Important!

This replacement procedure can be used for:
BMW 3 Convertible (E46) 323 Ci, BMW 3 Convertible (E46) 330 Ci, BMW 3 Convertible (E46) 320 Ci, BMW 3 Convertible (E46) 325 Ci, BMW 3 Convertible (E46) 320 Cd, BMW 3 Convertible (E46) 330 Cd, BMW 3 Convertible (E46) 318 Ci, BMW 3 Convertible (E46) 325 Ci, BMW 3 Convertible (E46) 330 Ci … View more

The steps may slightly vary depending on the car design.

How to change front springs / front coil springs on BMW 3 (E46) [TUTORIAL AUTODOC]

All the parts you need to replace – Springs for 3 Convertible (E46) and other BMW models

Coil spring

        Coil spring for 3 Convertible (E46) Petrol (170 hp)
      
        Coil spring for 3 Convertible (E46) Petrol (231 hp)
      
        Coil spring for 3 Convertible (E46) Petrol (170 hp)
      
        Coil spring for 3 Convertible (E46) Petrol (192 hp)
      
        Coil spring for 3 Convertible (E46) Diesel (150 hp)
      
        Coil spring for 3 Convertible (E46) Diesel (204 hp)
      
        Coil spring for 3 Convertible (E46) Petrol (150 hp)
      
        Coil spring for 3 Convertible (E46) Petrol (186 hp)
      
        Coil spring for 3 Convertible (E46) Petrol (228 hp)

Replacement: coil springs – BMW E46 convertible. List of the tools you'll need:

                        Wire brush
                      
                        WD-40 spray
                      
                        Copper grease 
                      
                        Combination spanner #17
                      
                        Combination spanner #19
                      
                        Drive socket # 13 
                      
                        Drive socket # 21 
                      
                        Drive socket # 22 
                      
                        HEX bit No.H7
                      
                        Shock absorber socket
                      
                        Wheel impact socket #17
                      
                        Ratchet wrench
                      
                        Torque wrench
                      
                        Tap wrench
                      
                        Crow bar
                      
                        Hydraulic strut spring compressor
                      
                        Hydraulic transmission jack
                      
                        Wheel chock

Buy tools

Replacement: coil springs – BMW E46 convertible. Tip from AUTODOC:

Both coil springs of the front suspension should be replaced simultaneously.
The replacement procedure is identical for the left and right coil springs of the front suspension.
All work should be done with the engine stopped.

Replacement: coil springs – BMW E46 convertible. Use the following procedure:

Step 1

Open the bonnet.
Step 2

Secure the wheels with chocks.
Step 3

Loosen the wheel mounting bolts. Use wheel impact socket #17.
Step 4

Raise the front of the car and secure on supports.
Step 5

Unscrew the wheel bolts.

AUTODOC recommends:
Important! Hold the wheel while unscrewing the fastening bolts. BMW E46 convertible
Step 6

Remove the wheel.
Step 7

Clean the fasteners connecting the stabiliser link to the shock strut, and those connecting the shock strut to the steering knuckle. Use a wire brush. Use WD-40 spray.
Step 8

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 9

Unscrew the ball joint fastening to the steering knuckle. Use a combination spanner #19.
Step 10

Unscrew the lower fastener connecting the shock strut to the steering knuckle. Use a drive socket #21. Use a tap wrench.
Step 11

Disconnect the wiring and the brake hose from the bracket on the shock strut.
Step 12

Release the lower fastener connecting the shock strut to the steering knuckle. Use a special drive socket to remove the shock absorber.
Step 13

Prop up the steering knuckle. Use a hydraulic transmission jack.
Step 14

Disconnect the lower arm from the steering knuckle.
Step 15

Lower the hydraulic transmission jack by 10-15 cm.

AUTODOC recommends:
Replacement: coil springs – BMW E46 convertible. Lower the transmission jack smoothly, without jerks, to avoid damaging components and mechanisms.
Step 16

Disconnect the steering knuckle from the shock absorber strut.
Step 17

Unscrew the shock absorber mount fastening. Use a drive socket #13. Use a ratchet wrench.
Step 18

Unscrew the upper fasteners of the shock strut.

