Did they also demand your first born son? 900 what in the world, some poor lady who has no idea and nobody with knowledge in her life actually pays that scam!
Thank you for the very clear step-by-step procedure, you made it easy to remove and installation plus simple techniques in removing the front struts by turning the wheel so that strut would drop down and clear from the fender for the strut to remove. I appreciate it very much and soon I'll be doing this task to my BMW 335i
Very good vids, I just did the rear of my E92 over the weekend (shocks, springs, M3 control arms) and will be doing the front shortly. I'll be using the front end vid for reference, great job! Oh, and for the previous commenter I'm doing this in my garage with floor jacks and jacks stands, its a pain but very doable.
Fantastically clear. You have a gift. Would you mind please doing the same for the wagon? The E91 has a horrendous set of housings and panels needing to be removed-just to get to that shock bolt. I figured it out. But it’s more complex than the sedan.
I would remove the shock (as shown in the video) and inspect the lower mount bushing (in the control arm) and the upper bushings. Also inspect the shock itself. Additionally, inspect the swaybar end link for worn joints that could be clunking,
Hi Otto, Regarding the refitting of the trunk side trim panels: for a 2011 E90 without folding rear seats, what is the trick to reinstalling the trim panel forward edge(s) behind and between the fixed seat trim and the back of the seat? Also, thank you for all the excellent blog videos!
This is really an "it all depends" question. If the vehicle (and the shocks) have low mileage, then a single replacement would make sense. However, if the shocks have 50,000 miles, or more (for example), a new shock will likely have different damping than the old one, due to normal wear of the old ones. In this case replacing in pairs would be the best choice. If finances don't really fit this, nothing is going to be damaged or be unsafe if just the one is replaced, for now.
Great video! it did help me lot... I'm also looking for an oil pan gasket replacement video on an E90 with a N52 engine. would love to see a video made for that BMW model. Thanks!
I noticed that BMW publishes a torque for the upper shock mount nut but no one does this in any of the videos I've seen. How is one even supposed to torque the upper nut and counterhold the shock at the same time?
My Aquilles Heel when arriving to these procedures is the car elevator, I will love to have one in my garage. Can this procedure be performed using jack stands?
This is the nice video with clear discription. However I'm thinking about my E87's strange sound from left rear footwork area while watching this vids. Which sound like light noise when I runnnig bad road surface, also when I jack up vehicle sound like metal be rubbed with stretching absorber. If you have the opinion, please give me the idea.
You may have a shock, shock mount or control arm bushing issue. We would first suspect shock and shock mount as potentials. If you can hear a sound while jacking, work on locating that sound.
Pretty good video. I was wondering this will work with the BMW e90 in the U.K.?In regards to the springs. Would I need to do anything with them? Sorry to sound silly but I'm thinking in changing my front shocks myself. Also how did you lower your rear seats? I had the assumption you couldn't. Cheers
Thank You Very Much For This Informative video. My only question is, I have a 2006 330 XI E90 and I mistakenly bought Koni sport shock. I want to know if I can use them with the original springs or not before I pay for returning them. Thanks in advance
You can indeed use the Koni Sport shocks with stock springs. We suggest that you start with the settings full soft and adjust from there, unless you know that you do indeed want the shocks substantially firmer. We would not suggest starting at more than 1/2 between firm & soft.
A little bit late, but the range is usually somewhere between 30 000 and 60 000 miles. I traveled long distance most of the time, and I got 60 k miles out of mine, until they started to go bad and fuck up the ride comfort.
I change new shock but I found out the rubber bushing loose from end mounting from the control arm... My question sir can we replace just the rubber bushing where the shock lower mount thanks in advance..
Good video. However, i'm having trouble figuring out how to change the shock mount. I'm not able to figure out how to reveal it. But i'm certain that it needs to be changed because my shock sticks out about 6 inches (if not more) higher than yours does in the video. Also it rattles as i drive. Any ideas or videos that show how to reveal the shock mount? Thanks.
Can bad bushings cause a squeaking noise? There is a squeaky noise coming from the right rear end, I believe its the lower lateral to chassis bushing that's gone bad. And does the up arm have a busing in it?
All of the rear arms have bushings at the inner pivot points. Yes, a bushing could cause a squeak. Does the squeak happen if you compress the suspension when the car is at rest? If so, you can get the car on a drive-on lift and bounce the rear end while locating the noise from underneath,
Yes the squeak still happens. I pushed down on the trunk and the squeak is really bad and quite loud. The bushing on the Lower rear control arm does look pretty bad
Jusuf e90 You should be able to fully locate the source of the squeak if you can push down on the trunk and make it happen. It's best to be sure before diving in.
