Important!

This replacement procedure can be used for:
BMW X3 (E83) xDrive 20 d, BMW X3 (E83) xDrive 30 d, BMW X3 (E83) xDrive 30 i, BMW X3 (E83) 3.0 i xDrive, BMW X3 (E83) 2.5 i, BMW X3 (E83) 3.0 d, BMW X3 (E83) 2.0 d, BMW X3 (E83) 2.0 i, BMW X3 (E83) 3.0 d, BMW X3 (E83) 3.0 si, BMW X3 (E83) 2.5 si, BMW X3 (E83) 3.0 sd, BMW X3 (E83) 2.0 sd, BMW X3 (E83) xDrive 20 i, BMW X3 (E83) xDrive 25 i, BMW X3 (E83) xDrive 30 i, BMW X3 (E83) xDrive 20 d, BMW X3 (E83) xDrive 18 d, BMW X3 (E83) xDrive 30 d, BMW X3 (E83) xDrive 35 d, BMW X3 (E83) 2.5 i, BMW X3 (E83) 2.5 si xDrive, BMW X3 (E83) 3.0 i, BMW X3 (E83) 3.0 si … View more

The steps may slightly vary depending on the car design.

How to change front strut mount on BMW X3 E83 [TUTORIAL AUTODOC]

All the parts you need to replace – Strut Mount for X3 (E83) and other BMW models

Top strut mount

Repair kit, suspension strut

Anti-Friction Bearing, suspension strut support mounting

Supporting Ring, suspension strut bearing

Suspension Strut Mounting

        Top strut mount for BMW X3 (E83) xDrive 20 d Diesel (163 hp)
      
        Top strut mount for BMW X3 (E83) xDrive 30 d Diesel (211 hp)
      
        Top strut mount for BMW X3 (E83) xDrive 30 i Petrol (218 hp)
      
        Top strut mount for BMW X3 (E83) 3.0 i xDrive Petrol (231 hp)
      
        Top strut mount for BMW X3 (E83) 2.5 i Petrol (192 hp)
      
        Top strut mount for BMW X3 (E83) 3.0 d Diesel (204 hp)
      
        Top strut mount for BMW X3 (E83) 2.0 d Diesel (150 hp)
      
        Top strut mount for BMW X3 (E83) 2.0 i Petrol (150 hp)
      
        Top strut mount for BMW X3 (E83) 3.0 d Diesel (218 hp)

Replacement: strut mount – BMW X3 E83. Tools you might need:

                        Wire brush
                      
                        WD-40 spray
                      
                        Brake cleaner 
                      
                        Copper grease 
                      
                        Torque wrench
                      
                        Combination spanner #16
                      
                        Drive socket # 13 
                      
                        Drive socket # 16 
                      
                        Drive socket # 18 
                      
                        Drive socket # 19 
                      
                        Drive socket # 21 
                      
                        HEX bit No.H6
                      
                        Shock absorber socket
                      
                        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 X3 E83. 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.
Please note: all work on the car – BMW X3 E83 – should be done with the engine switched off.

Carry out replacement in the following order:

Step 1

Open the bonnet.
Step 2

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

Clean the fasteners of the shock strut upper mount. Use a wire brush. Use WD-40 spray.
Step 4

Loosen the upper fasteners of the suspension strut. Use a drive socket #13. Use a ratchet wrench.
Step 5

Secure the wheels with chocks.

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 X3 E83
Step 9

Remove the wheel.
Step 10

Disconnect the brake hose.
Step 11

Clean the stabiliser link fasteners. Use a wire brush. Use WD-40 spray.
Step 12

Unscrew the fastener connecting the stabilizer link to the shock strut. Use a drive socket #16. Use a ratchet wrench.
Step 13

Remove the stabilizer rod.
Step 14

Disconnect the ABS sensor wiring.
Step 15

Clean the lower fastener connecting the suspension strut to the steering knuckle. Use a wire brush. Use WD-40 spray.

Step 16

Unscrew the lower fastener connecting the shock strut to the steering knuckle. Use a combination spanner #16. Use a drive socket #18. Use a ratchet wrench.
Step 17

Remove the fastening bolt.
Step 18

Prop up the steering knuckle. Use a hydraulic transmission jack.
Step 19

Release the lower fastener connecting the shock strut to the steering knuckle. Use a special drive socket to remove the shock absorber. Use a ratchet wrench.
Step 20

Clean all joints of the arm. Use a wire brush. Use WD-40 spray.

