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How to change rear strut mount on BMW X3 E83 – replacement guide
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Important!
This replacement procedure can be used for:
BMW X3 (E83) xDrive20d, BMW X3 (E83) xDrive 30 d, BMW X3 (E83) 3.0i xDrive, BMW X3 (E83) 3.0d, BMW X3 (E83) 2.0d, BMW X3 (E83) 3.0d, BMW X3 (E83) 3.0 si, BMW X3 (E83) 2.5si, BMW X3 (E83) 2.0 sd, BMW X3 (E83) xDrive 20 i, BMW X3 (E83) xDrive25i, BMW X3 (E83) xDrive30i, BMW X3 (E83) xDrive20d, BMW X3 (E83) xDrive 18 d, BMW X3 (E83) xDrive 30 d, BMW X3 (E83) xDrive 35 d, BMW X3 (E83) 2.0i, BMW X3 (E83) 3.0sd … View more
The steps may slightly vary depending on the car design.
BMW X3 (E83) xDrive20d, BMW X3 (E83) xDrive 30 d, BMW X3 (E83) 3.0i xDrive, BMW X3 (E83) 3.0d, BMW X3 (E83) 2.0d, BMW X3 (E83) 3.0d, BMW X3 (E83) 3.0 si, BMW X3 (E83) 2.5si, BMW X3 (E83) 2.0 sd, BMW X3 (E83) xDrive 20 i, BMW X3 (E83) xDrive25i, BMW X3 (E83) xDrive30i, BMW X3 (E83) xDrive20d, BMW X3 (E83) xDrive 18 d, BMW X3 (E83) xDrive 30 d, BMW X3 (E83) xDrive 35 d, BMW X3 (E83) 2.0i, BMW X3 (E83) 3.0sd … View more
The steps may slightly vary depending on the car design.
How to change rear strut mount BMW X3 E83 [TUTORIAL AUTODOC]

All the parts you need to replace – Strut Mount for X3 (E83) and other BMW models
Top strut mount
Alternative products

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
Replacement: strut mount – BMW X3 E83. Tip from AUTODOC experts:
- 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.
- Please note: all work on the car – BMW X3 E83 – should be done with the engine switched off.
Carry out replacement in the following order:
- Step 1Open the boot lid.
- Step 2Move the folding shelf and detach it from the retainers. By doing this, you will get access to the side trim plastic panels.
- Step 3Fold down the backrests of the rear seats.
- Step 4Raise the lower lining of the boot.
- Step 5Detach the boot side lining.
- Step 6Unscrew the fasteners of the plastic car body protective cover. Use a Phillips screwdriver.
- Step 7Remove the rubber strip.
- Step 8Remove the plastic car body protective cover.
- Step 9Remove the interior boot light.
- Step 10Remove the seat belt trim cover.
- Step 11Detach the boot rear side lining.Step 12Unscrew the fasteners of the side plastic trim panel. Use a drive socket #10. Use a ratchet wrench.
- Step 13Remove the clips from the parcel shelf. Use Torx T25. Use a ratchet wrench.
- Step 14Detach the parcel shelf.Step 15Remove the airbag cover. Use a plastic trim tool.
- Step 16Unscrew the fastener of the body pillar trim panel. Use Torx T20. Use a ratchet wrench.Step 17Remove the body pillar trim panel.
- Step 18Unscrew the fasteners of the seat belt panel. Use a Phillips screwdriver.
- Step 19Remove the seat belt panel.
- Step 20Remove the side plastic cover.
- Step 21Detach the boot side lining.Step 22Remove the clips of the boot side lining. Use a plastic trim tool.Step 23Unscrew the fastener of the boot side lining. Use a Phillips screwdriver.
- Step 24Detach the boot side lining.
- Step 25Remove the protective cap of the shock absorber mount.
- Step 26Clean the shock absorber fasteners. Use a wire brush. Use WD-40 spray.
- Step 27Loosen the upper fastener of the shock absorber. Use a drive socket #13. Use a ratchet wrench.
- Step 28Secure the wheels with chocks.Step 29Loosen the wheel mounting bolts. Use wheel impact socket #17.
- Step 30Raise the rear of the car and secure on supports.
- Step 31Unscrew the wheel bolts.AUTODOC recommends:Warning! To avoid injury, hold the wheel while unscrewing the fastening bolts. BMW X3 E83
- Step 32Remove the wheel.
- Step 33Support the arm. Use a hydraulic transmission jack.
- Step 34Clean the shock absorber fasteners. Use a wire brush. Use WD-40 spray.
- Step 35Unscrew the upper fastener of the shock absorber. Use a drive socket #13. Use a ratchet wrench.
- Step 36Unscrew the lower fastener of the shock absorber. Use a drive socket #18. Use a tap wrench.
- Step 37Remove the fastening bolt.AUTODOC recommends:BMW X3 E83 – To avoid injury, hold the shock absorber while unscrewing the fastening bolts.Step 38Remove the shock absorber.
- Step 39Grip the shock absorber in a vice.Step 40Clean the shock absorber rod fastener. Use a wire brush. Use WD-40 spray.
- Step 41Remove the shock absorber piston rod fastening. Use a shock absorber socket DD№6. Use a drive socket #16. Use a ratchet wrench.
- Step 42Remove the shock strut mount.Replacement: strut mount – BMW X3 E83. Tip from AUTODOC experts:Examine the shock absorber dust cap and the bump stop. Replace them if necessary.
- Step 43Install a new strut mount.
- Step 44Tighten 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 45Treat the shock absorber rod fastener. Use copper grease.
- Step 46Release the vice and take out the shock absorber.
- Step 47Clean the shock absorber mounting seats. Use a wire brush. Use WD-40 spray.
- Step 48Place the shock absorber in the wheel arch and secure it.AUTODOC recommends:BMW X3 E83 – To avoid injury, hold the shock absorber while screwing in the fastening bolts.
- Step 49Install the fastening bolt.
- Step 50Tighten the lower fastener of the shock absorber. Use a drive socket #18. Use a torque wrench. Tighten it to 100 Nm torque.
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