Important!

This replacement procedure can be used for:
BMW 3 Touring (E36) 320i, BMW 3 Touring (E36) 328i, BMW 3 Touring (E36) 318 tds, BMW 3 Touring (E36) 325tds, BMW 3 Touring (E36) 323i, BMW 3 Touring (E36) 318i, BMW 3 Touring (E36) 316i … View more

The steps may slightly vary depending on the car design.

This video shows the replacement procedure of a similar car part on another vehicle

Alternative products

Shock absorber

Replacement: shock absorbers – BMW 3 Touring (E36). List of the tools you'll need:

                      Wire brush
                    
                      WD-40 spray
                    
                      Copper grease 
                    
                      Combination spanner #17
                    
                      Drive socket # 13 
                    
                      Drive socket # 18 
                    
                      Wheel impact socket #17
                    
                      Ratchet wrench
                    
                      Torque wrench
                    
                      Adjustable wrench
                    
                      Tap wrench
                    
                      Crow bar
                    
                      Vice
                    
                      Hydraulic transmission jack
                    
                      Wheel chock

Buy tools

Replacement: shock absorbers – BMW 3 Touring (E36). AUTODOC recommends:

Both shock absorbers of the rear suspension should be replaced simultaneously.
The replacement procedure is identical for the left and right shock absorbers of the rear suspension.
Please note: all work on the car – BMW 3 Touring (E36) – should be done with the engine switched off.

Carry out replacement in the following order:

Step 1

Press and hold the folding roof control switch. Hold the button pressed until you get access to the upper fasteners of the shock absorber.

Step 2

Remove the shock strut mount caps. Use a crowbar.
Step 3

Clean the fasteners of the shock absorber upper mount. Use WD-40 spray.
Step 4

Loosen the upper fastener of the shock absorber. 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 rear of the car and secure on supports.

Step 8

Unscrew the wheel bolts.

Replacement: shock absorbers – BMW 3 Touring (E36). Tip:
To avoid injury, hold up the wheel when unscrewing the bolts.
Step 9

Remove the wheel.
Step 10

Support the arm. Use a hydraulic transmission jack.
Step 11

Clean the shock absorber fasteners. Use a wire brush. Use WD-40 spray.
Step 12

Unscrew the lower fastener of the shock absorber. Use a drive socket #18. Use a tap wrench.
Step 13

Remove the fastening bolt.
Step 14

Unscrew the upper fastener of the shock absorber. Use a drive socket #13. Use a ratchet wrench.

AUTODOC recommends:
Important! Hold the shock absorber while unscrewing the fastening bolts. BMW 3 Touring (E36)
Step 15

Remove the shock absorber.
Step 16

Grip the shock absorber in a vice.
Step 17

Clean the shock absorber rod fastener. Use a wire brush.
Step 18

Remove the shock absorber piston rod fastening. Use a combination spanner #17.
Step 19

Release the vice and take out the shock absorber.
Step 20

Remove the shock absorber mount, boot and bump stop.

Replacement: shock absorbers – BMW 3 Touring (E36). AUTODOC recommends:
Τhoroughly examine the shock absorber mount, dust boot, bump stop. Replace them if necessary.Before installing a new shock absorber you should pump it manually 3-5 times.
Step 21

Install the mount, boot and bump stop onto a new shock absorber.
Step 22

Grip the shock absorber in a vice.
Step 23

Screw the shock strut piston rod upper fastening. Use a combination spanner #17. Use an adjustable wrench. Use a torque wrench. Tighten it to 20 Nm torque.
Step 24

Release the vice and take out the shock absorber.
Step 25

Clean the shock absorber mounting seats. Use a wire brush. Use WD-40 spray.
Step 26

Place the shock absorber in the wheel arch and secure it.

Replacement: shock absorbers – BMW 3 Touring (E36). AUTODOC experts recommend:
To avoid injury, hold the shock absorber cautiously tight when screwing in the fastening bolts.
Step 27

Screw the upper fastener of the shock absorber. Use a drive socket #13. Do not tighten it.
Step 28

Tighten the lower fastener of the shock absorber. Use a drive socket #18. Use a torque wrench. Tighten it to 100 Nm torque.
Step 29

Remove the support from under the arm.

AUTODOC recommends:
Replacement: shock absorbers – BMW 3 Touring (E36). Lower the transmission jack smoothly, without jerks, to avoid damaging components and mechanisms.
Step 30

Clean the wheel rim mounting seat. Use a wire brush. Treat the contacting surface. Use copper grease.
Step 31

Install the wheel.

AUTODOC recommends:
Warning! To avoid injury, hold the wheel while screwing in the fastening bolts on the car. BMW 3 Touring (E36)
Step 32

Screw in the wheel bolts. Use wheel impact socket #17.
Step 33

Tighten the top shock absorber fastening. Use a drive socket #13. Use a torque wrench. Tighten it to 28 Nm torque.
Step 34

Install the shock strut mount caps.
Step 35

Lower the car and working in a cross order, tighten the wheel bolts. Use a torque wrench. Tighten it to 120 Nm torque.
Step 36

Remove the jacks and chocks.

Was this manual helpful?

Please rate this manual on a scale from 1 to 5. If you have any questions, feel free to ask us.

Need New Tyres?

Find out which tyre and wheel sizes are compatible with the BMW 3 Touring (E36) model

BMW E36 Touring tyre size

How to change front suspension strut on BMW 3 Touring (E36) – replacement guide

Free download PDF
2.72 MB
How to change rear brake pads on BMW 3 Touring (E36) – replacement guide

Free download PDF
1.86 MB
How to change front brake pads on BMW 3 Touring (E36) – replacement guide

Free download PDF
1.59 MB
How to change front brake discs on BMW 3 Touring (E36) – replacement guide

Free download PDF
2.15 MB
How to change rear brake discs on BMW 3 Touring (E36) – replacement guide

Free download PDF
2.13 MB
How to change front wheel bearing on BMW 3 Touring (E36) – replacement guide

Free download PDF
2.07 MB

How to change rear shock absorbers on BMW E90 – replacement guide

Free download PDF
2.66 MB
How to change front suspension strut on BMW E90 – replacement guide

Free download PDF
2.81 MB
How to change front suspension strut on BMW E46 – replacement guide

Free download PDF
4.31 MB
How to change rear shock absorbers on BMW 3 Saloon (E46) – replacement guide

Free download PDF
2.02 MB
How to change rear shock absorbers on BMW E92 – replacement guide

Free download PDF
3.09 MB
How to change front suspension strut on BMW E92 – replacement guide

Free download PDF
3.97 MB

Unlock your car maintenance assistant!

Track expenses, manage logs, schedule replacements, and more.

Why Checking Your Oil is Crucial for Engine Performance

6K views

Published on: 23/02/2023
TOP 8 mistakes car owners make | AUTODOC tips

14K views

Published on: 09/12/2021
Save Money on Fuel with These Easy Tips | AUTODOC

5K views

Published on: 27/09/2022
Discover the 4 Key Reasons Your CHECK ENGINE Light Could Be On | AUTODOC Tips

7K views

Published on: 30/03/2022