Important!

This replacement procedure can be used for:
BMW 3 Saloon (E36) 316i, BMW 3 Saloon (E36) 316i, BMW 3 Saloon (E36) 318i, BMW 3 Saloon (E36) 318is, BMW 3 Saloon (E36) 320i, BMW 3 Saloon (E36) 325i, BMW 3 Saloon (E36) 325 td, BMW 3 Saloon (E36) 325tds, BMW 3 Saloon (E36) 318 tds 1.7, BMW 3 Saloon (E36) 328i, BMW 3 Saloon (E36) 318i, BMW 3 Saloon (E36) 318is … View more

The steps may slightly vary depending on the car design.

How to change front strut mount on BMW E36 [TUTORIAL AUTODOC]

All the parts you need to replace – Strut Mount for 3 Saloon (E36) and other BMW models

Alternative products

Top strut mount

Replacement: strut mount – BMW E36. Tools you might need:

                      Wire brush
                    
                      WD-40 spray
                    
                      Brake cleaner 
                    
                      Copper grease 
                    
                      Torque wrench
                    
                      Combination spanner #18
                    
                      Drive socket # 9
                    
                      Drive socket # 13
                    
                      Drive socket # 18
                    
                      Drive socket # 19
                    
                      Drive socket # 22
                    
                      Wheel impact socket #17
                    
                      Ratchet wrench
                    
                      Crow bar
                    
                      Hydraulic strut spring compressor
                    
                      Hydraulic transmission jack
                    
                      Fender cover
                    
                      Wheel chock

Buy tools

Replacement: strut mount – BMW E36. Tip from AUTODOC:

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.
All work should be done with the engine stopped.

Replacement: strut mount – BMW E36. Use the following procedure:

Step 1

Open the bonnet.
Step 2

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

Secure the wheels with chocks.

Step 4

Clean the fasteners of the shock strut upper mount. Use a wire brush. Use WD-40 spray.
Step 5

Loosen the upper fasteners of the suspension strut. Use a drive socket #13. Use a ratchet wrench.
Step 6

Loosen the wheel mounting bolts. Use wheel impact socket #17.
Step 7

Raise the front of the car and secure on supports.
Step 8

Unscrew the wheel bolts.

AUTODOC recommends:
Warning! To avoid injury, hold the wheel while unscrewing the fastening bolts. BMW E36
Step 9

Remove the wheel.
Step 10

Clean the fasteners connecting the shock strut to the steering knuckle. Use a wire brush. Use WD-40 spray.
Step 11

Unscrew the fasteners connecting the suspension strut to the steering knuckle. Use a combination spanner #18. Use a drive socket #18. Use a ratchet wrench.
Step 12

Detach the brake hose from the shock strut.
Step 13

Disconnect the ABS sensor wiring.
Step 14

Prop up the steering knuckle. Use a hydraulic transmission jack.
Step 15

Remove the fastening bolts.
Step 16

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

Unscrew the upper fasteners of the shock strut.

AUTODOC recommends:
BMW E36 – To avoid injury, hold the suspension strut while unscrewing the fastening bolts.
Step 18

Remove the suspension strut.
Step 19

Set the shock absorber strut on the spring compressor tool.

Replacement: strut mount – BMW E36. 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 20

Compress the spring.
Step 21

Remove the shock strut mount cap. Use a crowbar.
Step 22

Treat the shock strut rod. Use a wire brush. Use WD-40 spray.
Step 23

Remove the strut piston rod nut. Use a drive socket #9. Use a drive socket #22. Use a ratchet wrench.
Step 24

Remove the shock absorber mount, boot and bump stop.

Replacement: strut mount – BMW E36. AUTODOC experts recommend:
Examine the shock absorber dust cap and the bump stop. Replace them if necessary.
Step 25

Install the boot and a bump stop onto the shock absorber.
Step 26

Install a new top shock strut mount.
Step 27

Tighten the shock strut piston rod nut. Use a drive socket #19. Use a drive socket #9. Use a torque wrench. Tighten it to 52 Nm torque.

