Part 2: Installing shocks, struts and springs on a BMW 3 series 99 thru 05 (E46)
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- Опубліковано 4 жов 2024
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In Part-2 of this two part series, we will replace the rear shock and spring. See Part- for the front shock/spring/strut replacement.
The Bentley repair manuals will cover standard shock and spring replacement for the various BMW and MINI models. This DIY will assume that the DIYer has the applicable Bentley manual for additional reference as well as fastener torque values. Note that we will be installing the Bilstein PSS-10 coil-over kit. However, the procedures would be the same for any common shock/strut replacement (including installing sport springs, if desired).
PARTS USED:
• New shocks/struts (Bilstein, Koni, Sachs, etc.)
• New sport or stock replacement springs, if desired (BMW, BavAuto, Eibach, etc.)
• New Shock install kits (compression bumpers, dust shields, spring pads, etc.)
• New upper strut and shock mounts
• New strut & shock mount gaskets (as required)
• Rear shock mount reinforcing plates
TOOLS USED:
• Bentley Repair Manual
• BavAuto Non-Marring pry bar set
• 13mm through 18mm ½"drive socket & ratchet set with various extensions
• 4mm through 8mm Allen keys or bits (for ratchet use)
• 13mm through 18mm combination wrench set
• Assorted flat and Phillips screwdrivers
PROCEDURE:
REAR (applies directly to the E46 3-series, but the E36 3-series uses the same steps and procedures):
1) Safely raise the rear of car, with suspension hanging.
2) Remove the wheels.
3) Place a jack under the lower shock mount eye or the wheel hub assembly. Slightly raise the suspension (just enough to remove the downward tension on the shock).
4) Remove the lower shock mount bolt.
5) Lower the jack and allow the suspension to hang free.
6) Remove the trunk side trim panel to access the upper shock mount.
7) Remove the two 13mm nuts from the upper shock mount, at the top of the shock tower.
8) Lower the shock out of the vehicle.
9) Assemble the new shock with new compression bumper, dust tube and upper mount. Be sure to re-use the large lower and upper washers for the upper mount. These washers must cup away from the mount. lower washer cups downward and upper washer cups upward.
10) If the spring is being replaced, it can be removed BEFORE re-installing the shock. Have a helper pull downward on the wheel hub assembly and pull the spring out from between the chassis and the upper control arm.
11) Using new upper and lower spring pads, install the new spring in the same manner as the original was removed. Install the new spring pads, then install the spring.
12) Install the new shock. Place a new shock mount gasket on the shock mount and insert the assembly up into the shock tower. If installing a shock mount reinforcement plate, place the plate over the two shock mount studs, on top of the shock tower, before installing the two nuts. Install the two nuts. Install the trunk trim panel.
13) Install the lower shock mount bolt. Be sure to install the washer on the bolt before installing the bolt. Use the jack to raise the suspension assembly to align the lower shock mount with the hub mounting point, so the bolt can be inserted and threaded. Tighten the bolt.
14) Repeat for the other side.
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Your videos are almost unbelievable. Crystal clear images and a great pace on how you move through things. Cannot thank you enough. This really helps make the decision about who to order my refresh parts from when the time comes. The idea of DIY just got exciting!
Gee, Terry, you make us blush ........ Thanks for the good words as well as the future patronage!
I couldn't agree more. I'll definitely be getting more of my parts from Bavauto hereby forth. I am bookmarking this series.
weyderwarr
Thanks weyderwarr! Don't forget, you can call our advisors at 800-535-2002, as well.
I want this car!!! it's got to be the cleanest e46 ever!
Clear, calm instructions.
Very professional.
Fantastic video. You guys really a world apart
This video explains the spring better than the Bilstein manual... lol.
Again you make d job look easy as
Them little small details such as fitting the spring within the nipple other than "feeling" for reassurance torque specs if anything but other than that good video got me wanting to do it myself! By the way your the first I seen on UA-cam to literally pull the spring out without the need of a compression tool of some sort......🤔
Best professional video!! Good work
nice now i can do my suspension my self thanks for the tips
Excellent to Bavarian auto, thums up"
Detailed & explained professionally Great video ! Liked & Sub...
