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How to change front suspension strut on BMW E46 – replacement guide

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Important!

This replacement procedure can be used for:
BMW 3 Saloon (E46) 316i, BMW 3 Saloon (E46) 320 d, BMW 3 Saloon (E46) 316 i, BMW 3 Saloon (E46) 318 i, BMW 3 Saloon (E46) 318 d, BMW 3 Saloon (E46) 316 i, BMW 3 Saloon (E46) 318 d, BMW 3 Saloon (E46) 316 i, BMW 3 Saloon (E46) 320d … View more

The steps may slightly vary depending on the car design.

How to change shock absorber on BMW E46 [TUTORIAL AUTODOC]

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

Alternative products

Shock absorber

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

                      Wire brush
                    
                      WD-40 spray
                    
                      Brake cleaner 
                    
                      Copper grease 
                    
                      Combination spanner #19
                    
                      Drive socket # 13 
                    
                      Drive socket # 17 
                    
                      Drive socket # 18 
                    
                      Drive socket # 19 
                    
                      Drive socket # 22 
                    
                      HEX bit No.H6.
                    
                      Wheel impact socket #17
                    
                      Ratchet wrench
                    
                      Torque wrench
                    
                      Water pump pliers
                    
                      Flat Screwdriver
                    
                      Ball joint puller
                    
                      Crow bar
                    
                      Hydraulic transmission jack
                    
                      Hydraulic strut spring compressor
                    
                      Fender cover
                    
                      Wheel chock

Buy tools

Replacement: suspension strut – BMW E46. 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. Use the following procedure:

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.

Replacement: suspension strut – BMW E46. AUTODOC recommends:
To avoid injury, hold up the wheel when unscrewing the bolts.
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 drive socket #17.Use a ratchet wrench.
Step 8

Remove the stabilizer rod.

Step 9

Clean the fastener connecting the tie rod end to the steering knuckle. Use a wire brush.Use WD-40 spray.
Step 10

Unscrew the end fastening nut to the steering knuckle.Use a drive socket #19.Use a ratchet wrench.
Step 11

Disconnect the tie rod end from the steering knuckle.Use a ball joint puller.
Step 12

Clean the fastener that connects the ball joint to the steering knuckle.Use a wire brush.Use WD-40 spray.
Step 13

Unscrew the ball joint fastening to the steering knuckle.Use a drive socket #19.Use a ratchet wrench.
Step 14

Disconnect the ABS sensor wiring.
Step 15

Disconnect the ball joint from the steering knuckle.Use a ball joint puller.Use a crowbar.
Step 16

Treat the retaining bracket that secures the brake hose and the wiring harness. Use WD-40 spray.
Step 17

Unscrew the brake hose fastening bracket from the shock strut.Use a drive socket #18.Use a ratchet wrench.

Step 18

Disconnect the wiring and the brake hose from the bracket on the shock strut.
Step 19

Disconnect the lower arm from the steering knuckle.

Step 20

Remove the steering knuckle together with the hub.
Step 21

Lower the car.

Step 22

Open the bonnet.
Step 23

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

Step 24

Clean the fasteners of the shock strut upper mount. Use a wire brush.Use WD-40 spray.
Step 25

Unscrew 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
Step 26

Remove the suspension strut.
Step 27

Set the shock absorber strut on the spring compressor tool.

Replacement: suspension strut – BMW E46. Tip from AUTODOC:
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 28

Compress the spring.
Step 29

Remove the shock strut mount cap.Use a flat screwdriver.
Step 30

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

Step 31

Remove the strut piston rod nut.Use a drive socket #22.Use a ratchet wrench.
Step 32

Remove the top strut mount.
Step 33

Release the coil spring.

Step 34

Remove the spring.
Step 35

Remove the shock absorber dust cap and the bump stop.
Step 36

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

AUTODOC recommends:
Replacement: suspension strut – BMW E46. 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 37

Install the new shock absorber on the hydraulic coil spring compressor.
Step 38

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

Step 39

Install the spring on the shock absorber.
Step 40

Compress the spring.

Step 41

Install the upper strut mount and the strut mount bearing.Use water pump pliers.
Step 42

Tighten the shock strut piston rod nut. Use a drive socket #22.Use HEX No.H6.Use a torque wrench.Tighten it to 64 Nm torque.

Replacement: suspension strut – BMW E46. Tip:
Check to make sure the spring is positioned correctly. Avoid its misalignment.
Step 43

Install the shock strut mount cap.
Step 44

Decompress the spring.
Step 45

Remove the assembled shock strut.

Step 46

Install the shock strut into the wheel arch.

Replacement: suspension strut – BMW E46. Tip from AUTODOC:
To avoid injuries, hold the shock strut when screwing the fastening bolts in.
Step 47

Tighten the upper fastener of the shock absorber strut mount.Use a drive socket #13.Use a torque wrench.Tighten it to 34 Nm torque.
Step 48

Remove the fender protection cover.

Step 49

Close the hood.
Step 50

Raise the front of the car and secure on supports.

Step 51

Install the steering knuckle.
Step 52

Connect the lower arm to the steering knuckle.
Step 53

Connect the ball joint to the steering knuckle.

Replacement: suspension strut – BMW E46. Professionals recommend:
During the installation process, use only new bolts and nuts.Do not damage the ball joint cover.
Step 54

Screw the fastener connecting the ball joint to the steering knuckle.Use a combination spanner #19.Use a torque wrench.Tighten it to 65 Nm torque.
Step 55

Support the arm. Use a hydraulic transmission jack.
Step 56

Connect the tie rod end to the steering knuckle.
Step 57

Tighten the fastening nut connecting the tie rod end to the steering knuckle. Use a drive socket #18.Use a torque wrench.Tighten it to 65 nm torque.
Step 58

Fasten the brake hose on the strut.

Step 59

Connect the fastener of the ABS sensor cable to the shock absorber strut.
Step 60

Tighten the brake hose fastening bracket to the shock strut.Use a drive socket #18.Use a ratchet wrench.
Step 61

Ιnstall the transverse stabilizer link.
Step 62

Tighten the fastener connecting the stabilizer link to the shock strut.Use a drive socket #17.Use a torque wrench.Tighten it to 60 Nm torque.
Step 63

Connect the ABS sensor wiring.
Step 64

Remove the support from under the arm.

AUTODOC recommends:
Replacement: suspension strut – BMW E46. Lower the transmission jack smoothly, without jerks, to avoid damaging components and mechanisms.
Step 65

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

Treat the surface where the brake disc contacts the wheel rim. Use copper grease.
Step 67

Clean the brake disk surface.Use a brake cleaner.

Replacement: suspension strut – BMW E46. Tip from AUTODOC experts:
After applying the spray, wait a few minutes.
Step 68

Install the wheel.

AUTODOC recommends:
Important! Hold the suspension strut while screwing in the fastening bolts. BMW E46
Step 69

Screw in the wheel bolts.Use wheel impact socket #17.
Step 70

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 71

Remove the jacks and chocks.

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