Important!

This replacement procedure can be used for:
BMW 3 Saloon (E36) 320 i, BMW 3 Saloon (E36) 325 i, BMW 3 Saloon (E36) 325 td, BMW 3 Saloon (E36) 325 tds, BMW 3 Saloon (E36) 328 i … View more

The steps may slightly vary depending on the car design.

How to change a front shock strut on BMW E36 [TUTORIAL AUTODOC]

All the parts you need to replace – Shock Absorber for 3 Saloon (E36) and other BMW models

Shock absorber

Suspension Strut

        Shock absorber for BMW 3 Saloon (E36) 320 i Petrol (150 hp)
      
        Shock absorber for BMW 3 Saloon (E36) 325 i Petrol (192 hp)
      
        Shock absorber for BMW 3 Saloon (E36) 325 td Diesel (115 hp)
      
        Shock absorber for BMW 3 Saloon (E36) 325 tds Diesel (143 hp)
      
        Shock absorber for BMW 3 Saloon (E36) 328 i Petrol (193 hp)

Replacement: suspension strut – BMW E36. Tools you might need:

                        Wire brush
                      
                        WD-40 spray
                      
                        Brake cleaner 
                      
                        Copper grease 
                      
                        Torque wrench
                      
                        Combination spanner #18
                      
                        Drive socket # 9
                      
                        Drive socket # 13
                      
                        Drive socket # 18
                      
                        Drive socket # 19
                      
                        Drive socket # 22
                      
                        Wheel impact socket #17
                      
                        Ratchet wrench
                      
                        Crow bar
                      
                        Hydraulic strut spring compressor
                      
                        Hydraulic transmission jack
                      
                        Fender cover
                      
                        Wheel chock

Buy tools

Replacement: suspension strut – BMW E36. Tip from AUTODOC experts:

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

Replacement: suspension strut – BMW E36. Use the following procedure:

Step 1

Open the bonnet.
Step 2

Use a fender protection cover to prevent damaging paintwork and plastic parts of the car.
Step 3

Secure the wheels with chocks.

Step 4

Clean the fasteners of the shock strut upper mount. Use a wire brush. Use WD-40 spray.
Step 5

Loosen the upper fasteners of the suspension strut. Use a drive socket #13. Use a ratchet wrench.
Step 6

Loosen the wheel mounting bolts. Use wheel impact socket #17.
Step 7

Raise the front of the car and secure on supports.
Step 8

Unscrew the wheel bolts.

AUTODOC recommends:
Warning! To avoid injury, hold the wheel while unscrewing the fastening bolts. BMW E36
Step 9

Remove the wheel.
Step 10

Clean the fasteners connecting the shock strut to the steering knuckle. Use a wire brush. Use WD-40 spray.
Step 11

Unscrew the fasteners connecting the suspension strut to the steering knuckle. Use a combination spanner #18. Use a drive socket #18. Use a ratchet wrench.
Step 12

Detach the brake hose from the shock strut.
Step 13

Disconnect the ABS sensor wiring.
Step 14

Prop up the steering knuckle. Use a hydraulic transmission jack.
Step 15

Remove the fastening bolts.
Step 16

Disconnect the steering knuckle from the shock absorber strut.
Step 17

Unscrew the upper fasteners of the shock strut.

AUTODOC recommends:
BMW E36 – To avoid injury, hold the suspension strut while unscrewing the fastening bolts.
Step 18

Remove the suspension strut.
Step 19

Set the shock absorber strut on the spring compressor tool.

Replacement: suspension strut – BMW E36. Professionals 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 20

Compress the spring.
Step 21

Remove the shock strut mount cap. Use a crowbar.
Step 22

Treat the shock strut rod. Use a wire brush. Use WD-40 spray.
Step 23

Remove the strut piston rod nut. Use a drive socket #9. Use a drive socket #22. Use a ratchet wrench.
Step 24

Remove the shock absorber mount, boot and bump stop.

Replacement: suspension strut – BMW E36. AUTODOC recommends:
Τhoroughly examine the shock absorber mount, dust boot, bump stop. Replace them if necessary.
Step 25

Release the coil spring.
Step 26

Remove the spring.
Step 27

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

Replacement: suspension strut – BMW E36. Tip:
Before installing a new shock absorber you should pump it manually 3-5 times.
Step 28

Install the new shock absorber on the hydraulic coil spring compressor.
Step 29

Install the spring on the shock absorber.
Step 30

Compress the spring.
Step 31

Install the dust sleeve and the bump stop on the new shock absorber.
Step 32

Install the upper strut mount and the strut mount bearing.
Step 33

Tighten the shock strut piston rod nut. Use a drive socket #9. Use a drive socket #19. Use a torque wrench. Tighten it to 52 Nm torque.

Replacement: suspension strut – BMW E36. Tip from AUTODOC:
Check to make sure the spring is positioned correctly. Avoid its misalignment.
Step 34

Treat the shock strut rod. Use copper grease.
Step 35

Install the shock strut mount cap.
Step 36

Decompress the spring.
Step 37

Remove the assembled shock strut.
Step 38

Treat the shock strut mounting seat on the steering knuckle. Use a wire brush. Use WD-40 spray.
Step 39

Install the shock strut into the wheel arch.
Step 40

Secure the upper fasteners of the shock strut. Do not tighten it.

AUTODOC recommends:
BMW E36 – To avoid injury, hold the suspension strut while screwing in the fastening bolts.
Step 41

Fix the shock absorber strut on the steering knuckle.
Step 42

Install the fastening bolts.
Step 43

Remove the support from under the steering knuckle.

AUTODOC recommends:
Replacement: suspension strut – BMW E36. Lower the transmission jack smoothly, without jerks, to avoid damaging components and mechanisms.
Step 44

Screw in the fasteners connecting the suspension strut to the steering knuckle. Use a combination spanner #18. Use a drive socket #18. Use a ratchet wrench.

Step 45

Tighten the lower fasteners connecting the shock strut to the steering knuckle. Use a combination spanner #18. Use a drive socket #18. Use a torque wrench. Tighten it to 107 Nm torque.
Step 46

Attach the brake hose.
Step 47

Connect the ABS sensor wiring.
Step 48

Treat the shock strut fasteners. Use copper grease.
Step 49

Clean the wheel rim mounting seat. Use a wire brush.
Step 50

Treat the surface where the brake disc contacts the wheel rim. Use copper grease.
Step 51

Clean the brake disk surface. Use a brake cleaner.

AUTODOC recommends:
Replacement: suspension strut – BMW E36. After applying the spray, wait a few minutes.
Step 52

Install the wheel.

AUTODOC recommends:
Warning! To avoid injury, hold the wheel while screwing in the fastening bolts on the car. BMW E36
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 wheel impact socket #17. Use a torque wrench. Tighten it to 120 Nm torque.
Step 55

Remove the jacks and chocks.
Step 56

Tighten the upper fasteners of the shock strut. Use a drive socket #13. Use a torque wrench. Tighten it to 32 Nm torque.
Step 57

Treat the shock strut fasteners. Use copper grease.
Step 58

Remove the fender protection cover.
Step 59

Close the hood.

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