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How to change rear suspension strut on BMW E39 – replacement guide

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Important!

This replacement procedure can be used for:
BMW 5 Saloon (E39) 520i, BMW 5 Saloon (E39) 525tds, BMW 5 Saloon (E39) 523i, BMW 5 Saloon (E39) 528i, BMW 5 Saloon (E39) 540i, BMW 5 Saloon (E39) 535i, BMW 5 Saloon (E39) 525 td, BMW 5 Saloon (E39) 530 d, BMW 5 Saloon (E39) 535i, BMW 5 Saloon (E39) 520 d, BMW 5 Saloon (E39) 525 d, BMW 5 Saloon (E39) 520 i, BMW 5 Saloon (E39) 530 d, BMW 5 Saloon (E39) 525 i, BMW 5 Saloon (E39) 530 i … View more

The steps may slightly vary depending on the car design.

How to change rear shock strut on BMW 520i (E39) [TUTORIAL AUTODOC]

Alternative products

Shock absorber

Replacement: suspension strut – BMW E39. Tools you need:

                      Wire brush
                    
                      WD-40 spray
                    
                      Brake cleaner 
                    
                      Copper grease 
                    
                      Combination spanner #16
                    
                      Combination spanner #22
                    
                      Drive socket # 10 
                    
                      Drive socket # 13 
                    
                      Drive socket # 16 
                    
                      Drive socket # 21 
                    
                      Drive socket # 22 
                    
                      Wheel impact socket #17
                    
                      Ratchet wrench
                    
                      Torque wrench
                    
                      Shock absorber socket #DD6
                    
                      Tap wrench
                    
                      Crow bar
                    
                      Phillips screwdriver
                    
                      Plastic trim tool
                    
                      Hydraulic strut spring compressor
                    
                      Hydraulic transmission jack
                    
                      Wheel chock

Buy tools

Replacement: suspension strut – BMW E39. Tip from AUTODOC experts:

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

Replacement: suspension strut – BMW E39. Take the following steps:

Step 1

Remove the lower part of the rear seat.
Step 2

Unscrew the fasteners of the rear seat backrest. Use a drive socket #10. Use a ratchet wrench.
Step 3

Remove the rear seat headrests.
Step 4

Remove the rear seat backrest.
Step 5

Remove the side plastic cover. Use a plastic trim tool.
Step 6

Unscrew the rear seat headrest bracket. Use a Phillips screwdriver.
Step 7

Remove the clips from the parcel shelf.
Step 8

Detach the parcel shelf.
Step 9

Unscrew the fasteners of the speakers. Use a Phillips screwdriver.
Step 10

Detach the speaker connector.
Step 11

Remove the speakers.
Step 12

Bend the interior sound insulation upwards.
Step 13

Remove the shock strut mount cap.
Step 14

Loosen the upper fastener of the shock strut mount. Use a drive socket #13. Use a ratchet wrench.
Step 15

Secure the wheels with chocks.
Step 16

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

Raise the rear of the car and secure on supports.
Step 18

Unscrew the wheel bolts.

Replacement: suspension strut – BMW E39. Tip from AUTODOC:
To avoid injury, hold up the wheel when unscrewing the bolts.
Step 19

Remove the wheel.
Step 20

Clean the stabiliser link fasteners. Use a wire brush. Use WD-40 spray.
Step 21

Unscrew the fastener connecting the stabilizer link to the stabilizer bar. Use a combination spanner #16. Use a drive socket #16. Use a ratchet wrench.
Step 22

Remove the stabilizer rod.
Step 23

Disconnect the brake pads wear sensor. Use a crowbar.

Please note!
Some cars are not equipped with the brake pad wear sensor.
Step 24

Support the arm. Use a hydraulic transmission jack.
Step 25

Spread the brake pads. Use a crowbar.
Step 26

Clean the brake caliper bracket fasteners. Use a wire brush. Use WD-40 spray.
Step 27

Unscrew the caliper bracket fastening. Use a drive socket #16. Use a tap wrench.
Step 28

Remove the brake caliper together with its bracket.

AUTODOC recommends:
Tie the caliper to the suspension or to the body with a wire without disconnecting from the brake hose to prevent depressurization of the brake system.Make sure that the brake caliper is not hanging on the brake hose.Don't press the brake pedal after the brake caliper has been removed. As a result, the piston can fall out from the brake cylinder, and brake fluid leakage and depressurization of the system may occur.
Step 29

Remove the support from under the arm.

AUTODOC recommends:
Replacement: suspension strut – BMW E39. Lower the transmission jack smoothly, without jerks, to avoid damaging components and mechanisms.
Step 30

Clean the shock strut fasteners. Use a wire brush. Use WD-40 spray.
Step 31

Unscrew the lower fastener of the shock absorber strut. Use a drive socket #21. Use a tap wrench.
Step 32

Clean all joints of the arm. Use a wire brush. Use WD-40 spray.
Step 33

Disconnect the ABS sensor wiring.
Step 34

Clean all joints of the arm. Use a wire brush. Use WD-40 spray.
Step 35

Unscrew the fastener connecting the control arm to the rear knuckle. Use a combination spanner #22. Use a drive socket #10. Use a ratchet wrench.
Step 36

Unscrew the arm fastening to the beam. Use a combination spanner #16.
Step 37

Detach the bottom part of the shock strut. Use a crowbar.
Step 38

Remove the fastening bolt.
Step 39

Remove the arm.
Step 40

Unscrew the top fastening of the shock strut mount.
Step 41

Remove the suspension strut.
Step 42

Set the shock absorber strut on the spring compressor tool.

