Important!

This replacement procedure can be used for:
BMW 1 Coupe (E82) 118 d, BMW 1 Coupe (E82) 135 i, BMW 1 Coupe (E82) 120d, BMW 1 Coupe (E82) 123d, BMW 1 Coupe (E82) 125i, BMW 1 Coupe (E82) 120d, BMW 1 Coupe (E82) 120 i, BMW 1 Coupe (E82) 118 d … View more

The steps may slightly vary depending on the car design.

How to change rear shock absorber on BMW 1 Series E82 [TUTORIAL AUTODOC]

Alternative products

Shock absorber

Replacement: shock absorbers – BMW E82. Tools you'll need:

                      Wire brush
                    
                      WD-40 spray
                    
                      Brake cleaner 
                    
                      Copper grease 
                    
                      Drive socket # 14
                    
                      Drive socket # 16
                    
                      Torx bit T40
                    
                      Wheel impact socket #17
                    
                      Ratchet wrench
                    
                      Torque wrench
                    
                      Shock absorber socket #DD6
                    
                      Phillips screwdriver
                    
                      Clip removal tool
                    
                      Hydraulic transmission jack
                    
                      Wheel chock

Buy tools

Replacement: shock absorbers – BMW E82. 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.
All work should be done with the engine stopped.

Replacement: shock absorbers – BMW E82. Recommended sequence of steps:

Step 1

Open the boot lid.
Step 2

Fold down the backrests of the rear seats.
Step 3

Raise the lower lining of the boot.
Step 4

Unscrew the fastener of the central protective plastic panel. Use a clip removal tool. Use a Phillips screwdriver. Use Torx T40. Use a ratchet wrench.
Step 5

Remove the central protective plastic panel.
Step 6

Unscrew the fastener of the boot side lining. Use a clip removal tool. Use Torx T40. Use a ratchet wrench.
Step 7

Detach the boot side lining.
Step 8

Remove the mount cap from the shock absorber upper fastener.
Step 9

Loosen the upper fastener of the shock absorber. Use a shock absorber socket DD№6. Use a drive socket #16. Use a ratchet wrench.
Step 10

Secure the wheels with chocks.
Step 11

Loosen the wheel mounting bolts. Use wheel impact socket #17.
Step 12

Raise the rear of the car and secure on supports.
Step 13

Unscrew the wheel bolts.

AUTODOC recommends:
Important! Hold the wheel while unscrewing the fastening bolts. BMW E82
Step 14

Remove the wheel.
Step 15

Clean the shock absorber fasteners. Use a wire brush. Use WD-40 spray.
Step 16

Unscrew the lower fastener of the shock absorber. Use a drive socket #14. Use a ratchet wrench.
Step 17

Unscrew the upper fastener of the shock absorber.

Replacement: shock absorbers – BMW E82. AUTODOC experts recommend:
To avoid injuries, hold the shock absorber when undoing the fastening bolts.
Step 18

Remove the shock absorber.
Step 19

Remove the shock absorber mount, boot and bump stop.

AUTODOC recommends:
Replacement: shock absorbers – BMW E82. 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 20

Install the mount, boot and bump stop onto a new shock absorber.
Step 21

Clean the shock absorber mounting seats. Use a wire brush. Use WD-40 spray.
Step 22

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

AUTODOC recommends:
Important! Hold the shock absorber while screwing in the fastening bolts. BMW E82
Step 23

Support the stub axle. Use a hydraulic transmission jack.
Step 24

Screw in the lower fastener of the shock absorber. Use a drive socket #14. Use a ratchet wrench.
Step 25

Remove the support from under the stub axle.

Replacement: shock absorbers – BMW E82. Professionals recommend:
Lower the hydraulic transmission jack smoothly, without jerks, to avoid damaging assemblies and mechanisms.
Step 26

Tighten the top shock absorber fastening. Use a shock absorber socket DD№6. Use a drive socket #16. Use a torque wrench. Tighten it to 27 Nm torque.
Step 27

Treat the shock absorber fasteners. Use copper grease.
Step 28

Install the mount cap on the shock absorber upper fastener.
Step 29

Tighten the lower fastener of the shock absorber. Use a drive socket #14. Use a torque wrench. Tighten it to 60 Nm torque.
Step 30

Treat the shock absorber fasteners. Treat all joints of the arm. Use copper grease.

Step 31

Treat the surface where the brake disc contacts the wheel rim. Use copper grease.
Step 32

Clean the brake disk surface. Use a brake cleaner.

Replacement: shock absorbers – BMW E82. Tip from AUTODOC:
After applying the spray, wait a few minutes.
Step 33

Install the wheel.

AUTODOC recommends:
Warning! To avoid injury, hold the wheel while screwing in the fastening bolts on the car. BMW E82
Step 34

Screw in the wheel bolts. Use wheel impact socket #17.
Step 35

Lower the car and working in a cross order, tighten the wheel bolts. Use wheel impact socket #17. Use a torque wrench. Tighten it to 120 Nm torque.
Step 36

Remove the jacks and chocks.
Step 37

Attach the side lining of the boot.
Step 38

Screw in the fastener of the boot side lining. Use Torx T40. Use a ratchet wrench.
Step 39

Install the central protective plastic panel.
Step 40

Screw in the fastener of the central protective plastic panel. Use a Phillips screwdriver. Use Torx T40. Use a ratchet wrench.
Step 41

Put down the lower lining of the boot.
Step 42

Return the seat to its original position.
Step 43

Close the lid of the luggage compartment.

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