The great thing about this video is that it includes the reassembly! Most would just say "reassemble in reverse order" but this interior is so complicated that a guide putting all the piece back together is very helpful. Thanks!
ZAC - Much GRATITUDE for not showing undoing every thread of every screw and every bolt.. If you spent time in edit - fair play! regards from the You Kay
A word for those that have broken trim pieces. EVERY SINGLE piece of my rear end is now in shambles. Literally nothing came off in one piece. I pretty much need to replace that entire rear interior section of my wagon. The amount of joy I am experiencing currently cannot be expressed in words. (NOT)
Excellent tutorial Zach. No way I could have properly done this job without your instructions. I would have lost my patience in the middle of it or destroyed some parts before finally reaching the two 13 mm retaining nuts. Thank you.
Thanks for an excellent video. Don't think I would have got all the trim off in the right order and without destroying it had I not watched it. How hard do they make it to undo 2 bolts!
Thanks mate, that was a great guide. It took about ~1 hr to remove all the trim but I couldn't remove the 18mm bolt that holds the shock (rust fused it completely!). I'll see if I can get it free using "more imaginative" methods!
Thank you very much for this video, kept silent we to help a lot, we live in France and nobody makes a video of back shock absorbers, that we to help a lot!!!
Another tip, while everything is apart, now is a good time to install the factory alarm package. The tilt sensor is on the passenger side behind all that trim!
The washer provides a barrier that helps keep the nut tight and away from most movement, it's more likely it could back out without that little washer, might want to consider grabbing one from a hardware store and replacing it.
Thanks so much for this video. It's hard to find E46 wagon DIY videos. Do you have a similar video for fixing a nonworking upper brake light on the wagon?
there is a video if you just youtube "bmw e36 rear strut mount" the green gasket looks a lot thicker than the one you use in this video. Its the same kit as well.
hey, I seen a video on youtube with your shock mount repair kit, the gasket was about half and inch thick. Is that the actual size of your gaskets for your shock mounts?
for 99 5281 station vagon is it the same application sir????? rear right is low and level control system warning sign is on --- is air suspension shock spring also must be fix or what is the right way to decide it is either air syuspension or else? thanks greatfully
Hello Mr. Im in Fla. Have 1 ? Where do i get cheaper bump stops and absorbers for the rear shock or strut for 1996 e36 328i? BMW sales at $50 - $75 dollars each.
Tip: Replace rear shock mounts with heavy duty Meyle or even better go with Rogue Engineering improved RSM so that you sont have to take all the trim pieces off even again!! Trust me on this...
Hey the video is really helpful but I ran into a problem one of the torx screws shown in 2:35 is stuck even WD40 or other lubrication's did not help any ideas how to get it out of there?
+Im a Bird Caw On any fastener that is stuck we recommend penetrating oil and an impact gun. The jarring motion of the impact should break the fastener free.
+alex1nyny It would be similar but not 100% the same. The E60/E61 have a much different rear suspension and use "chapman struts' where they coil spring sits on the shock absorber. With this being said there are a few extra steps involved.
should have a nice warning to have plenty of patience and extra space because you're going to have a lot of panels that are very delicate to set apart while you do this and might as well do a whole bunch of other things while you're in there because you don't want to do this again or multiple times not fun cuz eventually you're going to break something
The reason for removing the D pillar cover with the light is to make removal of the plastic piece that sits underneath of it easier. Essentially the plastic trim cover running horizontally under the rear window partially sits under the D-pillar cover and it tends to obstruct removal of the lower trim piece. You may be able to get away with keeping it in place but it will be more difficult to remove the lower trim piece for sure.
Yeah I see that now. I had to do this the other day. I even took the black strip off under the tail gate. Quite a time consuming process replacing both. Thirty minutes of actually doing the shocks all the rest was like legos that can break
No kidding the 2 torx screws at 2:35 are a problem. The front one of the two is a bigger problem. The metal in the screw head is soft and I stripped it so that it was a round circle inside. Bad design from BMW for choosing a small torx size for a screw that doesn't loosen easily.
Watch out for al those brittle plastic parts. They snap under any quick motipns. Guys dont do this in winter when it is 20 below... trust me, you will go insane with smashed plastic. Wait for warm weather or do it in a heated garage.
Excellent Video! Helped me get the job done much quicker for sure. And you have good advice for everyone about replacing what is worn out. Thanks! Because I apparantly need to be a stickler/smartass, I will point out that BMW specifies a little washer (BMW PN: 33526779398) underneath the "retaining cover" (6:33) for extra support. Yes I think anyone will be fine without it haha. Also, here's a helpful parts diagram if anyone needs it: www.realoem.com/bmw/enUS/showparts?id=AR73-USA-12-2000-E46-BMW-325xi&diagId=33_0841
Shop the parts used here: www.fcpeuro.com/products/bmw-shock-absorber-rear-e30-325ix-touring-19-027531
Zach, this is a great DYI for Touring owners....Seems like the most challenging part is taking apart the interior.
