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How to change front suspension strut on BMW E92 – replacement guide

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Important!

This replacement procedure can be used for:
BMW 3 Coupe (E92) 318 i, BMW 3 Coupe (E92) 335i, BMW 3 Coupe (E92) 335 d, BMW 3 Coupe (E92) 325i, BMW 3 Coupe (E92) 330 d, BMW 3 Coupe (E92) 330i, BMW 3 Coupe (E92) 320i, BMW 3 Coupe (E92) 320 d, BMW 3 Coupe (E92) 325 d, BMW 3 Coupe (E92) 325i, BMW 3 Coupe (E92) 330d, BMW 3 Coupe (E92) 320 d, BMW 3 Coupe (E92) 325d, BMW 3 Coupe (E92) 316i, BMW 3 Coupe (E92) 320 i … View more

The steps may slightly vary depending on the car design.

How to change a front shock strut on BMW 330i 3 (E92) [TUTORIAL AUTODOC]

Alternative products

Shock absorber

Replacement: suspension strut – BMW E92. Tools you might need:

                      Wire brush
                    
                      WD-40 spray
                    
                      Brake cleaner 
                    
                      Copper grease 
                    
                      Combination spanner #18
                    
                      Combination spanner #21
                    
                      Torx bit T30
                    
                      HEX bit no.H6.
                    
                      Drive socket # 13 
                    
                      Drive socket # 17 
                    
                      Drive socket # 18 
                    
                      Drive socket # 21 
                    
                      Wheel impact socket #17
                    
                      Shock absorber socket
                    
                      Ratchet wrench
                    
                      Torque wrench
                    
                      Pin punch
                    
                      Tap wrench
                    
                      Hammer
                    
                      Crow bar
                    
                      Hydraulic strut spring compressor
                    
                      Hydraulic transmission jack
                    
                      Fender cover
                    
                      Wheel chock

Buy tools

Replacement: suspension strut – BMW E92. Tip from AUTODOC experts:

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.
Warning! Shut down the engine before starting any work – BMW E92.

Carry out replacement in the following order:

Step 1

Open the bonnet.
Step 2

Use a fender protection cover to prevent damaging paintwork and plastic parts of the car.
Step 3

Clean the fasteners of the shock strut upper mount. Use a wire brush. Use WD-40 spray.
Step 4

Loosen the upper fastener of the shock strut mount. Use a drive socket #13. Use a ratchet wrench.
Step 5

Secure the wheels with chocks.

Step 6

Loosen the wheel mounting bolts. Use wheel impact socket #17.
Step 7

Raise the front of the car and secure on supports.
Step 8

Unscrew the wheel bolts.

Replacement: suspension strut – BMW E92. AUTODOC recommends:
To avoid injury, hold up the wheel when unscrewing the bolts.
Step 9

Remove the wheel.
Step 10

Clean the stabiliser link fasteners. Use a wire brush. Use WD-40 spray.
Step 11

Unscrew the nut and remove the stabilizer rod from the shock strut. Use a drive socket #17.
Step 12

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

Unscrew the fastener connecting the ball joint of the front control arm to the steering knuckle. Use a drive socket #21. Use a tap wrench.
Step 14

Unscrew the end fastening nut to the steering knuckle. Use a combination spanner #18. Use Torx T30. Use a ratchet wrench.
Step 15

Unscrew the fastener connecting the ball joint of the rear control arm to the steering knuckle. Use a combination spanner #21. Use Torx T30. Use a ratchet wrench.
Step 16

Clean the fasteners connecting the shock strut to the steering knuckle. Use a wire brush. Use WD-40 spray.
Step 17

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 18

Prop up the steering knuckle. Use a hydraulic transmission jack.
Step 19

Remove the fastening bolt.
Step 20

Release the lower fastener connecting the shock strut to the steering knuckle. Use a special drive socket to remove the shock absorber.
Step 21

Disconnect the tie rod end from the steering knuckle.
Step 22

Clean all joints of the arm. Use a wire brush. Use WD-40 spray.
Step 23

Unscrew the rear fastener connecting the control arm to the subframe. Use a combination spanner #18 (2 pieces).
Step 24

Detach the rear control arm from the steering knuckle.
Step 25

Detach the front control arm from the steering knuckle.
Step 26

Disconnect the steering knuckle from the shock absorber strut. Use a pin punch. Use a hammer.

Replacement: suspension strut – BMW E92. Tip:
Make sure that the steering knuckle is supported.
Step 27

Unscrew the top fastening of the shock strut mount.