Jay E90 That could certainly do it. If you replace the bushings, you may want to consider the rest of the busings .... as long as you are up to the extra work and can handle the extra expense.
BavarianAuto It's because the control arm was hanging too low - the strut would have to bend to fully extend. The lower control arm should have been raised a bit and THEN the shock would have extended, allowing it to be tightened.
Sorry, but I can't tolerate neglecting 1) torque specs. 2) you must tighten a lower bolt on the vehicle's ride height. The manufacturer sets these parameters for a reason. As an engineer, I spend an enormous amount of time ensuring the part performs at its best. But this is impossible if you do not follow the instructions. And then people say BMW is unreliable. No, the so-called "expert" car mechanics ruin them.
Still some of the clearest instructional videos out there :-) Appreciate all the service over the years - miss you guys!
Just got quoted $900 to replace both rear shocks on 2011 328i , thanks for the video!
Did they also demand your first born son? 900 what in the world, some poor lady who has no idea and nobody with knowledge in her life actually pays that scam!
Thank you for the very clear step-by-step procedure, you made it easy to remove and installation plus simple techniques in removing the front struts by turning the wheel so that strut would drop down and clear from the fender for the strut to remove. I appreciate it very much and soon I'll be doing this task to my BMW 335i
Absolutely! When Otto is not performing tasks here at BavAuto, he is using a jack and jack-stands at home, just like you.
Bavarian Autosport aa
Very good vids, I just did the rear of my E92 over the weekend (shocks, springs, M3 control arms) and will be doing the front shortly. I'll be using the front end vid for reference, great job! Oh, and for the previous commenter I'm doing this in my garage with floor jacks and jacks stands, its a pain but very doable.
I appreciate this information. Both of my rear shocks have snapped. I'm so sick of that rattling sound. Literally two bolts? Wow!!! Thanks man.
I didn't finish watching video actually just started but you already opened my eyes
Fantastically clear. You have a gift. Would you mind please doing the same for the wagon? The E91 has a horrendous set of housings and panels needing to be removed-just to get to that shock bolt. I figured it out. But it’s more complex than the sedan.
Nice job BMW! I only need to take apart the hole trunk just to get to a bolt.
I would remove the shock (as shown in the video) and inspect the lower mount bushing (in the control arm) and the upper bushings. Also inspect the shock itself. Additionally, inspect the swaybar end link for worn joints that could be clunking,
Thanks for the video do you have one that replaces rear mounts for shocks
Hi Otto,
Regarding the refitting of the trunk side trim panels: for a 2011 E90 without folding rear seats, what is the trick to reinstalling the trim panel forward edge(s) behind and between the fixed seat trim and the back of the seat?
Also, thank you for all the excellent blog videos!
This was a great video. I notice you did not torque the nuts, why not? What is the torque value?
This is really an "it all depends" question.
If the vehicle (and the shocks) have low mileage, then a single replacement would make sense. However, if the shocks have 50,000 miles, or more (for example), a new shock will likely have different damping than the old one, due to normal wear of the old ones. In this case replacing in pairs would be the best choice. If finances don't really fit this, nothing is going to be damaged or be unsafe if just the one is replaced, for now.
Suspension components 'should' always be replaced as pairs.
Good video, would love to see the same video for the convertible e93.
Very clean and professional Job.
Great video! it did help me lot... I'm also looking for an oil pan gasket replacement video on an E90 with a N52 engine. would love to see a video made for that BMW model. Thanks!
I noticed that BMW publishes a torque for the upper shock mount nut but no one does this in any of the videos I've seen. How is one even supposed to torque the upper nut and counterhold the shock at the same time?
My Aquilles Heel when arriving to these procedures is the car elevator, I will love to have one in my garage. Can this procedure be performed using jack stands?
Depending on what model you have, it may be the shock itself, the upper shock mounts or a rear suspension bushing. What model BMW or MINI do you have?
Very good demonstrations.
This is the nice video with clear discription.
However I'm thinking about my E87's strange sound from left rear footwork area while watching this vids. Which sound like light noise when I runnnig bad road surface, also when I jack up vehicle sound like metal be rubbed with stretching absorber.
If you have the opinion, please give me the idea.
You may have a shock, shock mount or control arm bushing issue. We would first suspect shock and shock mount as potentials. If you can hear a sound while jacking, work on locating that sound.
