About to be shocked... - United Bimmer Community

**3050rpm** · 01-13-2007, 09:38 PM

The time's approaching (actually, has approached) for new shocks, there's just too much float for my liking. The rears are simple enough to do by myself, the fronts I'll have the mechanic do, since the control arms need to be replaced as well. Aside from the shocks themselves, are there any ancillary hardware bits and pieces (e.g., the protection pads, gaskets, whatnot) that should also be replaced

, or can those items simply be cleaned up and used again? Thanks.

**c1apton** · 01-13-2007, 10:31 PM

strut bearings (fronts) they're the rubberpads at the top of struts with bearings in them - good idea to replace them while it's apart.

**Dudesky** · 01-14-2007, 07:18 AM

+1 what c1apton said. The last thing you want is to have to replace them AFTER the new struts were already installed. Also:

-a good idea to replace your upper and lower spring pads

-inspect your compression absorbers and shaft protection tubes. This applies mostly to rear shocks; if you buy Bilstein struts for the front, they already come with protective covering.

-ALWAYS replace the mounting nuts (#31331092887) that hold the shocks/struts to the chassis. These are designed for one-time use, and shouldn't be reused. The same goes for the upper strut-to-hub mounting nut (#07129964661) & washer (#07119931021).

-you should replace the rear shock mounts (RSM). Might as well do it while the shocks are off, even if you're not experiencing problems with them. The OEM version doesn't come with a gasket, so make sure you buy one. A better alternative is the E46 mounts, along with reinforcement plates designed for the Z3.

**3050rpm** · 01-14-2007, 08:31 AM

Gents- Many thanks for this

. As the saying goes, divinity (or the devil) is in the details, and I'd just as soon be on the right side of the angels with this, so a few extra parts are in (on) order...

**mullethunter3** · 01-14-2007, 12:05 PM

Here's some DIY's for what you will be doing:
Front Strut Replacement

Rear Shocks Replacement

**3050rpm** · 01-14-2007, 01:31 PM

Yes, thank you, I have checked those out, VERY helpful. (By the way, I've noticed the seasonal change in the on-line signature, and while I'm normally one who gets a kick out of winter, I am looking forward to a quick return to warmer weather and a look at those fantastic gams of yours again.)

**bimmerZ5** · 01-14-2007, 02:01 PM

you know, for the one-time cost of $40 to buy a set of spring compressors from Craftsman/Sears (or cheaper elsewhere), you can do the front struts yourself. you may need additional tools depending on what bushings you'll want to press out and replace. front struts are perfectly DIY-able.

if you can, i would jack up the car and do a very careful inspection of the suspension before you go out ordering parts. you may discover bushings or other components you will want to replace.

All the mounts use a paper gasket against the body of the car. those will need replacement. A lot of the hardware will need to be replaced as well. From memory, those are:

1. 6x strut mount bolts
2. 2x strut to strut mount (this has a nylon lock)
3. 4x bolts w/ washer and red loctite that bolt the strut to the lower wheel hub assembly. the upper bolt with nut can be reused.
4. 4x rear shock mount nuts
5. 2x rear shock to rear shock mount nuts (the bolt for the lower shock to trailing arm can be re-used)

You can use the stronger E46 M3 cabriolet rear shock mounts which supposedly use a harder, sturdier rubber. Another option is to use aftermarket ones that cost about $100. Definitely get the Z3 reinforcement plates.

**Dudesky** · 01-14-2007, 02:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bimmerZ5

1. 6x strut mount bolts
2. 2x strut to strut mount (this has a nylon lock)
3. 4x bolts w/ washer and red loctite that bolt the strut to the lower wheel hub assembly. the upper bolt with nut can be reused.
4. 4x rear shock mount nuts
5. 2x rear shock to rear shock mount nuts (the bolt for the lower shock to trailing arm can be re-used)

Slight clarifications:
Item 1 and item 4 are the same nuts (#31331092887).
Item 2 comes with the struts when you buy them.
Item 3: There are only 3 fasteners on the E36- 2 lower and 1 upper. The upper bolt can be reused, but the nut (#07129964661) & washer (#07119931021) cannot unless you use Loctite 262.

**3050rpm** · 01-14-2007, 09:51 PM

To One and All,

for your interest and responsiveness.

**Reddots89** · 01-17-2007, 05:56 PM

i have a 96 328i convertible with 165000 miles and i just replaced al lthat crap. i replaced the conrol arms, ball joints, bushings, tie rods, shocks, struts, and i think thats about it. the car rides like brand new now. i was quoated over 1000 bucks to do it all so i decided to do it myself. i rented spring compressors from autozone and it was a pretty easy task, it was just time consuming . i also used a press to get the busing connected to the control arm off. that probally gave me the most trouble. the back only took like 20 minutes

**3050rpm** · 01-19-2007, 04:09 AM

Hmmm, you're building up my courage...