AUTODOC recommends:
Important! Hold the suspension strut while unscrewing the fastening bolts. BMW E92
Step 28

Remove the suspension strut.
Step 29

Set the shock absorber strut on the spring compressor tool.

Replacement: suspension strut – BMW E92. 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 30

Compress the spring.
Step 31

Remove the shock strut mount cap. Use a crowbar.
Step 32

Treat the shock strut rod. Use a wire brush. Use WD-40 spray.
Step 33

Remove the strut piston rod nut. Use a drive socket #21. Use HEX No.H6. Use a ratchet wrench.
Step 34

Remove the top strut mount. Use a crowbar.
Step 35

Release the coil spring.
Step 36

Remove the spring.
Step 37

Remove the shock absorber dust cap and the bump stop.

AUTODOC recommends:
Replacement: suspension strut – BMW E92. Carefully inspect the mount, the boot, and the bump stop of the shock absorber. Replace if necessary.
Step 38

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

Replacement: suspension strut – BMW E92. Tip from AUTODOC:
Before installing a new shock absorber you should pump it manually 3-5 times.
Step 39

Install the new shock absorber on the hydraulic coil spring compressor.
Step 40

Install the dust sleeve and the bump stop on the new shock absorber.
Step 41

Install the spring on the shock absorber.
Step 42

Compress the spring.
Step 43

Install the upper strut mount and the strut mount bearing.
Step 44

Tighten the shock strut piston rod nut. Use a drive socket #21. Use HEX No.H6. Use a ratchet wrench. Use a torque wrench. Tighten it to 64 Nm torque.

Replacement: suspension strut – BMW E92. Professionals recommend:
Check to make sure the spring is positioned correctly. Avoid its misalignment.
Step 45

Install the shock strut mount cap.
Step 46

Decompress the spring.
Step 47

Remove the assembled shock strut.
Step 48

Install the shock strut into the wheel arch.
Step 49

Screw the top fastening of the shock strut mount. Use a drive socket #13. Do not tighten it.

AUTODOC recommends:
Important! Hold the suspension strut while screwing in the fastening bolts. BMW E92
Step 50

Treat the shock strut mounting seat on the steering knuckle. Use a wire brush. Use WD-40 spray.
Step 51

Fix the shock absorber strut on the steering knuckle.
Step 52

Raise the hydraulic transmission jack by 10-15 cm.
Step 53

Install the fastening bolt.
Step 54

Screw in the fastener that connects the shock strut to the steering knuckle. Use a drive socket #18. Use a combination spanner #18.
Step 55

Clean the ball joint mounting seat. Use a wire brush. Use WD-40 spray.
Step 56

Remove the support from under the steering knuckle.

AUTODOC recommends:
Replacement: suspension strut – BMW E92. Lower the transmission jack smoothly, without jerks, to avoid damaging components and mechanisms.
Step 57

Attach the front control arm to the steering knuckle. Attach the rear control arm to the steering knuckle.
Step 58

Connect the tie rod end to the steering knuckle.

Step 59

Screw in the fastener connecting the ball joint of the rear control arm to the steering knuckle. Use a drive socket #21.
Step 60

Screw in the fastener connecting the ball joint of the front control arm to the steering knuckle. Use a drive socket #21.
Step 61

Screw on the fastening nut that connects the tie rod end to the steering knuckle. Use a drive socket #18.
Step 62

Tighten the ball joint fastener. Use a drive socket #21. Use a torque wrench. Tighten it to 175 Nm torque.
Step 63

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 80 Nm torque.
Step 64

Tighten the lower fasteners connecting the shock strut to the steering knuckle. Use a drive socket #18. Use a torque wrench. Tighten it to 81 Nm torque.
Step 65

Screw the rear 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 66

Secure the stabilizer link on the suspension strut. Use a drive socket #17. Use a torque wrench. Tighten it to 58 Nm torque.
Step 67

Treat the shock strut fasteners. Use copper grease.
Step 68

Treat the surface where the brake disc contacts the wheel rim. Use copper grease.
Step 69

Clean the brake disk surface. Use a brake cleaner.

Replacement: suspension strut – BMW E92. AUTODOC recommends:
After applying the spray, wait a few minutes.
Step 70

Install the wheel.

AUTODOC recommends:
Important! Hold the wheel while screwing in the fastening bolts. BMW E92
Step 71

Screw in the wheel bolts. Use wheel impact socket #17.
Step 72

Lower the car and working in a cross order, tighten the wheel bolts. Use a torque wrench. Tighten it to 120 Nm torque.
Step 73

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 74

Remove the jacks and chocks.
Step 75

Remove the fender protection cover.
Step 76

Close the hood.

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