Struts are marked for right and left installation, and the procedure for front strut, upper strut mount, or spring replacement involves two main steps, The first is to work on the vehicle and carry out removing and replacing of the strut assembly and the second is to dismantle and assemble the various elements on a workbench with the help of special service tools. Start by lifting the car and, dropping the front wheel, dissecting the clip holding the brake fluid hydraulic line to the front strut; unscrew the upper stabilizer bar linking nut while holding the stabilizer bar link ball joint shaft using a slender wrench. Next, unplug the wheel speed sensor wire harness and brake pad wear sensor wire harness from the strut housing, unbolt the front strut pinch bolt and lift with a suitable jack the steering knuckle while pulling it apart from the strut. Maximum range of motion of the CV axle joint should not be exceeded through the steering knuckle, therefore this has to be supported. As an extra precaution in the event that the pinch collar on the steering knuckle gets stuck, BMW special tool 312230 may be required to increase the distance between the two pieces. For installation, position the strut over the alignment pins of the steering knuckle pinch collar and make sure that the areas where the pinch collar and stud clamp are to be assembled are free from oil and grease and locate the position of the strut centreing pin. Therefore, if the strut centering pin is not in place on the upper strut mount, then it is suggested that the positions of the studs be marked on the strut tower so as to be able to set the camber to this position when required. Tighten the spring strut so that is cannot drop out from below and then undo the upper strut mount nuts and carefully get the strut down out of the wheel arch, although the use of a spring compressor will give a little more clearance. The process is a reversal of the removal and involves such details as installation of the bolt head of the pin to the direction of travel, alignment of the steering knuckle with the pins of the strut body, and alignment check on completion.
