BMW 7 Series: Replacing Rear Left Or Right Spring Strut Shock Absorber

WARNING: Prior to each use of special tool 31 3 340, it is essential to read the associated Owner's Handbook fully! All the safety information 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.

7. Do not compress coil spring to full extent.

Necessary preliminary work:

• Remove REAR SPRING STRUT SHOCK ABSORBER.

Removing:

Clamp special tool 31 3 341 (spring tensioner) in vice.

Fit special tools 31 3 351 from above on special tool 31 3 341 until retaining bolt (1) can be felt and heard to snap into place.

Fig. 141: Identifying Retaining Bolts With Special Tools (31 3 341 And 31 3 351)

Clean coil spring to remove all coarse dirt and mount on special tools 31 3 351 (holder).

WARNING: Coils of coil spring must be located completely in recesses of special tools 31 3 351 (holder)!

Compress coil spring until stress on piston rod is relieved.

Fig. 142: Compressing Coil Spring

Release nut with special tool 33 0 040 (socket wrench).

Remove plate and support bearing with spring pad.

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

Fig. 143: Tightening Screws On Strut Mounts

If necessary, remove support cup, auxiliary damper (1) with protective tube and spring pad (2) from shock absorber.

Fig. 144: Identifying Auxiliary Damper And Spring Pad

Relieve tension on coil spring and remove from special tools 31 3 351 (holder).

Fig. 145: Identifying Coil Spring With Special Tool (31 3 351)

Installation:

WARNING: Do not compress coil spring to full extent.

Coils of coil spring must be located completely in recesses of special tools 31 3 351 (holder)!

Tension coil spring.

Fig. 146: Identifying Coil Spring With Special Tool (31 3 351)

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

IMPORTANT: Coat contact surface of spring pad (2) to shock absorber with Circo Light.

Fig. 147: Identifying Auxiliary Damper And Spring Pad

Attach support cup to piston rod.

Insert shock absorber in tensioned coil spring.

Fig. 148: Inserting Shock Absorber In Tensioned Coil Spring

Check support bearing for damage, replace if necessary.

Attach support bearing and plate to piston rod.

IMPORTANT: One threaded bolt (1) on the support bearing must be on one plane with the bore in the rubber mount (2) and the opposite side of the bush (3).

Fig. 149: Identifying Threaded Pin, Rubber Mount And Bush

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

Tightening torque 33 52 2AZ.

Fig. 150: Tightening Screws On Strut Mounts

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

Fig. 151: Identifying Support Bearing And Coil Spring Alignment Area

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

Relieve tension on coil spring.

Fig. 152: Identifying Coil Spring Is Correctly Seating Position In Lower Spring Pad

Installation note:

• Secure upper spring strut in body.
• Align shock absorber eye to swivel bearing by turning shock absorber.
• Code spring strut with ISID tester and check software version.

REPLACING REAR LEFT OR RIGHT SUPPORT BEARING FOR SPRING STRUT/SHOCK ABSORBER

Installation note:

1. All screws, nuts, bolts and hose clamps removed during the repair must be replaced.

2. Retaining elements on chassis and suspension and steering parts must be replaced.

NOTE: Procedure is described in REPLACING REAR LEFT OR RIGHT SPRING STRUT SHOCK ABSORBER.

Springs With Suspension

REMOVING AND INSTALLING / REPLACING REAR LEFT OR RIGHT COIL SPRING

Installation note:

1. All screws, nuts, bolts and hose clamps removed during the repair must be replaced.

2. Retaining elements on chassis and suspension and steering parts must be replaced.

IMPORTANT:

• Both coil springs on the relevant axle must be replaced in the event of corrosion breakage.
• The spring pads at the top and bottom must also be renewed when replacing the coil springs.

NOTE: The coil spring is allocated in the BMW Electronic Parts Catalogue (EPC) under the item "Spring table" after the vehicle identification number has been entered and the optional equipments of the car have been selected.

NOTE: The process is described in REPLACING REAR LEFT OR RIGHT SPRING STRUT.

READ NEXT: