Just a word of caution, NEVER compress the springs in the upright position with the spring facing you., have it on the ground with the spring facing to the left or right of you. I found out first hand how dangerous a compressed spring can be, just as I finished compressing the spring, as I turned to put the wrench down the spring compressor let go and the spring shot out like a cannon through the open garage door and landed 15 meters across the road. So don't be casual when compressing a coil spring, it can take your head off.
How in the world did you get this style of spring compressor to actually take the tension off? I've been messing with just that step for an hour and it wont do it no matter how I set it up, and it's not like this is my first time doing a suspension.
why did you have to replace? Would like more verbal commentary as you do these jobs. I like how you keep in the difficult issues. keeping it in reality. love that!
@@HansGarage am I correct that those were 6 yrs old? is that the average lifetime of shocks? I'm just trying to learn basic auto maintenance. Your channel is a really good resource but I have no basic knowledge so I have questions when I follow along so some basic commentary added would help me. I'm not trying to be rude just giving my viewpoint as a newbie. I have e46 m54 '04. Trying to keep it maintained. Thank you for your response! Appreciate it. fpc guarantee is good.
@@bogusienombre355 actually just depends on how rough you drive and miles go from 50 to 100 thousand. This is all just recommended time frame but I'm just replacing them regardless front and rear along with my front control arms and tie rods.
I can't figureout how you removed it in one piece without compressing the spring. Doing my 2001 330i right now and it won't allow me to lower the lower control arm enough to slide it out of the knuckle. Please help!!!
Didn't need to take the ball joint out of the steering knuckle to get it out, or just didn't show us? Also, I have had to do everything to my e46 that you have to yours, including the fender lol. I think some of your torque specs are for E36 though, for instance strut mount bearing to body should be 34Nm which is more like 24 lb ft.
Great catch! 1:16 was the older set up from the previous owner, which is why I decided to reinstall it properly. 9:31 is how it's supposed to be installed. It was a very little difference but now it's the perfect ride height as it should be.
@@HansGarage wrong install, take a look at google photos for original shock absorber,you could see that most are with spring sitting not in the groove.
Hey man, so you went from B4 to B4. How long did the first B4 last you? Ive had B8s for 10 years on my 330 and they still handle like new!!! Im about to put B4s on my 528 and youre making me have second thoughts about the B4s. Why didnt the B4s last you?
Never mind, I read other comments and youre the guy who uses warranty for something that is still in working order. I knew Bilsteins are forever shocks. You buy an Interstate battery at Costco and use the warranty on the 2 years and 11 months mark so your warranty wont ever expire. I knew a Costco tire shop manager who recommended I did that so I never had to pay for a battery again. Hes sweeping floors at Costco again. 😂
@@HansGarage Spring should be rotated anti clockwise about 50mm at the bottom from point You showed. It has elliptical form there and that way it sits right. It is easy to see that taking new part and playing with it, as well observing whole assembly in original images. I know from the metal form it seems spring should be fitted like You did and i had made same mistake. Thank You!
![How to change a front shock strut on BMW 3 (E46) [TUTORIAL AUTODOC]](/img/n.gif)
Just a word of caution, NEVER compress the springs in the upright position with the spring facing you., have it on the ground with the spring facing to the left or right of you.
I found out first hand how dangerous a compressed spring can be, just as I finished compressing the spring, as I turned to put the wrench down the spring compressor let go and the spring shot out like a cannon through the open garage door and landed 15 meters across the road.
So don't be casual when compressing a coil spring, it can take your head off.
Great tip. I wonder if it was only for the camera angle. His first spring was properly laid down
How in the world did you get this style of spring compressor to actually take the tension off? I've been messing with just that step for an hour and it wont do it no matter how I set it up, and it's not like this is my first time doing a suspension.
Thank you for showing me how to replace the strut
why did you have to replace? Would like more verbal commentary as you do these jobs. I like how you keep in the difficult issues. keeping it in reality. love that!
The ones I had were pretty old even though they had low miles on em. Plus I have lifetime warranty on these so just thought to change them out
@@HansGarage am I correct that those were 6 yrs old? is that the average lifetime of shocks? I'm just trying to learn basic auto maintenance. Your channel is a really good resource but I have no basic knowledge so I have questions when I follow along so some basic commentary added would help me. I'm not trying to be rude just giving my viewpoint as a newbie. I have e46 m54 '04. Trying to keep it maintained. Thank you for your response! Appreciate it. fpc guarantee is good.
@@bogusienombre355 actually just depends on how rough you drive and miles go from 50 to 100 thousand. This is all just recommended time frame but I'm just replacing them regardless front and rear along with my front control arms and tie rods.
@@HansGarage Thank you Han. Your channel is inspiring.
Good job !
Very nice, very useful. Thank you.
I hit in the down direction, did I screw up the axle ? it "seems: like it popped out at the transmission side, IDK, time to stop and think about it.
Use a pancake compressor, much safer and around $100. Great video.
I'm not an expert, and I want to learn more. What type of tool are you referring to?
How to: th-cam.com/video/yaabe8ucIl4/w-d-xo.html
@@martymeyer4125 Thank you for the guidance.
I can't figureout how you removed it in one piece without compressing the spring. Doing my 2001 330i right now and it won't allow me to lower the lower control arm enough to slide it out of the knuckle. Please help!!!
Did you lift up the car enough??
Didn't need to take the ball joint out of the steering knuckle to get it out, or just didn't show us?
Also, I have had to do everything to my e46 that you have to yours, including the fender lol.
I think some of your torque specs are for E36 though, for instance strut mount bearing to body should be 34Nm which is more like 24 lb ft.
No need to take the steering balljoint out
If you look at 1:16 and then at 9:31 the bottom part of the spring does not seem to be seated properly. Did this change the ride height?
Great catch! 1:16 was the older set up from the previous owner, which is why I decided to reinstall it properly. 9:31 is how it's supposed to be installed. It was a very little difference but now it's the perfect ride height as it should be.
@@HansGarage wrong install, take a look at google photos for original shock absorber,you could see that most are with spring sitting not in the groove.
Did you have to drop the inner tie rod and lower ball joint?
Nope. Only the sway bar link
Hey man, so you went from B4 to B4. How long did the first B4 last you? Ive had B8s for 10 years on my 330 and they still handle like new!!!
Im about to put B4s on my 528 and youre making me have second thoughts about the B4s.
Why didnt the B4s last you?
Never mind, I read other comments and youre the guy who uses warranty for something that is still in working order. I knew Bilsteins are forever shocks.
You buy an Interstate battery at Costco and use the warranty on the 2 years and 11 months mark so your warranty wont ever expire. I knew a Costco tire shop manager who recommended I did that so I never had to pay for a battery again. Hes sweeping floors at Costco again. 😂
@@likits1999 yeap used my warranty and new car new shocks haha
Youre too much man! I love it! A man who knows how to use his resources!!!
Im gonna go install my B4s now. Bilstein rocks but not more than you! 😂
9:30 spring at the bottom is installed wrong.
Really? How should it be installed?
@@HansGarage Spring should be rotated anti clockwise about 50mm at the bottom from point You showed. It has elliptical form there and that way it sits right. It is easy to see that taking new part and playing with it, as well observing whole assembly in original images. I know from the metal form it seems spring should be fitted like You did and i had made same mistake.
Thank You!
@meinardstauns2864 Thank you! Ill mention this in my next video
Y thankx mate.. ima bout 2 tackle this front mf here in a bit.. unwantingly... ipray it goes well.. !!
Good job HAN
Why not replace spring
These were fairly new so I just swapped them
10/10