Important!

This replacement procedure can be used for:
BMW X3 (E83) xDrive 20 d, BMW X3 (E83) xDrive 30 d, BMW X3 (E83) 3.0 i xDrive, BMW X3 (E83) 3.0 d, BMW X3 (E83) 2.0 d, BMW X3 (E83) 2.0 i, BMW X3 (E83) 3.0 d, BMW X3 (E83) 3.0 si, BMW X3 (E83) 2.5 si, BMW X3 (E83) 3.0 sd, BMW X3 (E83) 2.0 sd, BMW X3 (E83) xDrive 20 i, BMW X3 (E83) xDrive 25 i, BMW X3 (E83) xDrive 30 i, BMW X3 (E83) xDrive 20 d, BMW X3 (E83) xDrive 18 d, BMW X3 (E83) xDrive 30 d, BMW X3 (E83) xDrive 35 d, BMW X3 (E83) xDrive 18 d, BMW X3 (E83) 2.5 si xDrive … View more

The steps may slightly vary depending on the car design.

How to change rear shock absorber on BMW X3 E83 [TUTORIAL AUTODOC]

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

Shock absorber

Suspension Strut

        Shock absorber for BMW X3 (E83) xDrive 20 d Diesel (163 hp)
      
        Shock absorber for BMW X3 (E83) xDrive 30 d Diesel (211 hp)
      
        Shock absorber for BMW X3 (E83) 3.0 i xDrive Petrol (231 hp)
      
        Shock absorber for BMW X3 (E83) 3.0 d Diesel (204 hp)
      
        Shock absorber for BMW X3 (E83) 2.0 d Diesel (150 hp)
      
        Shock absorber for BMW X3 (E83) 2.0 i Petrol (150 hp)
      
        Shock absorber for BMW X3 (E83) 3.0 d Diesel (218 hp)
      
        Shock absorber for BMW X3 (E83) 3.0 si Petrol (272 hp)
      
        Shock absorber for BMW X3 (E83) 2.5 si Petrol (218 hp)

Replacement: shock absorbers – BMW X3 E83. List of the tools you'll need:

                        Wire brush
                      
                        WD-40 spray
                      
                        Brake cleaner 
                      
                        Copper grease 
                      
                        Torque wrench
                      
                        Combination spanner #17
                      
                        Drive socket # 10 
                      
                        Drive socket # 13 
                      
                        Drive socket # 16 
                      
                        Drive socket # 18 
                      
                        Torx bit T20
                      
                        Torx bit T25
                      
                        Shock absorber socket #DD6
                      
                        Wheel impact socket #17
                      
                        Ratchet wrench
                      
                        Adjustable wrench
                      
                        Plastic trim tool
                      
                        Phillips screwdriver
                      
                        Tap wrench
                      
                        Vice
                      
                        Hydraulic transmission jack
                      
                        Wheel chock

Buy tools

Replacement: shock absorbers – BMW X3 E83. Tip from AUTODOC:

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 X3 E83. Use the following procedure:

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

Raise the lower lining of the boot.
Step 5

Detach the boot side lining.
Step 6

Unscrew the fasteners of the plastic car body protective cover. Use a Phillips screwdriver.
Step 7

Remove the rubber strip.
Step 8

Remove the plastic car body protective cover.
Step 9

Remove the interior boot light.
Step 10

Remove the seat belt trim cover.
Step 11

Detach the boot rear side lining.

Step 12

Unscrew the fasteners of the side plastic trim panel. Use a drive socket #10. Use a ratchet wrench.
Step 13

Remove the clips from the parcel shelf. Use Torx T25. Use a ratchet wrench.
Step 14

Detach the parcel shelf.

Step 15

Remove the airbag cover. Use a plastic trim tool.
Step 16

Unscrew the fastener of the body pillar trim panel. Use Torx T20. Use a ratchet wrench.

Step 17

Remove the body pillar trim panel.
Step 18

Unscrew the fasteners of the seat belt panel. Use a Phillips screwdriver.
Step 19

Remove the seat belt panel.
Step 20

Remove the side plastic cover.
Step 21

Remove the clips of the boot side lining. Use a plastic trim tool.
Step 22

Unscrew the fastener of the boot side lining. Use a Phillips screwdriver.
Step 23

Detach the boot side lining.
Step 24

Remove the protective cap of the shock absorber mount.
Step 25

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

Loosen the upper fastener of the shock absorber. Use a drive socket #13. Use a ratchet wrench.
Step 27

Secure the wheels with chocks.

Step 28

Loosen the wheel mounting bolts. Use wheel impact socket #17.
Step 29

Raise the rear of the car and secure on supports.
Step 30

Unscrew the wheel bolts.

