How to change rear strut mount on BMW E46 touring – replacement guide
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Important!
This replacement procedure can be used for:
BMW 3 Touring (E46) 330 d,
BMW 3 Touring (E46) 330 xd,
BMW 3 Touring (E46) 320 i,
BMW 3 Touring (E46) 318 i,
BMW 3 Touring (E46) 328 i,
BMW 3 Touring (E46) 320 d,
BMW 3 Touring (E46) 330 xd,
BMW 3 Touring (E46) 330 xi,
BMW 3 Touring (E46) 330 i,
BMW 3 Touring (E46) 320 i,
BMW 3 Touring (E46) 325 i,
BMW 3 Touring (E46) 325 xi,
BMW 3 Touring (E46) 320 d,
BMW 3 Touring (E46) 318 i,
BMW 3 Touring (E46) 316 i,
BMW 3 Touring (E46) 318 d,
BMW 3 Touring (E46) 318 d
…
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The steps may slightly vary depending on the car design.
How to change rear strut mount / rear top munt BMW 3 (E46) [TUTORIAL AUTODOC]
All the parts you need to replace – Strut Mount for 3 Touring (E46) and other BMW models
Replacement: strut mount – BMW E46 touring. 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.
All work should be done with the engine stopped.
Replacement: strut mount – BMW E46 touring. Recommended sequence of steps:
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
Remove the seat belt trim cover. Use a crowbar.
Step 5
Remove the plastic clip of the boot front side lining. Use a crowbar.
Step 6
Remove the battery cover.
Step 7
Detach the boot rear side lining.
Step 8
Unscrew the fasteners of the side plastic trim panel. Use Torx T25.
Step 9.1
Unscrew the fasteners of the boot vent panel.
Step 9.2
Use a drive socket #10. Use a Phillips screwdriver.
Step 10
Unscrew the fasteners of the boot front side lining. Use a Phillips screwdriver.
Step 11
Detach the boot front side lining from the upper fasteners. Use a crowbar.
AUTODOC recommends:
Replacement: strut mount – BMW E46 touring. Do not use excessive force when removing the part as this may damage it.
Step 12
Remove the lower clip of the boot front side lining. Use ear clamp pliers.
Step 13
Remove the boot front side lining. Use a crowbar.
Step 14
Clean the fasteners of the shock absorber upper mount. Use a wire brush. Use WD-40 spray.
Step 15
Loosen the upper fastener of the shock absorber. Use a drive socket #13. Use a ratchet wrench.
Step 16
Secure the wheels with chocks.
Step 17
Loosen the wheel mounting bolts. Use wheel impact socket #17.
Step 18
Raise the rear of the car and secure on supports.
Step 19
Unscrew the wheel bolts.
Replacement: strut mount – BMW E46 touring. AUTODOC recommends:
To avoid injury, hold up the wheel when unscrewing the bolts.
Step 20
Remove the wheel.
Step 21
Support the arm. Use a hydraulic transmission jack.
Step 22
Clean the shock absorber fasteners. Use a wire brush. Use WD-40 spray.
Step 23
Unscrew the lower fastener of the shock absorber. Use a drive socket #18. Use a tap wrench.
Step 24
Unscrew the upper fastener of the shock absorber. Use a drive socket #13. Use a ratchet wrench.
Replacement: strut mount – BMW E46 touring. Tip:
To avoid injuries, hold the shock absorber when undoing the fastening bolts.
Step 25
Remove the shock absorber.
Step 26
Grip the shock absorber in a vice.
Step 27
Clean the shock absorber rod fastener. Use a wire brush. Use WD-40 spray.
Step 28
Remove the shock absorber piston rod fastening. Use a combination spanner #16.
Step 29
Release the vice and take out the shock absorber.
Step 30
Remove the shock absorber mount, boot and bump stop.
Replacement: strut mount – BMW E46 touring. Tip from AUTODOC experts:
Examine the shock absorber dust cap and the bump stop. Replace them if necessary.
Step 31
Install the new mount, boot, and bump stop on the shock absorber.
Step 32
Grip the shock absorber in a vice.
Step 33
Screw the shock strut piston rod upper fastening. Use a combination spanner #16. Use an adjustable wrench. Use a torque wrench. Tighten it to 20 Nm torque.
Step 34
Release the vice and take out the shock absorber.
Step 35
Clean the shock absorber mounting seats. Use a wire brush. Use WD-40 spray.
Step 36
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 E46 touring
Step 37
Tighten the lower fastener of the shock absorber. Use a drive socket #18. Use a torque wrench. Tighten it to 100 Nm torque.
Step 38
Tighten the top shock absorber fastening. Use a drive socket #13. Use a torque wrench. Tighten it to 28 Nm torque.
Step 39
Remove the support from under the arm.
AUTODOC recommends:
Replacement: strut mount – BMW E46 touring. Lower the transmission jack smoothly, without jerks, to avoid damaging components and mechanisms.
Step 40
Install the boot front side lining. Install the lower clip of the boot front side lining.
Step 41
Screw the fasteners of the boot front side lining. Use a Phillips screwdriver.
Step 42
Screw the side fasteners of the boot vent panel. Use a Phillips screwdriver.
Step 43
Install the plastic clip of the boot front side lining.
Step 44
Screw the upper fasteners of the boot vent panel. Use a drive socket #10. Use a ratchet wrench.
Step 45
Screw the fasteners of the side plastic trim panel. Use Torx T25.
Step 46
Install the seat belt trim cover.
Step 47
Install the boot rear side lining.
Step 48
Install the battery cover.
Step 49
Return the seat to its original position.
Step 50
Install the folding shelf to its mounting seat.
Step 51
Clean the wheel rim mounting seat. Use a wire brush. Treat the contacting surface. Use copper grease.
Step 52
Install the wheel.
Replacement: strut mount – BMW E46 touring. Professionals recommend:
To avoid injury, hold up the wheel when screwing in the fastening bolts.
Step 53
Screw in the wheel bolts. Use wheel impact socket #17.
Step 54
Lower the car and working in a cross order, tighten the wheel bolts. Use a torque wrench. Tighten it to 120 nm torque.
Step 55
Remove the jacks and chocks.
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