Important!

This replacement procedure can be used for:
BMW 3 Convertible (E46) 323 Ci, BMW 3 Convertible (E46) 330Ci, BMW 3 Convertible (E46) 320 Ci, BMW 3 Convertible (E46) 325Ci, BMW 3 Convertible (E46) 320 Cd, BMW 3 Convertible (E46) 330 Cd, BMW 3 Convertible (E46) 318Ci, BMW 3 Convertible (E46) 320 Ci, BMW 3 Convertible (E46) 323 Ci … View more

The steps may slightly vary depending on the car design.

How to change rear shock absorber on BMW 3 (E46) [TUTORIAL AUTODOC]

All the parts you need to replace – Shock Absorber for 3 Convertible (E46) and other BMW models

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Replacement: shock absorbers – BMW E46 convertible. 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 E46 convertible. 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 E46 convertible – 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 E46 convertible. 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 E46 convertible
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 E46 convertible. 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 E46 convertible. 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 E46 convertible. 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 E46 convertible
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.

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