AUTODOC recommends:
Replacement: strut mount – BMW X3 E83. After applying the spray, wait a few minutes.
Step 21

Unscrew the fastener connecting the control arm to the subframe. Use a combination spanner #16. Use a drive socket #18. Use a ratchet wrench.
Step 22

Lower the hydraulic transmission jack by 10-15 cm.

Step 23

Disconnect the steering knuckle from the shock absorber strut.
Step 24

Unscrew the upper fasteners of the shock strut.

AUTODOC recommends:
BMW X3 E83 – 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: strut mount – BMW X3 E83. 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 27

Compress the spring.
Step 28

Remove the shock strut mount cap. Use a crowbar.
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 drive socket #21. Use HEX No.H6. Use a ratchet wrench.
Step 31

Remove the top strut mount.

Replacement: strut mount – BMW X3 E83. AUTODOC recommends:
Examine the shock absorber dust cap and the bump stop. Replace them if necessary.
Step 32

Install a new top shock strut mount.
Step 33

Tighten the shock strut piston rod nut. Use a drive socket #19. Use HEX No.H6. Use a torque wrench. Tighten it to 64 Nm torque.

Replacement: strut mount – BMW X3 E83. Tip from AUTODOC experts:
Check to make sure the spring is positioned correctly. Avoid its misalignment.
Step 34

Treat the shock strut rod. Use copper grease.
Step 35

Install the shock strut mount cap.

Step 36

Decompress the spring.
Step 37

Remove the assembled shock strut.
Step 38

Clean the mounting seats of the shock strut. Use a wire brush. Use WD-40 spray.
Step 39

Install the shock strut into the wheel arch.
Step 40

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

AUTODOC recommends:
BMW X3 E83 – To avoid injury, hold the suspension strut while screwing in the fastening bolts.
Step 41

Treat the shock strut mounting seat on the steering knuckle. Use a wire brush. Use WD-40 spray.
Step 42

Fix the shock absorber strut on the steering knuckle.
Step 43

Install the fastening bolt.
Step 44

Screw in the fastener that connects the shock strut to the steering knuckle. Use a combination spanner #16. Use a drive socket #18. Use a ratchet wrench.
Step 45

Remove the support from under the steering knuckle.

AUTODOC recommends:
Replacement: strut mount – BMW X3 E83. Lower the transmission jack smoothly, without jerks, to avoid damaging components and mechanisms.
Step 46

Support the arm. Use a hydraulic transmission jack.
Step 47

Screw the fastener connecting the control arm to the subframe. Use a combination spanner #16. Use a drive socket #18. Use a ratchet wrench.
Step 48

Tighten the fasteners connecting the control arm and the subframe. Use a combination spanner #16. Use a drive socket #18. Use a torque wrench. Tighten it to 110 Nm torque.
Step 49

Tighten the lower fastening of the shock absorber. Use a drive socket #16. Use a drive socket #18. Use a torque wrench. Tighten it to 100 Nm torque.
Step 50

Remove the support from under the arm.

AUTODOC recommends:
BMW X3 E83 – Do not lower the transmission jack sharply to avoid damaging components and mechanisms of the car.
Step 51

Connect the ABS sensor wiring.
Step 52

Clean the mounting seats of the stabiliser link. Use a wire brush. Use WD-40 spray.
Step 53

Ιnstall the transverse stabilizer link.
Step 54

Tighten the fastener connecting the stabilizer link to the shock strut. Use a drive socket #16. Use a torque wrench. Tighten it to 65 Nm torque.
Step 55

Attach the brake hose.
Step 56

Treat all joints of the arm. Treat the shock strut fasteners. Use copper grease.
Step 57

Clean the wheel rim mounting seat. Use a wire brush.
Step 58

Treat the surface where the brake disc contacts the wheel rim. Use copper grease.
Step 59

Clean the brake disk surface. Use a brake cleaner.

AUTODOC recommends:
Replacement: strut mount – BMW X3 E83. After applying the spray, wait a few minutes.
Step 60

Install the wheel.

AUTODOC recommends:
Important! Hold the wheel while screwing in the fastening bolts. BMW X3 E83
Step 61

Screw in the wheel bolts. Use wheel impact socket #17.
Step 62

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 140 Nm torque.
Step 63

Remove the jacks and chocks.
Step 64

Tighten the upper fasteners of the shock strut. Use a drive socket #13. Use a torque wrench. Tighten it to 32 Nm torque.
Step 65

Treat the fasteners of the shock strut mount. Use copper grease.
Step 66

Remove the fender protection cover.
Step 67

Close the hood.

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