Removal and installation rear suspension springs (BMW 3 Series E46)

Removal

1. Mark the position of the corresponding rear wheel relative to the hub with paint. This will allow the balanced wheel to be installed in its original position during assembly. Loosen the wheel mounting bolts with the car on the ground. Raise the rear of the car, place it on stands and remove the rear wheel.

2. Remove the drive shaft, refer to the relevant section.

3. Remove the fuel tank trim at the rear.

4. Disconnect the anti-roll bar on the appropriate side.



5. Disconnect the brake hose holder from the trailing arm.

The brake hose must not be subjected to tensile load.

6. Support the lower control arm "4" with a garage lift, using a wooden shim underneath.

If this condition is not met, the suspension will fall down after the shock absorber is disconnected.

7. Disconnect the shock absorber "1" from the wheel holder. Mark the position of both washers for subsequent correct installation. The thrust washer "3" of the rubber support points towards the head of the bolt "2".

8. Lower the garage lift.



9. Press the wheel suspension down and remove spring "1" to the side.

Installation

10. Check the spring pads at the top and bottom for damage, replace if necessary. In this case, lubricate the upper spring pad with a sliding agent, such as soap or tire mounting paste, before installation.

11. Press the suspension down and insert the spring.

12. Raise the lower arm slightly with a garage lift.

13. Secure the shock absorber at the bottom, without tightening the mounting nut yet. Don't forget to put washers on both sides of the shock absorber mount. The rubber support thrust washer should point towards the bolt head.

14. Move the lift away.

15. Secure the brake hose holder to the trailing arm.

In this case, the brake hose should not be subjected to tensile loads.

16. Secure the stabilizer to the appropriate side of the vehicle.

17. Install the drive shaft, refer to the relevant section.

18. Install the rear wheel so that the markings applied during removal match. Pre-lubricate the centering belt of the wheel disk on the hub with a thin layer of bearing grease. Do not lubricate the wheel mounting bolts. Replace rusty bolts. Tighten the bolts. Lower the car onto the wheels and tighten the bolts crosswise to a torque of 100 N·m.

19. With the vehicle unladen, tighten the shock absorber mounting bolt to 100 Nm, refer to Section Removal and installation the rear shock absorber.

20. Secure the fuel tank trim at the rear.