Coupe

51 71 374 Removing And Installing/Replacing Reinforcement Plate On Front Axle Support

Special tools required:
- 00 9 120

CAUTION:
- Vehicles must not be driven without reinforcement plates.
- Driving without the reinforcement plate may damage the front axle.
- Screws of reinforcement plate must be tightened to torque and then tightened down with special tool 00 9 120 (angle-of-rotation measuring disk).

NOTE:
Reinforcement plate is fitted in:
- Coupes from 11/99
- All Convertibles
- All E46 models without 4WD from 12/2000







CAUTION:
- From 02/2001, use new 66 mm dia. control arm bearings and a new reinforcement plate. For these larger control arm bearings, there must be an impression (1) on the left/right in the reinforcement plate (2) (risk of damage).
- For further information, refer to Replacing control arm bracket.
- The difference can only be discerned by the removed reinforcement plate.

- Only cars up to 02/2001 with:
- Control arm bearing dia. 66 mm
- Old reinforcement plate (2) without impression (1)
- Insert a washer* in each case at rear screw-down points between reinforcement plate and body.
- *Sourcing reference: BMW Parts Service







If necessary, remove front underbody protection.
Unfasten screws (3).
Release screws (1) and (2) and remove reinforcement

CAUTION:
If necessary, insert washers at screw-down p between reinforcement plate and body, refer 2824.

Installation:
Replace screws (1) and (2).
- Install all screws
- Tighten screws (1) and (2) to torque and then 1 rotation,
3AZ Reinforcement plate to front axle support/engine carrier
- Tighten down screws (3).