Support members

In this manual: Support members
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
~10min read
  • Replace entrance for front left door
  • Replace sills, left
  • Replacing engine support in front of wheel arch, left
  • Replacing engine support with left wheel arch in front of bulkhead
  • Replacing the carrier support before the wheel arch on the left
  • Replacing the carrier support before the wheel arch on the right

Replace entrance for front left door

Observe procedure for REPAIR STAGE 3.

Read contents of BODY, GENERAL.

Following new body parts are required (refer to OVERVIEW OF CONSUMABLES):

  • (1) A-pillar with entrance
Body+and+Frame

Mark severance cuts in accordance with specified dimensions and cut.

IMPORTANT: Cut outer panel only for following severance cuts.

Dimension a = approximately 380 mm in front of Ø 20 mm hole.
Dimension b = approximately 360 mm before separating cut a.

Open welded connections in areas (1).

Installation note: Mark new part in accordance with severance cuts on vehicle and cut.

Weld in REINFORCEMENT PLATES at severance cuts.

Body+and+Frame

Replace sills, left

Procedure OBSERVE repair stage 3! Read contents of BODY, GENERAL.

Use only approved SPOT-WELDING APPARATUS for repairs! Following new body parts are required (see OVERVIEW OF CONSUMABLES):

  • (1) Outer side frame
Body+and+Frame

Removal

Body+and+Frame

Mark severance cut (1) in accordance with dimension and cut.

IMPORTANT: Cut outer panel only.

Measurement a = approx. 40 mm from center point of 8 mm dia. hole.

Open welded connections in areas (2).

Body+and+Frame

Open welded connections in area (1).

Remove sill.

New part preparation

Body+and+Frame

Mark severance cut (1) on the new part according to vehicle + 20 mm extra material and cut.

Body+and+Frame

Adjust new part to fit and secure.

Prepare new part for plug-weld in areas (1).

In area (2) prepare new part for spot-weld.

Remove new part and deburr holes.

Installation

Install new part and weld.

REPLACING ENGINE SUPPORT IN FRONT OF BULKHEAD ON RIGHT

Operation is identical to REPLACING ENGINE SUPPORT IN FRONT OF BULKHEAD ON LEFT.

REPLACING ENGINE SUPPORT IN FRONT OF BULKHEAD, LEFT

Observe procedure of REPAIR STAGE 3.

Read contents of BODY, GENERAL.

Use only approved SPOT-WELDING APPARATUS for repairs.

Place vehicle on straightening bench.

The following body new parts are required (refer to OVERVIEW OF CONSUMABLES)

  • (1) Engine support
Body+and+Frame

Removing the engine support

View of inside engine support.

Mark severance cut in accordance with dimension and cut.

Dimension a = approx. 110 mm from engine support edge.

Open welded connections in areas (1).

Remove partial section (2).

Body+and+Frame

Mark severance cut in accordance with dimension and cut.

Dimension a = 140 mm from cross brace bulkhead.

IMPORTANT: Cut outer metal panel only.

Open welded connections in areas (1) and (2).

Body+and+Frame

Open welded connections in areas (1).

Body+and+Frame

Open welded connections in area (1).

Body+and+Frame

Open welded connections in areas (1) and remove engine support.

Body+and+Frame

New part preparation

Mark severance cut (1) in accordance with vehicle and cut.

Open welded connections in areas (2).

Remove metal section (3).

NOTE: The metal section (3) is needed to close the engine support.

Mark severance cut in accordance with vehicle and cut.

Body+and+Frame

Adjust new parts to fit with alignment bracket or universal mounting.

Prepare REINFORCEMENT PLATES at severance cuts.

Installing engine support

Install new parts and reinforcement plates with alignment bracket or universal mount and weld.

NOTE: The bulkhead cross member (1) is filled with low-flammable cavity foam.

In case of smoke formation, stop the welding procedure and cool the welded area with compressed air if applicable.

  • (2) Bulkhead
  • (3) Engine support
Body+and+Frame

MAG-weld new part in area (1).

Length of weld seam approx. 15 mm.

Body+and+Frame

Replacing engine support in front of wheel arch, left

Follow procedure for REPAIR STAGE 3.

Read contents of BODY, GENERAL.

Use only APPROVED SPOT-WELDING APPARATUS for repairs.

Place vehicle on straightening bench.