Replacement: strut mount – BMW E36. Tip from AUTODOC experts:
Check to make sure the spring is positioned correctly. Avoid its misalignment.
Step 28

Treat the shock strut rod. Use copper grease.
Step 29

Install the shock strut mount cap.
Step 30

Decompress the spring.
Step 31

Remove the assembled shock strut.
Step 32

Treat the shock strut mounting seat on the steering knuckle. Use a wire brush. Use WD-40 spray.
Step 33

Install the shock strut into the wheel arch.
Step 34

Secure the upper fasteners of the shock strut. Do not tighten it.

AUTODOC recommends:
BMW E36 – To avoid injury, hold the suspension strut while screwing in the fastening bolts.
Step 35

Fix the shock absorber strut on the steering knuckle.
Step 36

Install the fastening bolts.
Step 37

Remove the support from under the steering knuckle.

AUTODOC recommends:
Replacement: strut mount – BMW E36. Lower the transmission jack smoothly, without jerks, to avoid damaging components and mechanisms.
Step 38

Screw in the fasteners connecting the suspension strut to the steering knuckle. Use a combination spanner #18. Use a drive socket #18. Use a ratchet wrench.

Step 39

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 107 Nm torque.
Step 40

Attach the brake hose.
Step 41

Connect the ABS sensor wiring.
Step 42

Treat the shock strut fasteners. Use copper grease.
Step 43

Clean the wheel rim mounting seat. Use a wire brush.
Step 44

Treat the surface where the brake disc contacts the wheel rim. Use copper grease.
Step 45

Clean the brake disk surface. Use a brake cleaner.

AUTODOC recommends:
Replacement: strut mount – BMW E36. After applying the spray, wait a few minutes.
Step 46

Install the wheel.

AUTODOC recommends:
Warning! To avoid injury, hold the wheel while screwing in the fastening bolts on the car. BMW E36
Step 47

Screw in the wheel bolts. Use wheel impact socket #17.
Step 48

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 49

Remove the jacks and chocks.
Step 50

Tighten the upper fasteners of the shock strut. Use a drive socket #13. Use a torque wrench. Tighten it to 32 Nm torque.
Step 51

Treat the shock strut fasteners. Use copper grease.
Step 52

Remove the fender protection cover.
Step 53

Close the hood.

Was this manual helpful?

Please rate this manual on a scale from 1 to 5. If you have any questions, feel free to ask us.

Need New Tyres?

Find out which tyre and wheel sizes are compatible with the BMW 3 Saloon (E36) model

E36 tyre size

How to change front anti roll bar links on BMW E36 – replacement guide

Free download PDF
1.55 MB
How to change front wheel bearing on BMW E36 – replacement guide

Free download PDF
2.15 MB
How to change rear anti roll bar links on BMW E36 – replacement guide

Free download PDF
1.74 MB
How to change rear strut mount on BMW E36 – replacement guide

Free download PDF
2.27 MB
How to change rear suspension lower control arm on BMW 3 Saloon (E36) – replacement guide

Free download PDF
1.93 MB
How to change front brake pads on BMW E36 – replacement guide

Free download PDF
1.73 MB

How to change rear strut mount on BMW 3 Saloon (E90) – replacement guide

Free download PDF
2.27 MB
How to change front strut mount on BMW E90 – replacement guide

Free download PDF
2.48 MB
How to change rear strut mount on BMW 3 Saloon (E46) – replacement guide

Free download PDF
2 MB
How to change front strut mount on BMW 3 Saloon (E46) – replacement guide

Free download PDF
2.27 MB
How to change rear strut mount on BMW 3 Coupe (E92) – replacement guide

Free download PDF
2.29 MB
How to change front strut mount on BMW 3 Coupe (E92) – replacement guide

Free download PDF
2.27 MB

Unlock your car maintenance assistant!

Track expenses, manage logs, schedule replacements, and more.

DIY car soundproofing | AUTODOC tips

104K views

Published on: 15/04/2021
How to repair a bumper yourself | AUTODOC tips

16K views

Published on: 01/06/2023
Why Checking Your Oil is Crucial for Engine Performance

6K views

Published on: 23/02/2023
K2 ROTON wheel cleaner overview

3K views

Published on: 27/03/2025