Important!

This replacement procedure can be used for:
BMW 3 Convertible (E46) 323 Ci, BMW 3 Convertible (E46) 330 Ci, BMW 3 Convertible (E46) 320 Ci, BMW 3 Convertible (E46) 325 Ci, BMW 3 Convertible (E46) 320 Cd, BMW 3 Convertible (E46) 330 Cd, BMW 3 Convertible (E46) 318 Ci, BMW 3 Convertible (E46) 320 Ci, BMW 3 Convertible (E46) 323 Ci … View more

The steps may slightly vary depending on the car design.

How to change a front shock strut on BMW 3 (E46) [TUTORIAL AUTODOC]

All the parts you need to replace – Shock Absorber for 3 Convertible (E46) and other BMW models

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Replacement: suspension strut – BMW E46 convertible. Tools you'll need:

                      Wire brush
                    
                      WD-40 spray
                    
                      Copper grease 
                    
                      Combination spanner #17
                    
                      Combination spanner #19
                    
                      Drive socket # 13 
                    
                      Drive socket # 21 
                    
                      Drive socket # 22 
                    
                      HEX bit No.H7.
                    
                      Shock absorber socket
                    
                      Wheel impact socket #17
                    
                      Ratchet wrench
                    
                      Torque wrench
                    
                      Tap wrench
                    
                      Crow bar
                    
                      Hydraulic strut spring compressor
                    
                      Hydraulic transmission jack
                    
                      Wheel chock

Buy tools

Replacement: suspension strut – BMW E46 convertible. AUTODOC experts recommend:

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.
All work should be done with the engine stopped.

Replacement: suspension strut – BMW E46 convertible. Recommended sequence of steps:

Step 1

Open the bonnet.
Step 2

Secure the wheels with chocks.
Step 3

Loosen the wheel mounting bolts. Use wheel impact socket #17.
Step 4

Raise the front of the car and secure on supports.
Step 5

Unscrew the wheel bolts.

Replacement: suspension strut – BMW E46 convertible. AUTODOC recommends:
To avoid injury, hold up the wheel when unscrewing the bolts.
Step 6

Remove the wheel.
Step 7

Clean the fasteners connecting the stabiliser link to the shock strut, and those connecting the shock strut to the steering knuckle. Use a wire brush. Use WD-40 spray.
Step 8

Unscrew 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 9

Unscrew the ball joint fastening to the steering knuckle. Use a combination spanner #19.
Step 10

Unscrew the lower fastener connecting the shock strut to the steering knuckle. Use a drive socket #21. Use a tap wrench.
Step 11

Disconnect the wiring and the brake hose from the bracket on the shock strut.
Step 12

Release the lower fastener connecting the shock strut to the steering knuckle. Use a special drive socket to remove the shock absorber.
Step 13

Prop up the steering knuckle. Use a hydraulic transmission jack.
Step 14

Disconnect the lower arm from the steering knuckle.
Step 15

Lower the hydraulic transmission jack by 10-15 cm.

AUTODOC recommends:
Replacement: suspension strut – BMW E46 convertible. Lower the transmission jack smoothly, without jerks, to avoid damaging components and mechanisms.
Step 16

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

Unscrew the shock absorber mount fastening. Use a drive socket #13. Use a ratchet wrench.
Step 18

Unscrew the upper fasteners of the shock strut.

AUTODOC recommends:
To avoid injuries, hold the shock strut when undoing the fastening bolts.
Step 19

Remove the suspension strut.
Step 20

Set the shock absorber strut on the spring compressor tool.

Replacement: suspension strut – BMW E46 convertible. AUTODOC experts 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 21

Compress the spring.
Step 22

Remove the shock strut mount cap. Use a crowbar.
Step 23

Remove the strut piston rod nut. Use a drive socket #22. Use HEX No.H7.
Step 24

Remove the top strut mount.
Step 25

Release the coil spring.
Step 26

Remove the spring.
Step 27

Remove the shock absorber dust cap and the bump stop.
Step 28

Remove the old shock absorber from the hydraulic coil spring compressor.

AUTODOC recommends:
Replacement: suspension strut – BMW E46 convertible. Carefully inspect the mount, the boot, and the bump stop of the shock absorber. Replace if necessary.Before installing a new shock absorber you should pump it manually 3-5 times.
Step 29

Install the new shock absorber on the hydraulic coil spring compressor.
Step 30

Install the spring on the shock absorber.
Step 31

Install the dust sleeve and the bump stop on the new shock absorber.
Step 32

Compress the spring.
Step 33

Install the upper strut mount and the strut mount bearing. Use a crowbar.
Step 34

Treat the fasteners of the shock strut mount. Use WD-40 spray.
Step 35

Tighten the shock strut piston rod nut. Use a drive socket #22. Use HEX No.H7. Use a torque wrench. Tighten it to 64 Nm torque.

Replacement: suspension strut – BMW E46 convertible. Tip from AUTODOC experts:
Check to make sure the spring is positioned correctly. Avoid its misalignment.
Step 36

Decompress the spring.
Step 37

Install the shock strut mount cap.
Step 38

Remove the assembled shock strut.
Step 39

Install the shock strut into the wheel arch.
Step 40

Secure the upper fasteners of the shock strut. Use a drive socket #13. Do not tighten it.
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 and tighten a new bolt of the steering knuckle.
Step 44

Connect the lower arm to the steering knuckle.
Step 45

Remove the support from under the steering knuckle.

Replacement: suspension strut – BMW E46 convertible. AUTODOC recommends:
Lower the hydraulic transmission jack smoothly, without jerks, to avoid damaging assemblies and mechanisms.
Step 46

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

Screw the fastener connecting the ball joint to the steering knuckle. Use a combination spanner #19.
Step 48

Tighten the lower fasteners connecting the shock strut to the steering knuckle. Use a drive socket #21. Use a torque wrench. Tighten it to 80 Nm torque.
Step 49

Fasten the brake hose on the strut. Connect the fastener of the ABS sensor cable to the shock absorber strut.
Step 50

Remove the support from under the arm.

AUTODOC recommends:
BMW E46 convertible – Do not lower the transmission jack sharply to avoid damaging components and mechanisms of the car.
Step 51

Secure the stabilizer link on the suspension strut. Use HEX No.H7. Use a combination spanner #17. Use a torque wrench. Tighten it to 55 Nm torque.
Step 52

Tighten the ball joint fastener. Use a combination spanner #19. Use a torque wrench. Tighten it to 65 Nm torque.
Step 53

Treat all joints of the arm. Treat the shock strut fasteners. Use copper grease.
Step 54

Clean the wheel rim mounting seat. Use a wire brush. Treat the contacting surface. Use copper grease.
Step 55

Install the wheel.

AUTODOC recommends:
To avoid injury, hold up the wheel when screwing in the fastening bolts.
Step 56

Screw in the wheel bolts. Use wheel impact socket #17.
Step 57

Tighten the upper fasteners of the shock strut. Use a drive socket #13. Use a torque wrench. Tighten it to 34 Nm torque.
Step 58

Lower the car and working in a cross order, tighten the wheel bolts. Use a torque wrench. Tighten it to 120 Nm torque.
Step 59

Remove the jacks and chocks.
Step 60

Close the hood.

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