There are a lot bigger channels than yours that could take some pointers from you on how to make a clear and concise tutorial. Well done sir!
Removing all the rear paneling.. you just saved my LIFE :)
The great thing about this video is that it includes the reassembly! Most would just say "reassemble in reverse order" but this interior is so complicated that a guide putting all the piece back together is very helpful. Thanks!
Glad you found the video helpful, Lisa!
ZAC - Much GRATITUDE for not showing undoing every thread of every screw and every bolt.. If you spent time in edit - fair play! regards from the You Kay
A word for those that have broken trim pieces. EVERY SINGLE piece of my rear end is now in shambles. Literally nothing came off in one piece. I pretty much need to replace that entire rear interior section of my wagon. The amount of joy I am experiencing currently cannot be expressed in words. (NOT)
Good tutorial thanks for putting up! Just fitted new rear shocks to my e46 touring!
Great video. Can't say I'm looking forward to doing this but the video was extremely helpful to know what all is involved, thanks!
Excellent tutorial Zach. No way I could have properly done this job without your instructions. I would have lost my patience in the middle of it or destroyed some parts before finally reaching the two 13 mm retaining nuts. Thank you.
Glad it helped you out!
Thanks for an excellent video. Don't think I would have got all the trim off in the right order and without destroying it had I not watched it. How hard do they make it to undo 2 bolts!
Thanks mate, that was a great guide. It took about ~1 hr to remove all the trim but I couldn't remove the 18mm bolt that holds the shock (rust fused it completely!). I'll see if I can get it free using "more imaginative" methods!
Thank you very much for this video, kept silent we to help a lot, we live in France and nobody makes a video of back shock absorbers, that we to help a lot!!!
Excellent tutorial! Thank you! The car is lifted or the jack is not actually needed?
Hey . Thanks for the video , I helped me get through the changing of my shocks and springs on my touring 325.
Goodman off to do mine both sides right now. Its a pity they couldn't just put a release cap over the strut for easy access.
@320dj That sounds great, I think it took us about the same amount of time.
Great video. I hope to get the shocks in a couple of days, now I know what I'm Getting into.. not too bad. Thanks very much for making this video.
You can do it!
Always replace the shock mount. The rubber will eventually die and you'll get a nasty noise over bumps, have to do this all over again. Nice video.
Another tip, while everything is apart, now is a good time to install the factory alarm package. The tilt sensor is on the passenger side behind all that trim!
Most use a sedan for tutorials. At least that's what I like to see. There's no similarities to the touring and sedan when doing the rear shocks.
The washer provides a barrier that helps keep the nut tight and away from most movement, it's more likely it could back out without that little washer, might want to consider grabbing one from a hardware store and replacing it.
Never unhook positive battery terminal without unhooking ground first. Ever.
It is very normal to be able to move the shock up and down by hand! New shocks do that as well!
Thanks so much for this video. It's hard to find E46 wagon DIY videos. Do you have a similar video for fixing a nonworking upper brake light on the wagon?
We don't have one yet, but I'll add it to our list and we'll get to it just as soon as we can.
Hey! Your video was awesome. Thanks for the help! With this tutorial everything went so smooth last night! :)
Great DIY!
Turing is much more complicate than sedan, fine job , oem Sachs struts seems to last longer.
Thank you very much.I done all with my ipad and your movie.
Excellent videos!!!!
Great guide, appreciate the effort!
Awesome job
Nice instructions! Thanks man :-)
Correct. Awesome tutorial.
thanks
there is a video if you just youtube "bmw e36 rear strut mount" the green gasket looks a lot thicker than the one you use in this video. Its the same kit as well.
You can replace them one at a time if the others are still in good condition.
Thanks bro!
can you done one to show how rear colis can be changed, my 2003 320cd needs it done asap
Thanks, man!
Stay tuned.
hi does the bump stops has a washer in the top to hold them up on the absorber? i think i broken mine because the protector wont stay up.
I have ordered Bilstein shocks here in Eu. Sad to say it didn't came with a washer that goes with the bolt attached to the lower shocks. Is it safe?
hey, I seen a video on youtube with your shock mount repair kit, the gasket was about half and inch thick. Is that the actual size of your gaskets for your shock mounts?
I've never seen one that's half an inch thick, it's just a simple seal to keep some water out.
