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) 520 i,
BMW 5 Saloon (E39) 525 tds,
BMW 5 Saloon (E39) 523 i,
BMW 5 Saloon (E39) 528 i,
BMW 5 Saloon (E39) 540 i,
BMW 5 Saloon (E39) 535 i,
BMW 5 Saloon (E39) 525 td,
BMW 5 Saloon (E39) 530 d,
BMW 5 Saloon (E39) 535 i,
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
…
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The steps may slightly vary depending on the car design.
How to change rear shock strut on BMW 520i (E39) [TUTORIAL AUTODOC]
All the parts you need to replace – Shock Absorber for 5 Saloon (E39) and other BMW models
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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