Great! Your videos are very informative.
That was great information my BF an I will use this soon.
Awesome video!
I really love that you do these videos, keep them coming. Can you tell me if this is the same basic steps for the Z4?
The E85 Z4 (through '08 in US) will be nearly identical to what is shown here on this E46 3-series. The E89 Z4 ('09 on) uses a different suspension design.
Good stuff buddy
One of my rear springs just broke and plan on replacing both springs and shocks with OEM at the same time. My question, is there a certain rotational position the rear springs should go in? I know OEM springs have a painted stripe on them is that supposed to be facing towards the wheel?
Your DIY's are simply amazing!
Honestly, I would just pull that sound dampening material out and toss it, replacing it with new dampening material of course. The compound used by BMW in these dampening pads is notorious to start giving off a terrible odor when it ages and gets exposed to heat. You might as well replace it while doing a coilover install, especially if it makes the installation easier. Just a heads up for people who don't want a stinky car in the future :) In a hot climate, this is just as inevitable as brittle hoses are in cold climates.
On the e46 the 325xi has a different coilovers
Amazing video ! Would you have a how to guide , to get to Rear strut on a E88 BMW 128i convertible ? I know for a Z4 you have to have soft top semi open to get to rear strut is it the same for an E88 ?
FOR THOSE THAT HAVE THE CRAYON SMELL!!! Removing that black insulation that covers the rear struts will get rid of your Crayon smell from your trunk and interior!!!
And it will introduce a bunch of road noise, pick your options
What about the part where you lower the car and push it forward to make sure the shocks are low enough?
Hi, noob question. How (if at all) does installing coil overs or lowering the vehicle affect the cars alignment? I would think it does, considering when you lower the suspension, the rest of the suspension components are affected (camber?). So in any event should the car have a 4 way wheel alignment pre or post installation of coil overs or any type of lowering? Thanks in advance. Good job on the videos....
After replacing OEM springs and shocks, do you need alignment?
The reinforcing plate comes with the Holstein or it's already in our bmws? and if not, why use a part that bow didn't't designed to be used originally?
hi, i can't find the reference of the shock absorber you are installing. can you tell me please? I have an e36. Thank you
Great video! Would this be the same for a 2008 535i
The E60 5-series suspension is a bit different from the E46 3-series shown here. Check out the video for the E90 3-series shock replacement as well (link below). Between the two, you should be able to handle your E60 5-series.
blog.bavauto.com/14344
Great! Your videos are very informative. I just installed a rear air spring and air compressor on my '99 E39 528it but not sure how to get both sides to lift at the same level. Any advise?
You may need a ride height calibration (assuming the install was done properly). This is performed using the BMW MoDic or similar diagnostic tool.
BavarianAuto Yes, it looks like the way to adjust the air suspension height correctly is through electronically reprograming. I was hoping it could of been done manually by adjusting the leveling sensor arms. Thanks for your reply. Your videos are also great in HD quality for details. If you have any E39 videos let me know.
The Bently manual says to remove the axle to replace the stock spring. Is that necessary?
Hi, according to you, do BILSTEIN B8 work well with lowered springs -20mm ??
Hi; do those shorter springs and hard shocks ruin the factory ride?
so the actual writing on the spring have to face outwards?
I installed the reinforcement plate on bottom instead of the top of the rear shocks, does that matter?
You did it correctly, the plate should go under the shock tower, not on top like the video incorrectly shows.
I have a question do this shocks lower your car because i was looking at autozone description and it said something about lowering the car
How you install rear shocks on 2001 bmw 325ci convertible? I can't reach it in to lose the nuts ? Any how you do it ?
Thanks for this video was really helpful how can I pay you? And also the suspension you installed is this also a coil over suspension which more wider rim will be ok for e46 not to hit the rear body wen go over the bumps???
If you have wheels that hit the body when the suspension is lowered, you have wheels that are too wide. the suspension should be able to move through the full range without the tires or wheels contacting the body.
Thanks for the helpfeul info but can I have part number for the ajustable rear upper mount...I can find them
Jason, Do you mean the adjustable spring perch for the Bilstein kit? These are not available separately. You could contact Bilstein for a replacement, if you currently have a coil-over Bilstein kit.