AUTODOC recommends:
BMW E46 convertible – To avoid injury, hold the suspension strut while unscrewing the fastening bolts.
Step 19

Remove the suspension strut.
Step 20

Set the shock absorber strut on the spring compressor tool.

Replacement: coil springs – BMW E46 convertible. 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 21

Compress the spring.
Step 22

Remove the shock strut mount cap. Use a crowbar.
Step 23

Remove the strut piston rod nut. Use a drive socket #22. Use HEX No.H7.
Step 24

Remove the top strut mount.
Step 25

Release the coil spring.
Step 26

Remove the spring.
Step 27

Remove the shock absorber dust cap and the bump stop.

AUTODOC recommends:
Replacement: coil springs – BMW E46 convertible. Carefully inspect the mount, the boot, and the bump stop of the shock absorber. Replace if necessary.
Step 28

Install the spring on the shock absorber.
Step 29

Install the boot and a bump stop onto the shock absorber.
Step 30

Compress the spring.
Step 31

Install the upper strut mount and the strut mount bearing. Use a crowbar.
Step 32

Treat the fasteners of the shock strut mount. Use WD-40 spray.
Step 33

Tighten the shock strut piston rod nut. Use a drive socket #22. Use HEX No.H7. Use a torque wrench. Tighten it to 64 Nm torque.

Replacement: coil springs – BMW E46 convertible. AUTODOC experts recommend:
Check to make sure the spring is positioned correctly. Avoid its misalignment.
Step 34

Decompress the spring.
Step 35

Install the shock strut mount cap.
Step 36

Remove the assembled shock strut.
Step 37

Install the shock strut into the wheel arch.
Step 38

Secure the upper fasteners of the shock strut. Use a drive socket #13. Do not tighten it.
Step 39

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

Fix the shock absorber strut on the steering knuckle.
Step 41

Install and tighten a new bolt of the steering knuckle.
Step 42

Connect the lower arm to the steering knuckle.
Step 43

Remove the support from under the steering knuckle.

AUTODOC recommends:
BMW E46 convertible – Do not lower the transmission jack sharply to avoid damaging components and mechanisms of the car.
Step 44

Support the arm. Use a hydraulic transmission jack.
Step 45

Screw the fastener connecting the ball joint to the steering knuckle. Use a combination spanner #19.
Step 46

Tighten the lower fasteners connecting the shock strut to the steering knuckle. Use a drive socket #21. Use a torque wrench. Tighten it to 80 Nm torque.
Step 47

Fasten the brake hose on the strut. Connect the fastener of the ABS sensor cable to the shock absorber strut.
Step 48

Remove the support from under the arm.

AUTODOC recommends:
Replacement: coil springs – BMW E46 convertible. Lower the transmission jack smoothly, without jerks, to avoid damaging components and mechanisms.
Step 49

Secure the stabilizer link on the suspension strut. Use HEX No.H7. Use a combination spanner #17. Use a torque wrench. Tighten it to 55 Nm torque.
Step 50

Tighten the ball joint fastener. Use a combination spanner #19. Use a torque wrench. Tighten it to 65 Nm torque.
Step 51

Treat all joints of the arm. Treat the shock strut fasteners. Use copper grease.
Step 52

Clean the wheel rim mounting seat. Use a wire brush. Treat the contacting surface. Use copper grease.
Step 53

Install the wheel.

AUTODOC recommends:
Important! Hold the wheel while screwing in the fastening bolts. BMW E46 convertible
Step 54

Screw in the wheel bolts. Use wheel impact socket #17.
Step 55

Tighten the upper fasteners of the shock strut. Use a drive socket #13. Use a torque wrench. Tighten it to 34 Nm torque.
Step 56

Lower the car and working in a cross order, tighten the wheel bolts. Use wheel impact socket #17. Use a torque wrench. Tighten it to 120 Nm torque.
Step 57

Remove the jacks and chocks.
Step 58

Close the hood.

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