axle support: Observe SAFETY INFORMATION for raising the vehicle.

In order to avoid damage to vehicle hoist, perform weight compensation on vehicle.

Necessary preliminary work:

  • Remove REAR AXLE FINAL DRIVE.
  • Remove COMPLETE REAR AXLE CARRIER.

Release RIDE HEIGHT SENSOR WITH JOINTED ROD ON REAR AXLE SUPPORT .

Release both ANTI-ROLL BAR LINKS AT ANTI-ROLL BAR.

Driveline+Axles

Release both CAMBER ARMS ON REAR AXLE CARRIER.

Release both TOE LINKS ON REAR AXLE CARRIER.

Release both TRAILING ARMS ON REAR AXLE CARRIER.

Release both CONTROL ARMS ON REAR AXLE CARRIER.

Release both WISHBONES ON REAR AXLE CARRIER.

Remove both wheel carriers with output shaft, all arms, anti-roll bar link and brake disc.

Release ANTI-ROLL BAR.

Driveline+Axles

Take rear axle support down from special tool with assistance of a 2nd person and set down on a suitable surface.

Installation note: Use previous rear axle support as a template for modifying or replacing small parts.

Driveline+Axles

After installation:

  • Carry out wheel alignment procedure .

Test yourself

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