Following new body parts are required (refer to OVERVIEW OF CONSUMABLES):

  • (1) Engine support, front
Body+and+Frame

Removing the engine support

Open welded connections in area (1).

Body+and+Frame

Mark severance cut in accordance with Dimension a and cut.

Dimension a=85 mm before wheel arch edge.

Remove section of engine support.

NOTE: Shown without carrier support for purposes of clarity.

Body+and+Frame

Preparation of new part: Mark severance cut on new part in accordance with vehicle and cut.

Prepare REINFORCEMENT PLATE at severance cut.

Adjust new part to fit with alignment bracket or universal mount.

Installing engine support

Install new parts and reinforcement plates with alignment bracket or universal mount and weld.

MAG-weld new part in area (1).

Length of weld seam approx. 15 mm.

Body+and+Frame

REPLACING ENGINE SUPPORT IN FRONT OF WHEEL ARCH, RIGHT

Operation is identical to REPLACING ENGINE SUPPORT IN FRONT OF WHEEL ARCH ON LEFT.

REPLACING ENGINE SUPPORT WITH FRONT RIGHT WHEEL ARCH IN FRONT OF BULKHEAD

Note the specific procedure with regard to the vehicle identification number (if necessary, order new body part with the vehicle identification number).

Operation is identical to REPLACING ENGINE SUPPORT IN FRONT OF BULKHEAD ON LEFT.

Replacing engine support with left wheel arch in front of bulkhead

Observe procedure of REPAIR STAGE 3.

Read contents of BODY, GENERAL.

Spot-weld bonding is used on this vehicle. Observe specific procedure .

Use only approved SPOT-WELDING APPARATUS for repairs.

Place vehicle on straightening bench.

Following new body parts are required (refer to OVERVIEW OF CONSUMABLES):

  • (1) Wheel arch, front
  • (2) Outer wheel arch carrier support
  • (3) Carrier support end plate
  • (4) A-pillar bulkhead
  • (5) Shaped part, wheel arch carrier support (not shown)
Body+and+Frame

Removal of engine support with wheel arch

Mark severance cut (1) roughly as pictured and cut.

Open spot-welded adhesive joints in area (2) Open welded connections in area (3).

Release metal section from cavity sealing (4) and remove.

NOTE: Separating cut (1) is only required for removal.

Body+and+Frame

Mark severance cut (1) as pictured and cut.

IMPORTANT: Cut outer metal panel only.

Open welded connections in areas (2).

Remove carrier support end plate metal section (3).

Body+and+Frame

Mark severance cut (1) as pictured and cut.

Body+and+Frame

Open welded connections in area (1).

Body+and+Frame

Open weld joint in area (1).

Body+and+Frame

Mark severance cut (1) in accordance with dimension and cut.

Dimension a = 110 mm from engine support edge.

Open welded connections in area (1).

Remove partial section (2).

Body+and+Frame
Body+and+Frame

Mark and cut severance cut (1) at a distance of approx. 25 mm to bulkhead cross member (2).

Open welded connections in areas (3).

Remove engine support with wheel arch.

NOTE: New part is installed with overlap in area of severance cut (1).

New part preparation

Release the applicable welded connections and remove metal sections that are not needed from the new wheel arch.

Mark severance cut (1) in accordance with vehicle and cut.

Open welded connections in areas (2).

Remove metal section (3).

NOTE: The metal section (3) is needed to close the engine support.

Body+and+Frame

Perform severance cut (1) according to illustration.

Carry out severance cut (2) in accordance with severance cut on vehicle + 15 mm extra material.

Mark further severance cuts in accordance with vehicle and cut.

Prepare REINFORCEMENT PLATES at severance cuts.

Adjust new parts to fit with alignment bracket or universal mounting.

Body+and+Frame

Adjust the new A-pillar bulkhead (1) in the area of the reinforcement plate (2).

(The new A-pillar bulkhead is set onto the reinforcement plate)

Body+and+Frame

Installation of engine support with wheel arch

Apply sealant to new CAVITY SEALING of wheel arch carrier support.

Install new parts and reinforcement plates with alignment bracket or universal mount and weld.

Weld the new part to the body in the areas (1) and (2)!

Body+and+Frame

NOTE: The bulkhead cross member (1) is filled with low-flammable cavity foam.

In case of smoke formation, stop the welding procedure and cool the welded area with compressed air if applicable.

  • (2) Bulkhead
  • (3) Engine support
Body+and+Frame

Weld new components in area (1) additionally.

