How to change a front shock strut on BMW 3 (E46) [TUTORIAL AUTODOC]

All the parts you need to replace – Shock Absorber for 3 Touring (E46) and other BMW models

Shock absorber

Suspension Strut

        Shock absorber for BMW 3 Touring (E46) 320 i Petrol (150 hp)
      
        Shock absorber for BMW 3 Touring (E46) 318 i Petrol (118 hp)
      
        Shock absorber for BMW 3 Touring (E46) 328 i Petrol (193 hp)
      
        Shock absorber for BMW 3 Touring (E46) 330 i Petrol (231 hp)
      
        Shock absorber for BMW 3 Touring (E46) 318 i Petrol (143 hp)

Step 1

Open the bonnet.
Step 2

Use a fender protection cover to prevent damaging paintwork and plastic parts of the car.
Step 3

Loosen the upper fastener of the shock strut mount. Use a drive socket #13. Use a ratchet wrench.
Step 4

Secure the wheels with chocks.
Step 5

Loosen the wheel mounting bolts. Use wheel impact socket #17.
Step 6

Raise the front of the car and secure on supports.
Step 7

Unscrew the wheel bolts.

Replacement: suspension strut – BMW E46 touring. AUTODOC experts recommend:
To avoid injury, hold up the wheel when unscrewing the bolts.
Step 8

Remove the wheel.
Step 9

Clean the stabiliser link fasteners. Use a wire brush. Use WD-40 spray.
Step 10

Unscrew the nut and remove the stabilizer rod from the shock strut. Use HEX No.H7. Use a combination spanner #17. Use a ratchet wrench.
Step 11

Treat the retaining bracket that secures the brake hose and the wiring harness. Use WD-40 spray.
Step 12

Disconnect the wiring and the brake hose from the bracket on the shock strut.
Step 13

Clean the fasteners connecting the shock strut to the steering knuckle. Clean the fastener connecting the ball joint to the steering knuckle. Use a wire brush. Use WD-40 spray.
Step 14

Unscrew the lower fastener connecting the shock strut to the steering knuckle. Use a drive socket #18. Use a tap wrench.
Step 15

Unscrew the ball joint fastening to the steering knuckle. Use a combination spanner #19.
Step 16

Support the arm. Use a hydraulic transmission jack.
Step 17

Disconnect the ball joint from the steering knuckle. Use a ball joint puller.
Step 18

Lower the hydraulic transmission jack by 10-15 cm.

AUTODOC recommends:
Replacement: suspension strut – BMW E46 touring. Lower the transmission jack smoothly, without jerks, to avoid damaging components and mechanisms.
Step 19

Disconnect the lower arm from the steering knuckle.
Step 20

Prop up the steering knuckle. Use a hydraulic transmission jack.
Step 21

Release the lower fastener connecting the shock strut to the steering knuckle. Use a special drive socket to remove the shock absorber.
Step 22

Lower the hydraulic transmission jack by 10-15 cm.

Replacement: suspension strut – BMW E46 touring. Tip:
Lower the hydraulic transmission jack smoothly, without jerks, to avoid damaging assemblies and mechanisms.
Step 23

Disconnect the steering knuckle from the shock absorber strut.
Step 24

Unscrew the top fastening of the shock strut mount. Use a drive socket #13. Use a ratchet wrench.

Replacement: suspension strut – BMW E46 touring. Tip from AUTODOC experts:
To avoid injuries, hold the shock strut when undoing the fastening bolts.
Step 25

Remove the suspension strut.
Step 26

Set the shock absorber strut on the spring compressor tool.

Replacement: suspension strut – BMW E46 touring. Professionals recommend:
Note that when using a spring compressor, spring coils need to be securely gripped, compressing the spring on the opposite sides.Ensure the correct position of the spring in the retainer.Make sure that the spring coils tightly entered the lock handles.
Step 27

Remove the shock strut mount cap. Use a crowbar.
Step 28

Compress the spring.
Step 29

Treat the shock strut rod. Use a wire brush. Use WD-40 spray.
Step 30

Remove the strut piston rod nut. Use a combination spanner #21. Use HEX No.H6. Use a ratchet wrench.
Step 31

Remove the top strut mount. Use a crowbar.
Step 32

Release the coil spring.
Step 33

Remove the spring.
Step 34

Remove the shock absorber dust cap and the bump stop.
Step 35

Remove the old shock absorber from the hydraulic coil spring compressor.

AUTODOC recommends:
Replacement: suspension strut – BMW E46 touring. Carefully inspect the mount, the boot, and the bump stop of the shock absorber. Replace if necessary.Before installing a new shock absorber you should pump it manually 3-5 times.
Step 36

Install the new shock absorber on the hydraulic coil spring compressor.
Step 37

Install the dust sleeve and the bump stop on the new shock absorber.
Step 38

Install the spring on the shock absorber.
Step 39

Compress the spring.
Step 40

Install the upper strut mount and the strut mount bearing.
Step 41

Tighten the shock strut piston rod nut. Use a drive socket #21. Use HEX No.H6. Use a torque wrench. Tighten it to 64 Nm torque.

Replacement: suspension strut – BMW E46 touring. Tip from AUTODOC:
Check to make sure the spring is positioned correctly. Avoid its misalignment.
Step 42

Decompress the spring.
Step 43

Remove the assembled shock strut.
Step 44

Install the shock strut mount cap.
Step 45

Install the shock strut into the wheel arch.
Step 46

Screw the top fastening of the shock strut mount. Use a drive socket #13. Do not tighten it.

AUTODOC recommends:
BMW E46 touring – To avoid injury, hold the suspension strut while screwing in the fastening bolts.
Step 47

Treat the shock strut mounting seat on the steering knuckle. Use a wire brush. Use WD-40 spray.
Step 48

Prop up the steering knuckle. Use a hydraulic transmission jack.
Step 49

Fix the shock absorber strut on the steering knuckle.
Step 50

Tighten the lower fasteners connecting the shock strut to the steering knuckle. Use a drive socket #18. Use a torque wrench. Tighten it to 80 Nm torque.
Step 51

Remove the support from under the steering knuckle.

Replacement: suspension strut – BMW E46 touring. AUTODOC recommends:
Lower the hydraulic transmission jack smoothly, without jerks, to avoid damaging assemblies and mechanisms.
Step 52

Clean the ball joint mounting seat. Use a wire brush. Use WD-40 spray.
Step 53

Treat the fasteners connecting the control arm to the steering knuckle. Use copper grease.
Step 54

Connect the lower arm to the steering knuckle.
Step 55

Install the control arm fasteners.
Step 56

Support the arm. Use a hydraulic transmission jack.
Step 57

Screw the fastener connecting the ball joint to the steering knuckle. Use a combination spanner #19. Use a torque wrench. Tighten it to 65 Nm torque.
Step 58

Treat the shock strut fasteners. Treat all joints of the arm. Use copper grease.

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