Replacement: suspension strut – BMW E39. AUTODOC experts recommend:
Note that when using a spring compressor, spring coils need to be securely gripped, compressing the spring on the opposite sides.Ensure the correct position of the spring in the retainer.Make sure that the spring coils tightly entered the lock handles.
Step 43

Compress the spring.
Step 44

Treat the shock strut rod. Use a wire brush. Use WD-40 spray.
Step 45

Remove the strut piston rod nut. Use a shock absorber socket DD№6. Use a drive socket #16. Use a ratchet wrench.
Step 46

Remove the top strut mount.
Step 47

Release the coil spring.
Step 48

Remove the spring.
Step 49

Remove the shock absorber dust cap and the bump stop.
Step 50

Remove the old shock absorber from the hydraulic coil spring compressor.

Replacement: suspension strut – BMW E39. AUTODOC recommends:
Τhoroughly examine the shock absorber mount, dust boot, bump stop. Replace them if necessary.Before installing a new shock absorber you should pump it manually 3-5 times.
Step 51

Install the new shock absorber on the hydraulic coil spring compressor.
Step 52

Install the spring on the shock absorber.
Step 53

Install the dust sleeve and the bump stop on the new shock absorber.
Step 54

Compress the spring.
Step 55

Install the upper strut mount and the strut mount bearing.
Step 56

Tighten the shock strut piston rod nut. Use a shock absorber socket DD№6. Use a drive socket #16. Use a torque wrench. Tighten it to 27 Nm torque.

Replacement: suspension strut – BMW E39. Professionals recommend:
Check to make sure the spring is positioned correctly. Avoid its misalignment.
Step 57

Decompress the spring.
Step 58

Remove the assembled shock strut.
Step 59

Install the shock strut into the wheel arch.
Step 60

Screw the top fastening of the shock strut mount. Do not tighten it.

AUTODOC recommends:
Important! Hold the suspension strut while screwing in the fastening bolts. BMW E39
Step 61

Clean the mounting seats of the shock strut. Use a wire brush. Use WD-40 spray.
Step 62

Attach the bottom part of the shock strut.
Step 63

Tighten the lower fastening of the shock absorber. Use a drive socket #21. Use a torque wrench. Tighten it to 127 Nm torque.
Step 64

Clean the mounting seats and the thread of the suspension arm. Use a wire brush. Use WD-40 spray.
Step 65

Reinstall the control arm.

Replacement: suspension strut – BMW E39. Tip:
Do not damage the ball joint cover.
Step 66

Install the fastening bolt.
Step 67

Screw in the fastener that connects the control arm to the rear knuckle. Use a combination spanner #22. Use a drive socket #10. Use a ratchet wrench.
Step 68

Tighten the fastener connecting the suspension arm to the rear knuckle. Use a drive socket #22. Use a torque wrench. Tighten it to 142 Nm torque.
Step 69

Support the arm. Use a hydraulic transmission jack.
Step 70

Screw in the fastener connecting the control arm to the subframe. Use a combination spanner #16.
Step 71

Tighten the arm fastening to the beam. Use a drive socket #16. Use a torque wrench. Tighten it to 110 nm torque.
Step 72

Connect the ABS sensor wiring.
Step 73

Install the brake caliper together with its bracket.
Step 74

Tighten the brake caliper bracket. Use a drive socket #16. Use a torque wrench. Tighten it to 65 Nm torque.
Step 75

Connect the brake pads wear sensor.
Step 76

Remove the support from under the arm.

AUTODOC recommends:
Lower the hydraulic transmission jack smoothly, without jerks, to avoid damaging assemblies and mechanisms.
Step 77

Ιnstall the transverse stabilizer link.
Step 78

Tighten the fastener connecting the stabilizer link to the stabilizer bar. Use a combination spanner #16. Use a drive socket #16. Use a torque wrench. Tighten it to 60 Nm torque.
Step 79

Treat all joints of the arm. Treat the shock strut fasteners. Use copper grease.
Step 80

Treat the surface where the brake disc contacts the wheel rim. Use copper grease.
Step 81

Clean the brake disk surface. Use a brake cleaner.

AUTODOC recommends:
Replacement: suspension strut – BMW E39. After applying the spray, wait a few minutes.
Step 82

Install the wheel.

AUTODOC recommends:
Important! Hold the wheel while screwing in the fastening bolts. BMW E39
Step 83

Screw in the wheel bolts. Use wheel impact socket #17.
Step 84

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 85

Remove the jacks and chocks.
Step 86

Tighten the upper fastener of the shock absorber strut mount. Use a drive socket #13. Use a torque wrench. Tighten it to 24 Nm torque.
Step 87

Treat the fasteners of the shock strut mount. Use copper grease.
Step 88

Install the shock strut mount cap.
Step 89

Reinstall the interior sound insulation.
Step 90

Reinstall the speakers.
Step 91

Screw in the fasteners of the speakers. Use a Phillips screwdriver.
Step 92

Attach the speaker connector.
Step 93

Reinstall the parcel shelf.
Step 94

Reinsert the parcel shelf clips.
Step 95

Screw in the rear seat headrest bracket. Use a Phillips screwdriver.
Step 96

Install the side plastic panel. Use a plastic trim tool.
Step 97

Reinstall the rear seat backrest.
Step 98

Screw in the fasteners of the rear seat backrest. Use a drive socket #10. Use a ratchet wrench.
Step 99

Reinstall the rear seat headrests.
Step 100

Reinstall the lower part of the rear seat.

Replacement: suspension strut – BMW E39. Tip from AUTODOC experts:
Without starting the engine, press the brake pedal several times until you feel significant resistance.

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