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How to change front suspension strut on BMW E90 – replacement guide

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Important!

This replacement procedure can be used for:
BMW 3 Saloon (E90) 318d, BMW 3 Saloon (E90) 320i, BMW 3 Saloon (E90) 325i, BMW 3 Saloon (E90) 330i, BMW 3 Saloon (E90) 320d, BMW 3 Saloon (E90) 318 d, BMW 3 Saloon (E90) 330 d, BMW 3 Saloon (E90) 320 si, BMW 3 Saloon (E90) 335i, BMW 3 Saloon (E90) 335 d, BMW 3 Saloon (E90) 320 d, BMW 3 Saloon (E90) 325 d, BMW 3 Saloon (E90) 318i, BMW 3 Saloon (E90) 318 d, BMW 3 Saloon (E90) 325 i, BMW 3 Saloon (E90) 320i, BMW 3 Saloon (E90) 320d, BMW 3 Saloon (E90) 330 i, BMW 3 Saloon (E90) 316i, BMW 3 Saloon (E90) 323 i, BMW 3 Saloon (E90) 330d, BMW 3 Saloon (E90) 316 i, BMW 3 Saloon (E90) 316 d, BMW 3 Saloon (E90) 320d, BMW 3 Saloon (E90) 325 d, BMW 3 Saloon (E90) 320 i, BMW 3 Saloon (E90) 323 i, BMW 3 Saloon (E90) 335 i, BMW 3 Saloon (E90) 335 i, BMW 3 Saloon (E90) 335 d, BMW 3 Saloon (E90) 325 i, BMW 3 Saloon (E90) 325 i, BMW 3 Saloon (E90) 318i, BMW 3 Saloon (E90) 328i, BMW 3 Saloon (E90) 320 d, BMW 3 Saloon (E90) 325 i, BMW 3 Saloon (E90) 330i, BMW 3 Saloon (E90) 335 i, BMW 3 Saloon (E90) 320 i, BMW 3 Saloon (E90) 330 d, BMW 3 Saloon (E90) 320d … View more

The steps may slightly vary depending on the car design.

How to change front shock absorbers on BMW 3 E90 TUTORIAL | AUTODOC

All the parts you need to replace – Shock Absorber for 3 Saloon (E90) and other BMW models

Alternative products

Shock absorber

Replacement: suspension strut – BMW E90. Tools you might need:

                      Wire brush
                    
                      WD-40 spray
                    
                      Brake cleaner
                    
                      Copper grease 
                    
                      Combination spanner #13
                    
                      Combination spanner #15
                    
                      Combination spanner #18
                    
                      Combination spanner #22
                    
                      Drive socket # 13 
                    
                      Drive socket # 17 
                    
                      Drive socket # 18 
                    
                      Drive socket # 21 
                    
                      Torx bit T45
                    
                      Wheel impact socket #17
                    
                      Ratchet wrench
                    
                      Torque wrench
                    
                      Flat chisel
                    
                      Hammer
                    
                      Flat Screwdriver
                    
                      Hydraulic strut spring compressor
                    
                      Hydraulic transmission jack
                    
                      Fender cover
                    
                      Wheel chock

Buy tools

Replacement: suspension strut – BMW E90. 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 E90 – 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 E90
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 E90. 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 E90
Step 27

Remove the suspension strut.
Step 28

Set the shock absorber strut on the spring compressor tool.

Replacement: suspension strut – BMW E90. 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 E90. 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.

Replacement: suspension strut – BMW E90. AUTODOC experts recommend:
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 E90. 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 E90
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 E90. 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 E90. 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 E90
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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