How to change front coil springs on BMW E46 touring – replacement guide
BMW 3 Touring (E46) 320i, BMW 3 Touring (E46) 330 i, BMW 3 Touring (E46) 320 i, BMW 3 Touring (E46) 328i, BMW 3 Touring (E46) 320 d, BMW 3 Touring (E46) 330 d, BMW 3 Touring (E46) 325 i, BMW 3 Touring (E46) 320 d … 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]
Coil spring
- 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.
- Please note: all work on the car – BMW E46 touring – should be done with the engine switched off.
- 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.
AUTODOC recommends:Warning! To avoid injury, hold the wheel while unscrewing the fastening bolts. BMW E46 touring
- 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: coil springs – 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.
AUTODOC recommends:BMW E46 touring – Do not lower the transmission jack sharply to avoid damaging components and mechanisms of the car.
- 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.
AUTODOC recommends:BMW E46 touring – To avoid injury, hold the suspension strut while unscrewing the fastening bolts.
- Step 25
Remove the suspension strut.
- Step 26
Set the shock absorber strut on the spring compressor tool.
Replacement: coil springs – BMW E46 touring. Tip from AUTODOC: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.
AUTODOC recommends:Replacement: coil springs – BMW E46 touring. Carefully inspect the mount, the boot, and the bump stop of the shock absorber. Replace if necessary.
- Step 35
Install the boot and a bump stop onto the shock absorber.
- Step 36
Install the spring on the shock absorber.
- Step 37
Compress the spring.
- Step 38
Install the upper strut mount and the strut mount bearing.
- Step 39
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.
AUTODOC recommends:Check to make sure the spring is positioned correctly. Avoid its misalignment.
- Step 40
Decompress the spring.
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