How to change front suspension strut on BMW 1 Convertible (E88) – replacement guide
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Important!
This replacement procedure can be used for:
BMW 1 Convertible (E88) 120 i,
BMW 1 Convertible (E88) 125 i,
BMW 1 Convertible (E88) 118 i,
BMW 1 Convertible (E88) 120 d,
BMW 1 Convertible (E88) 118 d,
BMW 1 Convertible (E88) 123 d,
BMW 1 Convertible (E88) 120 i,
BMW 1 Convertible (E88) 120 d,
BMW 1 Convertible (E88) 118 d,
BMW 1 Convertible (E88) 120 i,
BMW 1 Convertible (E88) 120 d,
BMW 1 Convertible (E88) 118 i
…
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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 – Shock Absorber for 1 Convertible (E88) and other BMW models
Replacement: suspension strut – BMW 1 Convertible (E88). AUTODOC recommends:
Both shock struts of the front suspension should be replaced simultaneously.
The replacement procedure is identical for the left and right shock struts of the front suspension.
Please note: all work on the car – BMW 1 Convertible (E88) – 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 1 Convertible (E88)
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: suspension strut – BMW 1 Convertible (E88). Tip from AUTODOC experts:
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:
Important! Hold the suspension strut while unscrewing the fastening bolts. BMW 1 Convertible (E88)
Step 27
Remove the suspension strut.
Step 28
Set the shock absorber strut on the spring compressor tool.
Replacement: suspension strut – BMW 1 Convertible (E88). 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 29
Compress the spring.
Step 30
Remove the shock strut mount cap. Use a flat screwdriver.
Step 31
Treat the shock strut rod. Use a wire brush. Use WD-40 spray.
Step 32
Remove the strut piston rod nut. Use a drive socket #21. Use a ratchet wrench.
Step 33
Remove the top strut mount. Use a flat screwdriver.
Step 34
Release the coil spring.
Step 35
Remove the spring.
Step 36
Remove the shock absorber dust cap and the bump stop.
AUTODOC recommends:
Replacement: suspension strut – BMW 1 Convertible (E88). Carefully inspect the mount, the boot, and the bump stop of the shock absorber. Replace if necessary.
Step 37
Remove the old shock absorber from the hydraulic coil spring compressor.
Step 38
Remove the rubber spring spacer. Use a flat screwdriver.
Before installing a new shock absorber you should pump it manually 3-5 times.
Step 39
Install the rubber spring spacer.
Step 40
Install the new shock absorber on the hydraulic coil spring compressor.
Step 41
Install the spring on the shock absorber.
Step 42
Install the dust sleeve and the bump stop on the new shock absorber.
Step 43
Compress the spring.
Step 44
Install the upper strut mount and the strut mount bearing. Use a flat screwdriver.
Step 45
Tighten the shock strut piston rod nut. Use a drive socket #21. Use a torque wrench. Tighten it to 64 Nm torque.
Replacement: suspension strut – BMW 1 Convertible (E88). Professionals recommend:
Check to make sure the spring is positioned correctly. Avoid its misalignment.
Step 46
Install the shock strut mount cap.
Step 47
Decompress the spring.
Step 48
Remove the assembled shock strut.
Step 49
Install the shock strut into the wheel arch.
Step 50
Screw the top fastening of the shock strut mount.
AUTODOC recommends:
Important! Hold the suspension strut while screwing in the fastening bolts. BMW 1 Convertible (E88)
Step 51
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.
Step 52
Remove the fender protection cover.
Step 53
Close the hood.
Step 54
Raise the front of the car and secure on supports.
Step 55
Treat the shock strut mounting seat on the steering knuckle. Use a wire brush. Use WD-40 spray.
Step 56
Fix the shock absorber strut on the steering knuckle. Use a flat metal-working chisel. Use a hammer.
Step 57
Install the fastening bolt.
Step 58
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 59
Connect the ABS sensor wiring.
Step 60
Install the rear fastener of the control arm.
Step 61
Screw the rear fastener connecting the control arm to the subframe. Use a combination spanner #18 (2 pieces).
Step 62
Ιnstall the transverse stabilizer link.
Step 63
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 64
Treat the shock strut fasteners. Use copper grease.
Step 65
Connect the tie rod end to the steering knuckle.
Step 66
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 67
Prop up the steering knuckle. Use a hydraulic transmission jack.
Step 68
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 69
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 70
Treat all joints of the arm. Use copper grease.
Step 71
Remove the support from under the steering knuckle.
AUTODOC recommends:
Replacement: suspension strut – BMW 1 Convertible (E88). Lower the transmission jack smoothly, without jerks, to avoid damaging components and mechanisms.
Step 72
Treat the surface where the brake disc contacts the wheel rim. Use copper grease.
Step 73
Clean the brake disk surface. Use a brake cleaner.
AUTODOC recommends:
Replacement: suspension strut – BMW 1 Convertible (E88). After applying the spray, wait a few minutes.
Step 74
Install the wheel.
AUTODOC recommends:
Important! Hold the wheel while screwing in the fastening bolts. BMW 1 Convertible (E88)
Step 75
Screw in the wheel bolts. Use wheel impact socket #17.
Step 76
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 77
Remove the jacks and chocks.
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