Important!

This replacement procedure can be used for:
BMW 3 Coupe (E46) 323 Ci, BMW 3 Coupe (E46) 328Ci, BMW 3 Coupe (E46) 320Ci, BMW 3 Coupe (E46) 318Ci, BMW 3 Coupe (E46) 320 Ci, BMW 3 Coupe (E46) 325Ci, BMW 3 Coupe (E46) 316 Ci, BMW 3 Coupe (E46) 318Ci, BMW 3 Coupe (E46) 330 Cd, BMW 3 Coupe (E46) 320 Cd, BMW 3 Coupe (E46) 316 Ci, BMW 3 Coupe (E46) 318Ci, BMW 3 Coupe (E46) 330Ci … 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

All the parts you need to replace – Strut Mount for 3 Coupe (E46) and other BMW models

Alternative products

Top strut mount

Replacement: strut mount – BMW 3 Coupe (E46). 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: strut mount – BMW 3 Coupe (E46). AUTODOC experts recommend:

The replacement procedure is identical for the mounts of the right and left shock absorbers of the rear suspension.
Both mounts of the rear shock struts should be replaced simultaneously.
All work should be done with the engine stopped.

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.

AUTODOC recommends:
Warning! To avoid injury, hold the wheel while unscrewing the fastening bolts. BMW 3 Coupe (E46)
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

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

Replacement: strut mount – BMW 3 Coupe (E46). AUTODOC recommends:
To avoid injuries, hold the shock absorber when undoing the fastening bolts.
Step 14

Remove the fastening bolt.
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: strut mount – BMW 3 Coupe (E46). Tip from AUTODOC:
Examine the shock absorber dust cap and the bump stop. Replace them if necessary.
Step 21

Install the new mount, boot, and bump stop on the 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.

AUTODOC recommends:
Important! Hold the shock absorber while screwing in the fastening bolts. BMW 3 Coupe (E46)
Step 27

Screw the upper fastener of the shock absorber. Use a drive socket #13.
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: strut mount – BMW 3 Coupe (E46). 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.

Replacement: strut mount – BMW 3 Coupe (E46). Professionals recommend:
To avoid injury, hold up the wheel when screwing in the fastening bolts.
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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