Removal and installation the shock absorber strut (BMW 3 Series E36)

Removal

Remove the brake caliper and secure it to the body with wire.

Caution: The brake hose remains connected, otherwise the brake system will need to be bled later.

Screw in the wheel bolt and secure it to the wheel bolt and coil spring, see figure.

With this suspension, the hub will not fall after the bolts are loosened.



Unscrew the stabilizer brace from the shock absorber strut, holding it with a wrench.



Unscrew the lower bolts "1" of the shock absorber strut.



Clean the threaded holes and bolts with a wire brush.



Unscrew the centering bolt "2", while marking the position of the spacer washers (on both sides) for their subsequent installation.

Remove the cap from the shock absorber column.



Unscrew the 3 nuts securing the "arrow" on the shock absorber column and pull the shock absorber down.

Attention: Do not unscrew the fastening nut "1" of the coil spring.

Installation

Insert the shock absorber strut from below and tighten it with new self-locking nuts to a tightening torque of 22 Nm.

Insert the centering bolt "2" from below, while observing the correct installation position of the spacer washers (Figure W 4034). Screw on a new self-locking nut and tighten it to a torque of 110 Nm.