Withdrawal
Although strut assemblies do not always fail at the same time, replace the left and right strut as a pair to prevent possible loss of vehicle handling or ride.
1. Loosen but do not remove the front wheel bolts.
2. Jack up the front of the car and place it securely on axle stands.
3. Remove the front wheel.
4. Disconnect all brake hoses and electrical wires going to the suspension strut housing.
5. Disconnect electric sockets from system ABS if that is available.
6. If you are removing the left strut, disconnect the electrical connector from the brake pad wear sensor.
7. Give a bolt of fastening of the wheel gauge ABS if it is available. Remove the brake disc (see chapter Brake system).
8. Give these three bolts (indicated by arrows), and remove the brake mudguard.
9. Disconnect the stabilizer bar link from the strut body (see Section Removal and installation of the forward stabilizer).
10. Give bolts of fastening of the rotary lever to the case of a rack.
11. Pull out the bottom of the rack housing just enough to access the end of the pivot arm.
12. Support a rack and give three fixing nuts in the top part of the rack located in an impellent compartment, then remove a rack.
13. Remove rack assembly. If you need to replace the rack (or shock absorber cartridge), see Section Strut or shock/coil spring replacement.
Installation
Install in reverse order. Make sure the tab on the pivot arm aligns with the notch in the rack body.
BMW recommends using a special thread lubricant on the pivot arm mounting bolts. For all models, tighten the fastener to the correct torque.
At the end of work, have the front wheel alignment checked by a dealer or workshop and readjust if necessary.