Good job it really sucks to order parts from USA price is very good but UPS killing us with brokerage fees for Canada .
@325xitgrocgetter That's exactly it, on a sedan this same repair is a snap.
Some of the trim pieces might be a little different but overall it should be just about the same.
for 99 5281 station vagon is it the same application sir????? rear right is low and level control system warning sign is on --- is air suspension shock spring also must be fix or what is the right way to decide it is either air syuspension or else? thanks greatfully
i honestly didnt know if you were going to get to the bolt in this video...
Hello Mr. Im in Fla. Have 1 ? Where do i get cheaper bump stops and absorbers for the rear shock or strut for 1996 e36 328i? BMW sales at $50 - $75 dollars each.
Did this change your tide height at all?
Do you have to lift the car or keep it supported?
Had to tear half the interior apart to get that dam shock. Great video though.
Where is the video for E39 M5 shock replacement????
Great vid!
good tutorial but you should always replace the upper shock mount when doing this job.
Hello Rob, I agree that it's a good idea to replace the mount at the same time while everything is apart.
Tip: Replace rear shock mounts with heavy duty Meyle or even better go with Rogue Engineering improved RSM so that you sont have to take all the trim pieces off even again!! Trust me on this...
Hey the video is really helpful but I ran into a problem one of the torx screws shown in 2:35 is stuck even WD40 or other lubrication's did not help any ideas how to get it out of there?
+Im a Bird Caw On any fastener that is stuck we recommend penetrating oil and an impact gun. The jarring motion of the impact should break the fastener free.
can I just replace one for do they need to be replaced as a set.
Thats the truth!
awesome video! 1 question, would it be similar for an E61? thanks a lot!!!
+alex1nyny It would be similar but not 100% the same. The E60/E61 have a much different rear suspension and use "chapman struts' where they coil spring sits on the shock absorber. With this being said there are a few extra steps involved.
should have a nice warning to have plenty of patience and extra space because you're going to have a lot of panels that are very delicate to set apart while you do this and might as well do a whole bunch of other things while you're in there because you don't want to do this again or multiple times not fun cuz eventually you're going to break something
Спасибо, помог.
Check out the link in the description, FCP has bump stops for $19.55
Is it the same for an E36?
And now I know. What a pain this job is. It's like a Lego set from hell.
dose car need to be lifted???
Спасибо. Инструкция безупречная.
What about changing the other side schock absorber ,is it exactly this some? or are some differences?
Hello, the install will be the same for the other side.
Man....so much quicker in a sedan lol. Why'd u remove the back trim piece with the light? Gotta go do this right now. Guess I'll find out
The reason for removing the D pillar cover with the light is to make removal of the plastic piece that sits underneath of it easier. Essentially the plastic trim cover running horizontally under the rear window partially sits under the D-pillar cover and it tends to obstruct removal of the lower trim piece. You may be able to get away with keeping it in place but it will be more difficult to remove the lower trim piece for sure.
Yeah I see that now. I had to do this the other day. I even took the black strip off under the tail gate. Quite a time consuming process replacing both. Thirty minutes of actually doing the shocks all the rest was like legos that can break
No kidding the 2 torx screws at 2:35 are a problem. The front one of the two is a bigger problem. The metal in the screw head is soft and I stripped it so that it was a round circle inside. Bad design from BMW for choosing a small torx size for a screw that doesn't loosen easily.
torx are known for being unstripable when using the right bi. your dumbass was obviously using the wrong size.
Watch out for al those brittle plastic parts. They snap under any quick motipns. Guys dont do this in winter when it is 20 below... trust me, you will go insane with smashed plastic. Wait for warm weather or do it in a heated garage.
Does it make a difference if my car has stability control?
gas shock absorber change???
Csaba Borbáth It's the same repair as long as it's the same chassis.
Excellent Video! Helped me get the job done much quicker for sure. And you have good advice for everyone about replacing what is worn out. Thanks!
Because I apparantly need to be a stickler/smartass, I will point out that BMW specifies a little washer (BMW PN: 33526779398) underneath the "retaining cover" (6:33) for extra support. Yes I think anyone will be fine without it haha.
Also, here's a helpful parts diagram if anyone needs it:
www.realoem.com/bmw/enUS/showparts?id=AR73-USA-12-2000-E46-BMW-325xi&diagId=33_0841
is bmw e46 2002 GAS SHOCK ABSORBER STRUTS
check realoem to see if an air bag exists, for E61 the air bag can be replaced without removing interior trims
fanstastic diy. thatr a lot of shit to remove to get to 2 fuckn bolts. uggg. please do the same diyon the e60 sedan!!
Huuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuurry...