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How to change front suspension strut on BMW X3 E83 – replacement guide
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Important!
This replacement procedure can be used for:
BMW X3 (E83) xDrive20d, BMW X3 (E83) xDrive 30 d, BMW X3 (E83) xDrive30i, BMW X3 (E83) 3.0i xDrive, BMW X3 (E83) 3.0d, BMW X3 (E83) 2.0d, BMW X3 (E83) 2.0i, BMW X3 (E83) 3.0d, BMW X3 (E83) 3.0 si, BMW X3 (E83) 2.5si, BMW X3 (E83) 3.0sd, BMW X3 (E83) 2.0 sd, BMW X3 (E83) xDrive 20 i, BMW X3 (E83) xDrive25i, BMW X3 (E83) xDrive30i, BMW X3 (E83) xDrive20d, BMW X3 (E83) xDrive 18 d, BMW X3 (E83) xDrive 30 d, BMW X3 (E83) xDrive 35 d, BMW X3 (E83) 2.5i, BMW X3 (E83) xDrive 18 d, BMW X3 (E83) 2.5si xDrive, BMW X3 (E83) 3.0i, BMW X3 (E83) 3.0 si, BMW X3 (E83) 3.0d, BMW X3 (E83) xDrive25i … View more
The steps may slightly vary depending on the car design.
BMW X3 (E83) xDrive20d, BMW X3 (E83) xDrive 30 d, BMW X3 (E83) xDrive30i, BMW X3 (E83) 3.0i xDrive, BMW X3 (E83) 3.0d, BMW X3 (E83) 2.0d, BMW X3 (E83) 2.0i, BMW X3 (E83) 3.0d, BMW X3 (E83) 3.0 si, BMW X3 (E83) 2.5si, BMW X3 (E83) 3.0sd, BMW X3 (E83) 2.0 sd, BMW X3 (E83) xDrive 20 i, BMW X3 (E83) xDrive25i, BMW X3 (E83) xDrive30i, BMW X3 (E83) xDrive20d, BMW X3 (E83) xDrive 18 d, BMW X3 (E83) xDrive 30 d, BMW X3 (E83) xDrive 35 d, BMW X3 (E83) 2.5i, BMW X3 (E83) xDrive 18 d, BMW X3 (E83) 2.5si xDrive, BMW X3 (E83) 3.0i, BMW X3 (E83) 3.0 si, BMW X3 (E83) 3.0d, BMW X3 (E83) xDrive25i … View more
The steps may slightly vary depending on the car design.
How to change a front shock strut on BMW X3 E83 [TUTORIAL AUTODOC]

All the parts you need to replace – Shock Absorber for X3 (E83) and other BMW models
Shock absorber
Alternative products

Wire brush
WD-40 spray
Brake cleaner
Copper grease
Torque wrench
Combination spanner #16
Drive socket # 13
Drive socket # 16
Drive socket # 18
Drive socket # 19
Drive socket # 21
HEX bit No.H6
Shock absorber socket
Wheel impact socket #17
Ratchet wrench
Crow bar
Hydraulic strut spring compressor
Hydraulic transmission jack
Fender cover
Wheel chock
Replacement: suspension strut – BMW X3 E83. Tip from AUTODOC:
- 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 X3 E83 – should be done with the engine switched off.
Carry out replacement in the following order:
- Step 1Open the bonnet.
- Step 2Use a fender protection cover to prevent damaging paintwork and plastic parts of the car.
- Step 3Clean the fasteners of the shock strut upper mount. Use a wire brush. Use WD-40 spray.
- Step 4Secure the wheels with chocks.Step 5Loosen the upper fasteners of the suspension strut. Use a drive socket #13. Use a ratchet wrench.
- Step 6Loosen the wheel mounting bolts. Use wheel impact socket #17.
- Step 7Raise the front of the car and secure on supports.
- Step 8Unscrew the wheel bolts.AUTODOC recommends:Warning! To avoid injury, hold the wheel while unscrewing the fastening bolts. BMW X3 E83
- Step 9Remove the wheel.
- Step 10Disconnect the brake hose.
- Step 11Clean the stabiliser link fasteners. Use a wire brush. Use WD-40 spray.
- Step 12Unscrew the fastener connecting the stabilizer link to the shock strut. Use a drive socket #16. Use a ratchet wrench.
- Step 13Remove the stabilizer rod.
- Step 14Disconnect the ABS sensor wiring.
- Step 15Clean the lower fastener connecting the suspension strut to the steering knuckle. Use a wire brush. Use WD-40 spray.Step 16Unscrew the lower fastener connecting the shock strut to the steering knuckle. Use a combination spanner #16. Use a drive socket #18. Use a ratchet wrench.
- Step 17Remove the fastening bolt.
- Step 18Prop up the steering knuckle. Use a hydraulic transmission jack.
- Step 19Release the lower fastener connecting the shock strut to the steering knuckle. Use a special drive socket to remove the shock absorber. Use a ratchet wrench.
- Step 20Clean all joints of the arm. Use a wire brush. Use WD-40 spray.AUTODOC recommends:Replacement: suspension strut – BMW X3 E83. After applying the spray, wait a few minutes.
- Step 21Unscrew the fastener connecting the control arm to the subframe. Use a combination spanner #16. Use a drive socket #18. Use a ratchet wrench.
- Step 22Lower the hydraulic transmission jack by 10-15 cm.Step 23Disconnect the steering knuckle from the shock absorber strut.
- Step 24Unscrew the upper fasteners of the shock strut.AUTODOC recommends:BMW X3 E83 – To avoid injury, hold the suspension strut while unscrewing the fastening bolts.Step 25Remove the suspension strut.
- Step 26Set the shock absorber strut on the spring compressor tool.Replacement: suspension strut – BMW X3 E83. 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 27Compress the spring.
- Step 28Remove the shock strut mount cap. Use a crowbar.
- Step 29Treat the shock strut rod. Use a wire brush. Use WD-40 spray.
- Step 30Remove the strut piston rod nut. Use a drive socket #21. Use HEX No.H6. Use a ratchet wrench.
- Step 31Remove the top strut mount.
- Step 32Release the coil spring.
- Step 33Remove the spring.
- Step 34Remove the shock absorber dust cap and the bump stop.AUTODOC recommends:Replacement: suspension strut – BMW X3 E83. Carefully inspect the mount, the boot, and the bump stop of the shock absorber. Replace if necessary.
- Step 35Remove the old shock absorber from the hydraulic coil spring compressor.Replacement: suspension strut – BMW X3 E83. Tip from AUTODOC experts:Before installing a new shock absorber you should pump it manually 3-5 times.
- Step 36Install the new shock absorber on the hydraulic coil spring compressor.
- Step 37Install the dust sleeve and the bump stop on the new shock absorber.
- Step 38Install the spring on the shock absorber.
- Step 39Compress the spring.
- Step 40Install the upper strut mount and the strut mount bearing.
- Step 41Tighten the shock strut piston rod nut. Use a drive socket #19. Use HEX No.H6. Use a torque wrench. Tighten it to 64 Nm torque.Replacement: suspension strut – BMW X3 E83. AUTODOC experts recommend:Check to make sure the spring is positioned correctly. Avoid its misalignment.
- Step 42Treat the shock strut rod. Use copper grease.
- Step 43Install the shock strut mount cap.Step 44Decompress the spring.
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