Hey otto. I am going to replace my rear shocks, Every time I hit a bump my diff jumps around and my DSC goes on it my e46. Do you think just doing the shocks and mounts could stop a lot of my issues? I feel like its kinda loud when I hit bumps in the back too so I think the mounts are gone too. Also... how did you get the back seat to fold down? lol I have a low end 325i so they didn't give me that feature.
Is it possible that because of this part ( 5:13 ) of the rear shocks are old, I hear a squeaking noise ? When Im driving low speed and go on a bump I can hear this noise from the rear. e46
So without clip on caliper will it makes clanking noise wen go over bumps??
Yes, the outer pad will rattle without the clip installed.
I have installed anti rattle clip on rear but still makes metal noise wen I go over the bumps any suggestion??
Does the rattle stop when you lightly apply the brakes (just enough to put a little tension on the pads)?
Hi, does the original bump stops has a washer installed in the top which holds it up or its separate? mines just wont stay up.
Most models, the bump stop just rides free on the shock shaft. If your bump stop slides down to sit on top of the shock, this is fine and normal.
Disphonic x - We can't reply directly to your comment as it was sent via Google.
Without driving the car, we can't say for sure, but if there is noise at the rear, over bumps, a good place to start is with the shock mounts. If the shocks are worn out, you should just replace the shocks and the mounts at the same time. Once this is done, we can see how the DSC issue goes. Call our advisors at 800-535-2002 for assistance in setting up the shocks and mounts, or visit our online store at www.bavauto.com
Installed Koni street shocks on my 2001 bmw 325ci, not sure where i went wrong, but now the passenger side front tire is rubbing, purchased all the replacement parts. I can't figure out why it's rubbing on the inside of the tire.
Is the shock body itself rubbing on the inner sidewall or is the lower spring seat rubbing on the tread shoulder? You may have the shock "clocked" wrong. In other words, turned to an incorrect position in the steering knuckle clamp.
BavarianAuto
First off thank you very much for your reply, it is the lower spring seat rubbing on the tread shoulder, when the car leans to the left there is no rubbing, when it leans back to neutral or to the right the rubbing gets louder.
I thought maybe i needed an alignment, so i got all 4 wheels balanced and rotated and also an alignment. Once i place the shock into the knuckle clamp, i line up the fins on the strut with the slot in the knuckle.
Hadrian Hugh
OK, the line-up (shock in the clamp) sounds fine. Have you tried swapping the left & right wheel/tire assemblies? Is the wheel bearing loose, by chance? Are the wheels the stock original wheels?
BavarianAuto
stock wheels and correct size tires, problem started immediately after i installed new shocks, I am not sure if wheel bearing loose, i can try to look that up and i haven't tried swapping left and right wheel tire assemblies.
Is this any different on an xi model? My 01 330xi was extra bouncy in the rear and then I heard a pop on the right side and now it's sagging. I'm thinking it's the shock absorber but could be the spring? Any input is appreciated. Also, are the parts interchangeable on the xi and other models?
If it is sagging, it is likely a broken spring .... very common on these models. The xi E46 3-series will be exactly as shown, in the rear.
Ok thanks alot will install clip than
I recently just changed the left rear mount strut for my e46 seems to have the same clanking noise as b4 but b4 i install the new mount strut i kicked the wheel seems to have the noise comming from caliper but have no clips on it so without clip on caliper will it make noise when go over bumps??
Yes, the outer brake pad will commonly rattle in the caliper if the anti-rattle clip is not installed.
If you lightly press the brake pedal, the rattle would stop, if this is the case.
BavarianAuto What are the anti rattle clips?
Official HD
The long clip on the outside of he caliper.
You can see it on the caliper in the video.
Where is part 1
lol i got an e36 a while back from a guy and it was lowered and the adjustemt mount is place at the bottom is that a problem????
Did you ever figure this out?? Mine is the exactly the same way lol
you could not pay me enough..
Over simplification of taking the coil spring out. No way near as easy as it is made out in this video.
sambking it is that simple in some cases, but like all things, your mileage may vary.