Pretty good video. I was wondering this will work with the BMW e90 in the U.K.?In regards to the springs. Would I need to do anything with them? Sorry to sound silly but I'm thinking in changing my front shocks myself.
Also how did you lower your rear seats? I had the assumption you couldn't. Cheers
Thank You Very Much For This Informative video. My only question is, I have a 2006 330 XI E90 and I mistakenly bought Koni sport shock. I want to know if I can use them with the original springs or not before I pay for returning them. Thanks in advance
You can indeed use the Koni Sport shocks with stock springs. We suggest that you start with the settings full soft and adjust from there, unless you know that you do indeed want the shocks substantially firmer. We would not suggest starting at more than 1/2 between firm & soft.
Nice work
Thanks so much man for this video
You just saved me 500 bucks!
Is the spring also a necessity to replace or not
Very informative and well done.
Is it problem if the bushing at the bottom is rotten and falls apart when I touch it?
Wow this looks easy!
hi there i have the B8 and i don't know how to put the metal washer do you have a step guide?
What is the thin plate 2 bolts going from rear hub to the side subframe ?
I have an oil leak from front right shock. the dealer wants to replace both side complete set.can I just replace the leaking part?
To remove rear spring, Its just pray down the lower control arm to release the spring from the housing?
Thank you!
If installing coilover, what are some of the used part that should be replaced at the same time?
+Harry Chiu It really depends on the design of the coil-over kit. In most cases, new upper mounts would be a start.
What's the part number of the black expanding rivets?
Thanks for the guide!
to only change dust sleeves what will be required
What is the torque spec?
Thank you so much great video!
Recommendations on mileage to replace shocks?
A little bit late, but the range is usually somewhere between 30 000 and 60 000 miles. I traveled long distance most of the time, and I got 60 k miles out of mine, until they started to go bad and fuck up the ride comfort.
Perfect video.
I change new shock but I found out the rubber bushing loose from end mounting from the control arm... My question sir can we replace just the rubber bushing where the shock lower mount thanks in advance..
Yes, the lower shock mount is available, click the link below:
www.bavauto.com/fland.asp?part=35398%2001
Good video. However, i'm having trouble figuring out how to change the shock mount. I'm not able to figure out how to reveal it. But i'm certain that it needs to be changed because my shock sticks out about 6 inches (if not more) higher than yours does in the video. Also it rattles as i drive. Any ideas or videos that show how to reveal the shock mount? Thanks.
Can bad bushings cause a squeaking noise? There is a squeaky noise coming from the right rear end, I believe its the lower lateral to chassis bushing that's gone bad. And does the up arm have a busing in it?
All of the rear arms have bushings at the inner pivot points. Yes, a bushing could cause a squeak. Does the squeak happen if you compress the suspension when the car is at rest? If so, you can get the car on a drive-on lift and bounce the rear end while locating the noise from underneath,
Yes the squeak still happens. I pushed down on the trunk and the squeak is really bad and quite loud. The bushing on the Lower rear control arm does look pretty bad
Jusuf e90
You should be able to fully locate the source of the squeak if you can push down on the trunk and make it happen. It's best to be sure before diving in.
rear Lower lateral to chassis, #15 on the powerflex diagram that you guys have available
Jay E90
That could certainly do it. If you replace the bushings, you may want to consider the rest of the busings .... as long as you are up to the extra work and can handle the extra expense.
Doesn't the rear absorber extend itself after compressed due to internal gas pressure? Why do u need to help it to extend?
Not all shocks will have enough extension pressure to fully extend into place, without help.
BavarianAuto It's because the control arm was hanging too low - the strut would have to bend to fully extend. The lower control arm should have been raised a bit and THEN the shock would have extended, allowing it to be tightened.
When I turn the steering wheel to left/right it clicks(clicking sound). They said that its because of suspension is that true?
Sounds like your axle on both sides need replaced.
Merci !!
Thanks
hi, do you have video of how to do rear spring. 2006 e91
can you do some work on e34s
vidim da bom lahko kr sam zamenjo :D
tnx
what are the torque specs
Sorry, but I can't tolerate neglecting 1) torque specs. 2) you must tighten a lower bolt on the vehicle's ride height. The manufacturer sets these parameters for a reason. As an engineer, I spend an enormous amount of time ensuring the part performs at its best. But this is impossible if you do not follow the instructions. And then people say BMW is unreliable. No, the so-called "expert" car mechanics ruin them.
WTF...where did theinstall for the FRONT go?! Gimme a fekkin' break. You're showing the obvious/easy s**t. Holy S***!!!
It's in Part 1.