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How to change front strut mount on BMW E46 touring – replacement guide
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Important!
This replacement procedure can be used for:
BMW 3 Touring (E46) 330 d, BMW 3 Touring (E46) 330 xd, BMW 3 Touring (E46) 320i, BMW 3 Touring (E46) 318 i, BMW 3 Touring (E46) 328i, BMW 3 Touring (E46) 320 d, BMW 3 Touring (E46) 330 xd, BMW 3 Touring (E46) 330 xi, BMW 3 Touring (E46) 330 i, BMW 3 Touring (E46) 320 i, BMW 3 Touring (E46) 325 i, BMW 3 Touring (E46) 325 xi, BMW 3 Touring (E46) 320 d, BMW 3 Touring (E46) 318i, BMW 3 Touring (E46) 316 i, BMW 3 Touring (E46) 318 d, BMW 3 Touring (E46) 318 d … View more
The steps may slightly vary depending on the car design.
BMW 3 Touring (E46) 330 d, BMW 3 Touring (E46) 330 xd, BMW 3 Touring (E46) 320i, BMW 3 Touring (E46) 318 i, BMW 3 Touring (E46) 328i, BMW 3 Touring (E46) 320 d, BMW 3 Touring (E46) 330 xd, BMW 3 Touring (E46) 330 xi, BMW 3 Touring (E46) 330 i, BMW 3 Touring (E46) 320 i, BMW 3 Touring (E46) 325 i, BMW 3 Touring (E46) 325 xi, BMW 3 Touring (E46) 320 d, BMW 3 Touring (E46) 318i, BMW 3 Touring (E46) 316 i, BMW 3 Touring (E46) 318 d, BMW 3 Touring (E46) 318 d … View more
The steps may slightly vary depending on the car design.
How to change front strut mount / top munt BMW 3 (E46) Touring [TUTORIAL AUTODOC]

All the parts you need to replace – Strut Mount for 3 Touring (E46) and other BMW models
Top strut mount
Alternative products

Wire brush
WD-40 spray
Copper grease
Combination spanner #17
Combination spanner #19
Combination spanner #21
Drive socket # 13
Drive socket # 18
Drive socket # 21
HEX bit no.H6.
HEX bit no.H7.
Wheel impact socket #17
Shock absorber socket
Ball joint puller
Ratchet wrench
Torque wrench
Tap wrench
Crow bar
Hydraulic strut spring compressor
Hydraulic transmission jack
Fender cover
Wheel chock
Replacement: strut mount – BMW E46 touring. 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.
- All work should be done with the engine stopped.
Replacement: strut mount – BMW E46 touring. Take the following steps:
- Step 1Open the bonnet.
- Step 2Use a fender protection cover to prevent damaging paintwork and plastic parts of the car.
- Step 3Loosen the upper fastener of the shock strut mount. Use a drive socket #13. Use a ratchet wrench.
- Step 4Secure the wheels with chocks.
- Step 5Loosen the wheel mounting bolts. Use wheel impact socket #17.
- Step 6Raise the front of the car and secure on supports.
- Step 7Unscrew the wheel bolts.Replacement: strut mount – BMW E46 touring. Tip:To avoid injury, hold up the wheel when unscrewing the bolts.
- Step 8Remove the wheel.
- Step 9Clean the stabiliser link fasteners. Use a wire brush. Use WD-40 spray.
- Step 10Unscrew 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 11Treat the retaining bracket that secures the brake hose and the wiring harness. Use WD-40 spray.
- Step 12Disconnect the wiring and the brake hose from the bracket on the shock strut.
- Step 13Clean 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 14Unscrew the lower fastener connecting the shock strut to the steering knuckle. Use a drive socket #18. Use a tap wrench.
- Step 15Unscrew the ball joint fastening to the steering knuckle. Use a combination spanner #19.
- Step 16Support the arm. Use a hydraulic transmission jack.
- Step 17Disconnect the ball joint from the steering knuckle. Use a ball joint puller.
- Step 18Lower the hydraulic transmission jack by 10-15 cm.AUTODOC recommends:Replacement: strut mount – BMW E46 touring. Lower the transmission jack smoothly, without jerks, to avoid damaging components and mechanisms.
- Step 19Disconnect the lower arm from the steering knuckle.
- Step 20Prop up the steering knuckle. Use a hydraulic transmission jack.
- Step 21Release the lower fastener connecting the shock strut to the steering knuckle. Use a special drive socket to remove the shock absorber.
- Step 22Lower the hydraulic transmission jack by 10-15 cm.Replacement: strut mount – BMW E46 touring. AUTODOC experts recommend:Lower the hydraulic transmission jack smoothly, without jerks, to avoid damaging assemblies and mechanisms.
- Step 23Disconnect the steering knuckle from the shock absorber strut.
- Step 24Unscrew the top fastening of the shock strut mount. Use a drive socket #13. Use a ratchet wrench.AUTODOC recommends:Important! Hold the suspension strut while unscrewing the fastening bolts. BMW E46 touring
- Step 25Remove the suspension strut.
- Step 26Set the shock absorber strut on the spring compressor tool.Replacement: strut mount – BMW E46 touring. Tip from AUTODOC experts: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 27Remove the shock strut mount cap. Use a crowbar.
- Step 28Compress the spring.
- Step 29Treat the shock strut rod. Use a wire brush. Use WD-40 spray.
- Step 30Remove the strut piston rod nut. Use a combination spanner #21. Use HEX No.H6. Use a ratchet wrench.
- Step 31Remove the top strut mount. Use a crowbar.Replacement: strut mount – BMW E46 touring. AUTODOC recommends:Examine the shock absorber dust cap and the bump stop. Replace them if necessary.
- Step 32Install a new top shock strut mount. Use a crowbar.
- Step 33Tighten 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 34Decompress the spring.
- Step 35Remove the assembled shock strut.
- Step 36Install the shock strut mount cap.
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