Removal and installation rear shock absorbers (BMW 3 Series E36)

Removal

Fold back the trim in the luggage compartment in the area of the upper shock absorber mount.

Raise the rear of the car.

Support the lower control arm with a jack, using a wooden shim.

Note: If this is not done, the rear axle will fall after the shock absorber is unscrewed. This will damage the axle shaft.

Unscrew the shock absorber from below. Mark the position of both spacer washers for subsequent installation. The spacer washer of the rubber support faces the head of the bolt.



Remove the shock absorber strut cap.



Unscrew the 2 nuts of the centering cup in the wheel arch and pull the shock absorber down.

Attention: Store the shock absorber only in a vertical position, otherwise knocking may begin during operation, if this happens, pull out the shock absorber rod and store the shock absorber for 24 hours in a vertical position.

Installation

Check the shock absorber.

It is imperative to replace the gasket between the shock absorber and the body.

Insert the shock absorber and screw it from below, without tightening the bolts yet. Do not forget to install spacer washers on both sides of the shock absorber.

Remove the jack and lower the vehicle.

Bring the car to normal condition, that is, it should be on wheels and have a normal load.

Tighten the lower shock absorber mount with a tightening torque of 100 Nm.

Tighten the shock absorber from the luggage compartment side with 2 new self-locking nuts to a tightening torque of 25 Nm.

Put on the cap and install the luggage compartment trim.

[Information taken from this resource «www.bmwman.ru»]