How to change front strut mount on BMW 3 Coupe (E46) – replacement guide
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Important!
This replacement procedure can be used for:
BMW 3 Coupe (E46) 323 Ci,
BMW 3 Coupe (E46) 328 Ci,
BMW 3 Coupe (E46) 320 Ci,
BMW 3 Coupe (E46) 318 Ci,
BMW 3 Coupe (E46) 330 xi,
BMW 3 Coupe (E46) 320 Ci,
BMW 3 Coupe (E46) 325 Ci,
BMW 3 Coupe (E46) 316 Ci,
BMW 3 Coupe (E46) 318 Ci,
BMW 3 Coupe (E46) 330 Cd,
BMW 3 Coupe (E46) 330 Ci
…
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The steps may slightly vary depending on the car design.
This video shows the replacement procedure of a similar car part on another vehicle
All the parts you need to replace – Strut Mount for 3 Coupe (E46) and other BMW models
Top strut mount
Repair kit, suspension strut
Anti-Friction Bearing, suspension strut support mounting
Replacement: strut mount – BMW 3 Coupe (E46). AUTODOC experts recommend:
The replacement procedure is identical for the mounts of the left and right shock struts of the front suspension.
All mounts of the front shock struts should be replaced simultaneously.
Be sure to replace all self-locking nuts and bolts during installation.
Please note: all work on the car – BMW 3 Coupe (E46) – should be done with the engine switched off.
Carry out replacement in the following order:
Step 1
Secure the wheels with chocks.
Step 2
Loosen the wheel mounting bolts. Use wheel impact socket #17.
Step 3
Raise the front of the car and secure on supports.
Step 4
Unscrew the wheel bolts.
AUTODOC recommends:
Warning! To avoid injury, hold the wheel while unscrewing the fastening bolts. BMW 3 Coupe (E46)
Step 5
Remove the wheel.
Step 6
Clean the stabiliser link fasteners. Use a wire brush. Use WD-40 spray.
Step 7
Unscrew the fastener connecting the stabilizer link to the shock strut. Use a combination spanner #15. Use a drive socket #17. Use a ratchet wrench.
Step 8
Remove the stabilizer rod.
Step 9
Disconnect the ABS sensor wiring. Use a flat screwdriver.
Step 10
Clean the fastener connecting the tie rod end to the steering knuckle. Use a wire brush. Use WD-40 spray.
Step 11
Unscrew the end fastening nut to the steering knuckle. Use a combination spanner #22. Use Torx T45. Use a ratchet wrench.
Step 12
Disconnect the tie rod end from the steering knuckle.
Step 13
Clean the fasteners connecting the control arm to the subframe. Use a wire brush. Use WD-40 spray.
Step 14
Loosen the front fastener of the control arm. Use a combination spanner #18.
Step 15
Unscrew the rear fastener connecting the control arm to the subframe. Use a combination spanner #18 (2 pieces).
Step 16
Remove the rear fastener of the control arm.
Step 17
Clean the fasteners connecting the shock strut to the steering knuckle. Use a wire brush. Use WD-40 spray.
Step 18
Unscrew the lower fastener connecting the shock strut to the steering knuckle. Use a combination spanner #18. Use a drive socket #18. Use a ratchet wrench.
Step 19
Remove the fastening bolt.
Step 20
Release the lower fastener connecting the shock strut to the steering knuckle. Use a flat metal-working chisel. Use a hammer.
Step 21
Disconnect the steering knuckle from the shock absorber strut.
Replacement: strut mount – BMW 3 Coupe (E46). AUTODOC recommends:
Make sure that the steering knuckle is supported.
Step 22
Lower the car.
Step 23
Open the bonnet.
Step 24
Use a fender protection cover to prevent damaging paintwork and plastic parts of the car.
Step 25
Clean the fasteners of the shock strut upper mount. Use a wire brush. Use WD-40 spray.
Step 26
Unscrew the top fastening of the shock strut mount. Use a combination spanner #13. Use a drive socket #13. Use a ratchet wrench.
AUTODOC recommends:
BMW 3 Coupe (E46) – To avoid injury, hold the suspension strut while unscrewing the fastening bolts.
Step 27
Remove the suspension strut.
Step 28
Set the shock absorber strut on the spring compressor tool.
Replacement: strut mount – BMW 3 Coupe (E46). 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 29
Compress the spring.
