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) 3.0 d, BMW X3 (E83) 3.0 si, BMW X3 (E83) 2.5 si, 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) 2.0 i, BMW X3 (E83) 3.0 sd … 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

        Top strut mount for X3 (E83) Diesel (163 hp)
      
        Top strut mount for X3 (E83) Diesel (211 hp)
      
        Top strut mount for X3 (E83) Petrol (231 hp)
      
        Top strut mount for X3 (E83) Diesel (204 hp)
      
        Top strut mount for X3 (E83) Diesel (150 hp)
      
        Top strut mount for X3 (E83) Petrol (150 hp)
      
        Top strut mount for X3 (E83) Diesel (218 hp)
      
        Top strut mount for X3 (E83) Petrol (272 hp)
      
        Top strut mount for X3 (E83) Petrol (218 hp)

Replacement: strut mount – BMW X3 E83. Tools you might 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: 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 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

Detach the boot side lining.

Step 22

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

Step 23

Unscrew the fastener of the boot side lining. Use a Phillips screwdriver.
Step 24

Detach the boot side lining.
Step 25

Remove the protective cap of the shock absorber mount.
Step 26

Clean the shock absorber fasteners. Use a wire brush. Use WD-40 spray.
Step 27

Loosen the upper fastener of the shock absorber. Use a drive socket #13. Use a ratchet wrench.
Step 28

Secure the wheels with chocks.

Step 29

Loosen the wheel mounting bolts. Use wheel impact socket #17.
Step 30

Raise the rear of the car and secure on supports.
Step 31

Unscrew the wheel bolts.

AUTODOC recommends:
Warning! To avoid injury, hold the wheel while unscrewing the fastening bolts. BMW X3 E83
Step 32

Remove the wheel.
Step 33

Support the arm. Use a hydraulic transmission jack.
Step 34

Clean the shock absorber fasteners. Use a wire brush. Use WD-40 spray.
Step 35

Unscrew the upper fastener of the shock absorber. Use a drive socket #13. Use a ratchet wrench.
Step 36

Unscrew the lower fastener of the shock absorber. Use a drive socket #18. Use a tap wrench.
Step 37

Remove the fastening bolt.

AUTODOC recommends:
BMW X3 E83 – To avoid injury, hold the shock absorber while unscrewing the fastening bolts.
Step 38

Remove the shock absorber.
Step 39

Grip the shock absorber in a vice.

Step 40

Clean the shock absorber rod fastener. Use a wire brush. Use WD-40 spray.
Step 41

Remove the shock absorber piston rod fastening. Use a shock absorber socket DD№6. Use a drive socket #16. Use a ratchet wrench.
Step 42

Remove 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 43

Install a new strut mount.
Step 44

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 45

Treat the shock absorber rod fastener. Use copper grease.
Step 46

Release the vice and take out the shock absorber.
Step 47

Clean the shock absorber mounting seats. Use a wire brush. Use WD-40 spray.
Step 48

Place 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 49

Install the fastening bolt.
Step 50

Tighten the lower fastener of the shock absorber. Use a drive socket #18. Use a torque wrench. Tighten it to 100 Nm torque.
Step 51

Remove the support from under the arm.

AUTODOC recommends:
Replacement: strut mount – BMW X3 E83. Lower the transmission jack smoothly, without jerks, to avoid damaging components and mechanisms.
Step 52

Treat the shock absorber fasteners. Use copper grease.

Step 53

Clean the wheel rim mounting seat. Use a wire brush.
Step 54

Treat the surface where the brake disc contacts the wheel rim. Use copper grease.
Step 55

Clean the brake disk surface. Use a brake cleaner.

AUTODOC recommends:
Replacement: strut mount – BMW X3 E83. After applying the spray, wait a few minutes.
Step 56

Install the wheel.

AUTODOC recommends:
Important! Hold the wheel while screwing in the fastening bolts. BMW X3 E83
Step 57

Screw in the wheel bolts. Use wheel impact socket #17.
Step 58

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 59

Tighten the top shock absorber fastening. Use a drive socket #13. Use a torque wrench. Tighten it to 24 Nm torque.
Step 60

Treat the shock absorber fasteners. Use copper grease.
Step 61

Install the protective cap of the shock absorber mount.
Step 62

Attach the side lining of the boot.
Step 63

Screw in the fastener of the boot side lining. Use a Phillips screwdriver.
Step 64

Reinstall the parcel shelf.

Step 65

Reinsert the parcel shelf clips. Use Torx T25. Use a ratchet wrench.
Step 66

Attach the side lining of the boot.

Step 67

Install the side plastic panel. Reinstall the seat belt panel.
Step 68

Screw in the fasteners of the seat belt panel. Use a Phillips screwdriver.
Step 69

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

Step 70

Attach the body pillar trim panel.
Step 71

Screw in the fastener of the body pillar trim panel. Use Torx T20. Use a ratchet wrench.
Step 72

Install the airbag cover.
Step 73

Install the boot rear side lining.

Step 74

Install the seat belt trim cover.

Step 75

Install the clips of the boot side lining.
Step 76

Install the interior boot light.

Step 77

Reinstall the plastic car body protective cover.
Step 78

Screw in the fasteners of the plastic car body protective cover. Use a Phillips screwdriver.
Step 79

Install the rubber strip.
Step 80

Attach the side lining of the boot.
Step 81

Put down the lower lining of the boot.

Step 82

Return the seat to its original position.
Step 83

Install the folding shelf to its mounting seat.
Step 84

Close the lid of the luggage compartment.

Step 85

Remove the jacks and chocks.

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