AUTODOC recommends:
Important! Hold the wheel while unscrewing the fastening bolts. BMW X3 E83
Step 31

Remove the wheel.
Step 32

Support the arm. Use a hydraulic transmission jack.
Step 33

Clean the shock absorber fasteners. Use a wire brush. Use WD-40 spray.
Step 34

Unscrew the upper fastener of the shock absorber. Use a drive socket #13. Use a ratchet wrench.
Step 35

Unscrew the lower fastener of the shock absorber. Use a drive socket #18. Use a tap wrench.
Step 36

Remove the fastening bolt.

AUTODOC recommends:
BMW X3 E83 – To avoid injury, hold the shock absorber while unscrewing the fastening bolts.
Step 37

Remove the shock absorber.
Step 38

Grip the shock absorber in a vice.

Step 39

Clean the shock absorber rod fastener. Use a wire brush. Use WD-40 spray.
Step 40

Remove the shock absorber piston rod fastening. Use a shock absorber socket DD№6. Use a drive socket #16. Use a ratchet wrench.
Step 41

Remove the shock absorber mount, boot and bump stop.

AUTODOC recommends:
Replacement: shock absorbers – BMW X3 E83. 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 42

Install the mount, boot and bump stop onto a new shock absorber.
Step 43

Tighten the shock absorber rod nut. Use a combination spanner #17. Use a shock absorber socket №DD6. Use an adjustable wrench. Use a torque wrench. Tighten it to 14 Nm torque.
Step 44

Treat the shock absorber rod fastener. Use copper grease.
Step 45

Release the vice and take out the shock absorber.
Step 46

Clean the shock absorber mounting seats. Use a wire brush. Use WD-40 spray.
Step 47

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

AUTODOC recommends:
BMW X3 E83 – To avoid injury, hold the shock absorber while screwing in the fastening bolts.
Step 48

Install the fastening bolt.
Step 49

Tighten the lower fastener of the shock absorber. Use a drive socket #18. Use a torque wrench. Tighten it to 100 Nm torque.
Step 50

Remove the support from under the arm.

AUTODOC recommends:
BMW X3 E83 – Do not lower the transmission jack sharply to avoid damaging components and mechanisms of the car.
Step 51

Treat the shock absorber fasteners. Use copper grease.

Step 52

Clean the wheel rim mounting seat. Use a wire brush.
Step 53

Treat the surface where the brake disc contacts the wheel rim. Use copper grease.
Step 54

Clean the brake disk surface. Use a brake cleaner.

AUTODOC recommends:
After applying the spray, wait a few minutes.
Step 55

Install the wheel.

AUTODOC recommends:
Warning! To avoid injury, hold the wheel while screwing in the fastening bolts on the car. BMW X3 E83
Step 56

Screw in the wheel bolts. Use wheel impact socket #17.
Step 57

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 140 Nm torque.
Step 58

Tighten the top shock absorber fastening. Use a drive socket #13. Use a torque wrench. Tighten it to 24 Nm torque.
Step 59

Treat the shock absorber fasteners. Use copper grease.
Step 60

Install the protective cap of the shock absorber mount.
Step 61

Attach the side lining of the boot.
Step 62

Screw in the fastener of the boot side lining. Use a Phillips screwdriver.
Step 63

Reinstall the parcel shelf.

Step 64

Reinsert the parcel shelf clips. Use Torx T25. Use a ratchet wrench.
Step 65

Install the side plastic panel.
Step 66

Reinstall the seat belt panel.
Step 67

Screw in the fasteners of the seat belt panel. Use a Phillips screwdriver.

Step 68

Screw the fasteners of the side plastic trim panel. Use a drive socket #10. Use a ratchet wrench.
Step 69

Attach the body pillar trim panel.
Step 70

Screw in the fastener of the body pillar trim panel. Use Torx T20. Use a ratchet wrench.
Step 71

Install the airbag cover.
Step 72

Install the boot rear side lining.

Step 73

Install the seat belt trim cover.
Step 74

Install the clips of the boot side lining.

Step 75

Install the interior boot light.

Step 76

Reinstall the plastic car body protective cover.
Step 77

Screw in the fasteners of the plastic car body protective cover. Use a Phillips screwdriver.
Step 78

Install the rubber strip.
Step 79

Attach the side lining of the boot.
Step 80

Put down the lower lining of the boot.

Step 81

Return the seat to its original position.
Step 82

Install the folding shelf to its mounting seat.
Step 83

Close the lid of the luggage compartment.

Step 84

Remove the jacks and chocks.

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