Use a fender protection cover to prevent damaging paintwork and plastic parts of the car.
Step 3
Loosen the upper fastener of the shock strut mount. Use a drive socket #13. Use a ratchet wrench.
Step 4
Secure the wheels with chocks.
Step 5
Loosen the wheel mounting bolts. Use wheel impact socket #17.
Step 6
Raise the front of the car and secure on supports.
Step 7
Unscrew the wheel bolts.
Replacement: suspension strut – BMW E46 touring. AUTODOC experts recommend:
To avoid injury, hold up the wheel when unscrewing the bolts.
Step 8
Remove the wheel.
Step 9
Clean the stabiliser link fasteners. Use a wire brush. Use WD-40 spray.
Step 10
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 11
Treat the retaining bracket that secures the brake hose and the wiring harness. Use WD-40 spray.
Step 12
Disconnect the wiring and the brake hose from the bracket on the shock strut.
Step 13
Clean 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 14
Unscrew the lower fastener connecting the shock strut to the steering knuckle. Use a drive socket #18. Use a tap wrench.
Step 15
Unscrew the ball joint fastening to the steering knuckle. Use a combination spanner #19.
Step 16
Support the arm. Use a hydraulic transmission jack.
Step 17
Disconnect the ball joint from the steering knuckle. Use a ball joint puller.
Step 18
Lower the hydraulic transmission jack by 10-15 cm.
AUTODOC recommends:
Replacement: suspension strut – BMW E46 touring. Lower the transmission jack smoothly, without jerks, to avoid damaging components and mechanisms.
Step 19
Disconnect the lower arm from the steering knuckle.
Step 20
Prop up the steering knuckle. Use a hydraulic transmission jack.
Step 21
Release the lower fastener connecting the shock strut to the steering knuckle. Use a special drive socket to remove the shock absorber.
Step 22
Lower the hydraulic transmission jack by 10-15 cm.
Replacement: suspension strut – BMW E46 touring. Tip:
Lower the hydraulic transmission jack smoothly, without jerks, to avoid damaging assemblies and mechanisms.
Step 23
Disconnect the steering knuckle from the shock absorber strut.
Step 24
Unscrew the top fastening of the shock strut mount. Use a drive socket #13. Use a ratchet wrench.
Replacement: suspension strut – BMW E46 touring. Tip from AUTODOC experts:
To avoid injuries, hold the shock strut when undoing the fastening bolts.
Step 25
Remove the suspension strut.
Step 26
Set the shock absorber strut on the spring compressor tool.
Replacement: suspension strut – BMW E46 touring. 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
Remove the shock strut mount cap. Use a crowbar.
Step 28
Compress the spring.
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 combination spanner #21. Use HEX No.H6. Use a ratchet wrench.
Step 31
Remove the top strut mount. Use a crowbar.
Step 32
Release the coil spring.
Step 33
Remove the spring.
Step 34
Remove the shock absorber dust cap and the bump stop.
Step 35
Remove the old shock absorber from the hydraulic coil spring compressor.
AUTODOC recommends:
Replacement: suspension strut – BMW E46 touring. 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 36
Install the new shock absorber on the hydraulic coil spring compressor.
Step 37
Install the dust sleeve and the bump stop on the new shock absorber.
Step 38
Install the spring on the shock absorber.
Step 39
Compress the spring.
Step 40
Install the upper strut mount and the strut mount bearing.
Step 41
Tighten 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.
Replacement: suspension strut – BMW E46 touring. Tip from AUTODOC:
Check to make sure the spring is positioned correctly. Avoid its misalignment.
Step 42
Decompress the spring.
Step 43
Remove the assembled shock strut.
Step 44
Install the shock strut mount cap.
Step 45
Install the shock strut into the wheel arch.
Step 46
Screw the top fastening of the shock strut mount. Use a drive socket #13. Do not tighten it.
AUTODOC recommends:
BMW E46 touring – To avoid injury, hold the suspension strut while screwing in the fastening bolts.
Step 47
Treat the shock strut mounting seat on the steering knuckle. Use a wire brush. Use WD-40 spray.
Step 48
Prop up the steering knuckle. Use a hydraulic transmission jack.
Step 49
Fix the shock absorber strut on the steering knuckle.
Step 50
Tighten the lower fasteners connecting the shock strut to the steering knuckle. Use a drive socket #18. Use a torque wrench. Tighten it to 80 Nm torque.
Step 51
Remove the support from under the steering knuckle.
Replacement: suspension strut – BMW E46 touring. AUTODOC recommends:
Lower the hydraulic transmission jack smoothly, without jerks, to avoid damaging assemblies and mechanisms.
Step 52
Clean the ball joint mounting seat. Use a wire brush. Use WD-40 spray.
Step 53
Treat the fasteners connecting the control arm to the steering knuckle. Use copper grease.
Step 54
Connect the lower arm to the steering knuckle.
Step 55
Install the control arm fasteners.
Step 56
Support the arm. Use a hydraulic transmission jack.
Step 57
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 58
Treat the shock strut fasteners. Treat all joints of the arm. Use copper grease.
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