How to change rear shock absorbers on BMW E46 touring – replacement guide
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Important!
This replacement procedure can be used for:
BMW 3 Touring (E46) 320 i,
BMW 3 Touring (E46) 318 i,
BMW 3 Touring (E46) 328 i,
BMW 3 Touring (E46) 320 d,
BMW 3 Touring (E46) 330 i,
BMW 3 Touring (E46) 320 i,
BMW 3 Touring (E46) 325 i,
BMW 3 Touring (E46) 320 d,
BMW 3 Touring (E46) 318 i,
BMW 3 Touring (E46) 316 i,
BMW 3 Touring (E46) 318 d,
BMW 3 Touring (E46) 330 d,
BMW 3 Touring (E46) 318 d,
BMW 3 Touring (E46) 318 i
…
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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 Touring (E46) and other BMW models
Replacement: shock absorbers – BMW E46 touring. AUTODOC experts recommend:
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.
All work should be done with the engine stopped.
Replacement: shock absorbers – BMW E46 touring. Take the following steps:
Step 1
Open the boot lid.
Step 2
Move the folding shelf and detach it from the retainers. By doing this, you will get access to the side trim plastic panels.
Step 3
Fold down the backrests of the rear seats.
Step 4
Remove the seat belt trim cover. Use a crowbar.
Step 5
Remove the plastic clip of the boot front side lining. Use a crowbar.
Step 6
Remove the battery cover.
Step 7
Detach the boot rear side lining.
Step 8
Unscrew the fasteners of the side plastic trim panel. Use Torx T25.
Step 9.1
Unscrew the fasteners of the boot vent panel.
Step 9.2
Use a drive socket #10. Use a Phillips screwdriver.
Step 10
Unscrew the fasteners of the boot front side lining. Use a Phillips screwdriver.
Step 11
Detach the boot front side lining from the upper fasteners. Use a crowbar.
AUTODOC recommends:
Replacement: shock absorbers – BMW E46 touring. To avoid damaging the part during installation, do not use excessive force.
Step 12
Remove the lower clip of the boot front side lining. Use ear clamp pliers.
Step 13
Remove the boot front side lining. Use a crowbar.
Step 14
Clean the fasteners of the shock absorber upper mount. Use a wire brush. Use WD-40 spray.
Step 15
Loosen the upper fastener of the shock absorber. Use a drive socket #13. Use a ratchet wrench.
Step 16
Secure the wheels with chocks.
Step 17
Loosen the wheel mounting bolts. Use wheel impact socket #17.
Step 18
Raise the rear of the car and secure on supports.
Step 19
Unscrew the wheel bolts.
Replacement: shock absorbers – BMW E46 touring. AUTODOC recommends:
To avoid injury, hold up the wheel when unscrewing the bolts.
Step 20
Remove the wheel.
Step 21
Support the arm. Use a hydraulic transmission jack.
Step 22
Clean the shock absorber fasteners. Use a wire brush. Use WD-40 spray.
Step 23
Unscrew the lower fastener of the shock absorber. Use a drive socket #18. Use a tap wrench.
Step 24
Unscrew the upper fastener of the shock absorber. Use a drive socket #13. Use a ratchet wrench.
AUTODOC recommends:
To avoid injuries, hold the shock absorber when undoing the fastening bolts.
Step 25
Remove the shock absorber.
Step 26
Grip the shock absorber in a vice.
Step 27
Clean the shock absorber rod fastener. Use a wire brush. Use WD-40 spray.
Step 28
Remove the shock absorber piston rod fastening. Use a combination spanner #16.
Step 29
Release the vice and take out the shock absorber.
Step 30
Remove the shock absorber mount, boot and bump stop.
AUTODOC recommends:
Replacement: shock absorbers – BMW E46 touring. Carefully inspect the mount, the boot, and the bump stop of the shock absorber. Replace if necessary.Before installing a new shock absorber you should pump it manually 3-5 times.
Step 31
Install the mount, boot and bump stop onto a new shock absorber.
Step 32
Grip the shock absorber in a vice.
Step 33
Screw the shock strut piston rod upper fastening. Use a combination spanner #16. Use an adjustable wrench. Use a torque wrench. Tighten it to 20 Nm torque.
Step 34
Release the vice and take out the shock absorber.
Step 35
Clean the shock absorber mounting seats. Use a wire brush. Use WD-40 spray.
Step 36
Place the shock absorber in the wheel arch and secure it.
Replacement: shock absorbers – BMW E46 touring. Tip:
To avoid injury, hold the shock absorber cautiously tight when screwing in the fastening bolts.
Step 37
Tighten the lower fastener of the shock absorber. Use a drive socket #18. Use a torque wrench. Tighten it to 100 Nm torque.
Step 38
Tighten the top shock absorber fastening. Use a drive socket #13. Use a torque wrench. Tighten it to 28 Nm torque.
Step 39
Remove the support from under the arm.
AUTODOC recommends:
Lower the hydraulic transmission jack smoothly, without jerks, to avoid damaging assemblies and mechanisms.
Step 40
Install the boot front side lining.
Step 41
Install the lower clip of the boot front side lining.
Step 42
Screw the fasteners of the boot front side lining. Use a Phillips screwdriver.
Step 43
Screw the side fasteners of the boot vent panel. Use a Phillips screwdriver.
Step 44
Install the plastic clip of the boot front side lining.
Step 45
Screw the upper fasteners of the boot vent panel. Use a drive socket #10. Use a ratchet wrench.
Step 46
Screw the fasteners of the side plastic trim panel. Use Torx T25.
Step 47
Install the seat belt trim cover.
Step 48
Install the boot rear side lining.
Step 49
Install the battery cover.
Step 50
Return the seat to its original position.
Step 51
Install the folding shelf to its mounting seat.
Step 52
Close the lid of the luggage compartment.
Step 53
Clean the wheel rim mounting seat. Use a wire brush. Treat the contacting surface. Use copper grease.
Step 54
Install the wheel.
AUTODOC recommends:
Important! Hold the wheel while screwing in the fastening bolts. BMW E46 touring
Step 55
Screw in the wheel bolts. Use wheel impact socket #17.
Step 56
Lower the car and working in a cross order, tighten the wheel bolts. Use a torque wrench. Tighten it to 120 nm torque.
Step 57
Remove the jacks and chocks.
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