How to Replace Shocks & Springs on a BMW E30
Replacing the springs and shocks on an older BMW 3 Series like the E30 is one of the best ways to make it feel like new again. Old, worn-out shocks ruin the ride and handling of a car. When replacing the shocks, it is also easy to replace the springs for some stiffer ones that will improve your car's handling. This can be done in one day with the proper tools and know-how.
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Things You'll Need
- New shocks and springs
- Complete set of sockets and ratchet
- Complete set of open-end wrenches
- Jack
- Jack stands
- Spring compressor
Instructions
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1
Loosen lug nuts on wheels. Place the car securely on jack stands and remove all four wheels. Remove the front brake calipers by removing the 13-mm upper and lower bolts that hold it in place. Use a 15-mm open-end wrench to hold the locknuts on the other end of the bolts. Slide the caliper off the mounting bracket. On the driver's side, unplug the brake wear sensor. Fasten the calipers out of the way so that they are not hanging on the brake line. You are not entirely removing the caliper, just moving it out of the way for clearance.
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2
Remove the tie rods by removing the 19-mm lock-nut that holds the tie rod on. Place a tie rod puller between the control arm and the tie rod and tap with a hammer to free the tapered shaft of the tie rod. At this point, the strut should rotate easily. Unbolt the front swaybar drop link from the control arm. There is a 19-mm nut that holds the drop link to the control arm.
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3
Using a spring compressor, compress the springs until the tension is removed from the top of the strut mount. Tighten each side of the compressor evenly. Be extremely careful when compressing springs to avoid injury.
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4
Remove the three nuts that hold the top of the strut mount to the chassis and lower the strut. It will still be attached at the control arm. Use an impact wrench to remove the 19-mm nut that holds the strut rod in the mount. You can also use vise grips to clamp the rod to keep it from turning as you loosen the nut.
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5
Reach inside the spring perch and remove the top strut mount. Remove the upper spring retainer plate and rubber gaskets. Remove the dust cover around the strut rod and remove the threaded collar that holds that strut inside the strut housing. Use a larger pair of channel locks to unscrew the collar.
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6
Pull the strut out of the housing. Compress the new spring and put it back onto the strut housing, ensuring that it seats on the rubber spacer. Slide the new shock into the housing and reassemble in reverse of removal.
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7
Once the strut housing is reattached to the chassis with the three nuts, carefully loosen the spring compressor. Reinstall the ball joint, swaybar drop link and brake caliper.
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8
Move to the rear of the car. Undo the straps on the muffler to allow the muffler to be lowered out of the way of the trailing arms and differential. Place a jackstand under the muffler to support it.
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9
Remove the front exhaust mounting bracket. Remove the 13-mm nut that holds the swaybar link to the trailing arm. Place a jack under the differential and snug it up against the differential to support its weight.
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10
Disconnect the speedometer sender on the differential. Use a wrench to remove the bolt that holds the differential mount on. Lower the jack and differential, being careful not to snag any of the brake lines.
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11
Press down on the trailing arms. You can have another person stand on them. This will allow you to pull out the spring. Install the new springs and raise and reconnect the differential. Reinstall the exhaust bracket and muffler.
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12
Jack up the rear control arm to release the tension on the shock. Loosen the lower shock absorber mounting bolt with a 19-mm wrench but do not remove it. Go inside the trunk and remove the two 10-mm nuts that hold the shock mount in place.
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13
Remove the lower shock mounting bolt and lower the shock and shock mount out of the car. Remove the gasket that seals the shock mount to the chassis. Place the shock in a vise or some means of securing it and loosen the 17-mm nut at the top. Use vise grips to secure the square part of the shock while you remove this nut.
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14
Install the new shock into the mount and reinstall in reverse of removal. Reinstall wheels and lower the car to the ground. Have an alignment shop align the suspension.
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