How to Change BMW Struts


1. Loosen the lug nuts for the wheels. Raise the BMW at all four corners with a floor jack. Lower it onto jack stands at all four corners and ensure that it is safely secured on the jacks. Remove the wheels and set them aside.
2. Disconnect any sensors or wires that go to the brake caliper. Disconnect the ABS sensor from the strut housing. Depending on the model, this may be held on with a small Allen bolt. Pull the ABS sensor out of the strut housing. Pull the brake lines off of the small brackets on the strut that holds the line in place.
3. Remove the set screw that holds the brake rotor to the hub. Pull the rotor and the caliper off as a unit. Support the rotor and brake assembly with a jack, or slide one of the wheels under the wheel arch so the rotor and caliper are supported without putting any weight on the brake line.
4. Disconnect the swaybar link where it attaches to the strut. There is usually a nut that holds the bushing to the bracket on the swaybar. To prevent the shaft for the bushing from turning, place an adjustable wrench on the flat side of the bushing shaft to hold it in place while the nut is removed.
5. Remove the bolts that hold the lower part of the strut to the strut carrier. These are accessed from below. Remove the three nuts that hold the upper part of the strut to the strut tower. These are accessed through the engine bay.
6. Remove the strut from the wheel arch. You may need to turn the steering wheel to move the suspension and allow enough clearance to remove the strut.
7. Place the strut on a flat surface. Place the spring compressor over the coil spring so that the hooks are securely fastened on it. Compress the springs evenly, ensuring that the spring compressor does not slide around the springs.
8. Remove the top center nut once the springs are compressed enough to release the tension on it. It may help to use an impact wrench to remove this nut. Remove the upper strut bearing and any associated bushings and washers. Pull the spring (still compressed) up over the strut. Do not decompress the spring.
9. Slide the new strut into the strut housing. Place the spring back over the strut. Replace the bushings, washers, strut bearing and the larger center nut. Tighten the nut to the proper specs. Carefully decompress the spring, ensuring that it seats properly in the upper and lower spring perches.
10. Reinstall the strut housing in the reverse order of removal. Reattach the upper nuts and the lower bolts. Refasten the swaybar link and the control arm if it was disconnected. Reattach all of the brake lines and wires that go to the brakes and the strut housing. Repeat the above steps for the other side.
11. Move to the rear. Disconnect the large single bolt that holds the lower shock assembly to the trailing arm. Remove the three upper nuts that fasten the upper part of the shock assembly to the shock tower. Depending on the model, these may be accessed through the trunk or from the interior behind the rear seats.
12. Remove the strut and spring assembly from the wheel arch. You may need to press down on the trailing arm to allow enough clearance for removal.
13. Place the shock and spring on a flat surface. Place the spring compressor over the coil spring so that the hooks are securely fastened on it. Compress the springs evenly, ensuring that the spring compressor does not slide around the springs.
14. Remove the top center nut once the springs are compressed enough to release the tension on it. It may help to use an impact wrench to remove this nut. Remove the upper shock bearing and any associated bushings and washers. Pull the spring (still compressed) up over the strut. Do not decompress the spring.
15. Slide the spring over the new shock. Replace the bushings, washers, strut bearing and the larger center nut. Tighten the nut to the proper specs. Carefully decompress the spring, ensuring that it seats properly in the upper and lower spring perches.
16. Reinstall the shock and spring assembly on the car. Hand tighten the lower bolt. Tighten the upper nuts and then the lower bolt to the proper torque. Repeat the above steps on the other side. Place the wheels back on the car and lower it to the ground.