Step 30
Treat the shock strut rod. Use a wire brush. Use WD-40 spray.
Step 31
Remove the strut piston rod nut. Use a drive socket #21. Use a ratchet wrench.
Step 32
Remove the top strut mount. Use a flat screwdriver.
Replacement: strut mount – BMW 3 Coupe (E46). Tip from AUTODOC experts:
Examine the shock absorber dust cap and the bump stop. Replace them if necessary.
Step 33
Clean the mounting seat of the shock strut mount. Use a wire brush. Use WD-40 spray.
Step 34
Install a new top shock strut mount.
Step 35
Tighten the shock strut piston rod nut. Use a drive socket #21. Use a torque wrench. Tighten it to 64 Nm torque.
Replacement: strut mount – BMW 3 Coupe (E46). Tip:
Check to make sure the spring is positioned correctly. Avoid its misalignment.
Step 36
Decompress the spring.
Step 37
Remove the assembled shock strut.
Step 38
Install the shock strut into the wheel arch.
Step 39
Screw the top fastening of the shock strut mount.
AUTODOC recommends:
BMW 3 Coupe (E46) – To avoid injury, hold the suspension strut while screwing in the fastening bolts.
Step 40
Tighten the upper fastener of the shock absorber strut mount. Use a combination spanner #13. Use a drive socket #13. Use a torque wrench. Tighten it to 34 Nm torque.
AUTODOC recommends:
To avoid injuries, hold the shock strut when screwing the fastening bolts in.
Step 41
Remove the fender protection cover.
Step 42
Close the hood.
Step 43
Raise the front of the car and secure on supports.
Step 44
Treat the shock strut mounting seat on the steering knuckle. Use a wire brush. Use WD-40 spray.
Step 45
Fix the shock absorber strut on the steering knuckle. Use a flat metal-working chisel. Use a hammer.
Step 46
Install the fastening bolt.
Step 47
Tighten the lower fasteners connecting the shock strut to the steering knuckle. Use a combination spanner #18. Use a drive socket #18. Use a torque wrench. Tighten it to 81 Nm torque.
Step 48
Connect the ABS sensor wiring.
Step 49
Install the rear fastener of the control arm.
Step 50
Screw the rear fastener connecting the control arm to the subframe. Use a combination spanner #18 (2 pieces).
Step 51
Ιnstall the transverse stabilizer link.
Step 52
Tighten the fastener connecting the stabilizer link to the shock strut. Use a combination spanner #15. Use a drive socket #17. Use a torque wrench. Tighten it to 58 Nm torque.
Step 53
Treat the shock strut fasteners. Use copper grease.
Step 54
Connect the tie rod end to the steering knuckle.
Step 55
Tighten the fastening nut connecting the tie rod end to the steering knuckle. Use a combination spanner #22. Use Torx T45. Use a torque wrench. Tighten it to 165 Nm torque.
AUTODOC recommends:
Important! Be sure to use new fasteners.
Step 56
Prop up the steering knuckle. Use a hydraulic transmission jack.
Step 57
Tighten the front fastener connecting the control arm to the subframe. Use a combination spanner #18. Use a torque wrench. Tighten it to 68 Nm torque.+90°
AUTODOC recommends:
Important! Be sure to use new fasteners.
Step 58
Tighten the rear fastener of the control arm. Use a combination spanner #18 (2 pieces). Use a torque wrench. Tighten it to 68 Nm torque.+90°
AUTODOC recommends:
Important! Be sure to use new fasteners.
Step 59
Treat all joints of the arm. Use copper grease.
Step 60
Remove the support from under the steering knuckle.
AUTODOC recommends:
Replacement: strut mount – BMW 3 Coupe (E46). Lower the transmission jack smoothly, without jerks, to avoid damaging components and mechanisms.
Step 61
Treat the surface where the brake disc contacts the wheel rim. Use copper grease.
Step 62
Clean the brake disk surface. Use a brake cleaner.
AUTODOC recommends:
Replacement: strut mount – BMW 3 Coupe (E46). After applying the spray, wait a few minutes.
Step 63
Install the wheel.
AUTODOC recommends:
Warning! To avoid injury, hold the wheel while screwing in the fastening bolts on the car. BMW 3 Coupe (E46)
Step 64
Screw in the wheel bolts. Use wheel impact socket #17.
Step 65
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 66
Remove the jacks and chocks.
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