Body+and+Frame

REPLACING ENTRANCE FOR FRONT RIGHT DOOR

Operation is identical to replacing FRONT LEFT DOOR ENTRANCE.

REPLACING RIGHT SIDE SILL

Operation is identical to replacing LEFT SIDE SILL.

Replacing the carrier support before the wheel arch on the left

Read contents of BODY, GENERAL.

Follow procedure for REPAIR STAGE 2.

STRIP DOWN vehicle.

The following new body parts are required (refer to OVERVIEW OF CONSUMABLES):

  • (1) Outer wheel arch carrier support
  • (2) Carrier support, inner wheel arch section
  • (3) Holder DSC (right side of vehicle only)

Following CONSUMABLES are required:

Body+and+Frame
Body+and+Frame

Removing carrier support

Open welded connections in area (1).

Body+and+Frame

Right side of vehicle only:

Open weld joint in area (1).

Body+and+Frame
Body+and+Frame

Mark severance cuts in accordance with specified dimensions and cut.

IMPORTANT: Fully sever the carrier support at severance cut (1)!

Only sever outer panel at severance cut (2)!

Dimension a = approx. 40 mm from bore hole Ø 20 mm.
Dimension b = approx. 50 mm from severance cut (1).

Open welded connections in areas (3).

Remove carrier support sections.

New part preparation

Mark new part in accordance with severance cut on vehicle (1) + 20 mm extra material and cut (2).

NOTE: Install new part overlapping in area of severance cut.

Body+and+Frame

Mark new part in accordance with severance cut on vehicle and cut (1).

For the severance cut, create a REINFORCEMENT PLATE (welded) from the trim of the new part.

Adjust new parts with add-on parts to fit and secure.

Body+and+Frame

In areas (1) to (3), introduce Ø 6.8 mm bore holes for blind rivets N1.

Body+and+Frame
Body+and+Frame

In areas (1) and (2) introduce one Ø 6.8 mm bore hole for blind rivets N1.

Body+and+Frame

Prepare area of overlap (1) for plug-welding.

Body+and+Frame

Prepare area of reinforcement plate (1) for plug-welding.

Body+and+Frame

Right side of vehicle only: Fit DSC (1) holder.

In areas (2), introduce three bore holes Ø 4.2 mm for blind rivets N3.

Remove new parts and deburr bore holes.

Body+and+Frame

IMPORTANT: Structure bonding! OBSERVE preparation of bonding surfaces.

Installing carrier support

Clean all bonding surfaces with cleaning agent R1.

Apply adhesive to bonding surfaces.

Install new parts with add-on parts and rivet with blind rivets.

Plug-weld in area of overlap (1).

At severance cut additionally set 4 metal active gas weld seams each with a length of 1 cm.

Body+and+Frame

Install and weld reinforcement plate in area of severance cut.

Clean bonding surfaces with cleaning agent R1.

Apply adhesive to bonding surfaces, and adjust and fix new part.

In areas (1) and (2), rivet each new part with 9 punch rivets N5.

In area of severance cut, weld new part and reinforcement plate.

IMPORTANT: Risk of damage to adhesive area! Avoid applying excessive heat to the neighboring adhesive areas!

Body+and+Frame

NOTE: Do not seal new parts in adhesive rivet areas (1) and (2).

After hardening of adhesive, in areas (2) and (3) install one EMC SCREW in each case.

Body+and+Frame

Replacing the carrier support before the wheel arch on the right

Note the specific procedure with regard to the vehicle identification number (if necessary, order new body part with the vehicle identification number).

Operation is identical to REPLACING CARRIER SUPPORT IN FRONT OF WHEEL ARCH ON LEFT.

STRIPPING OPERATIONS - REPLACING CARRIER SUPPORT IN FRONT OF LEFT WHEEL ARCH

NOTE: Owing to the different engine variants and equipment specifications, not all the components are taken into consideration.

The following list basically represents the removal sequence.

  • Disconnect battery earth lead (61 20 900 )
  • Remove bumper trim (51 11 156 )
  • Remove front panel (41 33 039)
  • Remove front underbody protection assembly (51 47 490 )
  • Remove front side panel (41 35 081)
  • Remove front wheel arch cover (front section) (51 71 038 )
  • Remove intake silencer housing (INTAKE SILENCER )
  • Partially release left wiring harness

Test yourself

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