Rear suspension spring — removal and installation (BMW 3 Series E46)

Removal

1. Support the front wheels. Raise the rear of the vehicle and place it on supports (see "Raising and jacking up the vehicle"). Remove the appropriate wheel.

2. Unscrew the bolts securing the drive shaft to the main gear flange. Disconnect the drive shaft from the flange and secure it with a piece of wire (see chapter 8).

Note: Do not allow the drive shaft to hang under its own weight as this will cause the CV joint to break.

3. Remove the lower fuel tank panel from the underside of the vehicle (if it exists).

4. On models with axle load sensors, remove the nut and disconnect the sensor rod from the upper suspension arm.

5. Disconnect the anti-roll bar (if it exists) (see paragraph 16).

6. Unscrew the bolt and remove the brake hose bracket from the longitudinal arm (Fig. 12.6).



7. Place a jack under the rear of the trailing arm and support it.

8. Remove the lower shock absorber mounting bolt.

9. Slowly lower the trailing arm, without putting tension on the brake hose, until the spring can be removed.

10. Remove the spring seats. If the spring is removed indefinitely, lift the lever back up and insert the lower shock absorber mounting bolt.



11. Carefully inspect the spring and make sure there are no cracks or other damage. Inspect the spring seats and make sure there is no wear. Replace faulty parts if necessary.

Installation

12. Install the spring seats, making sure they are in place (fig. 12.12).



13. Apply a small amount of grease to the ends of the spring and align the spring with the upper seat. Note that the smaller diameter of the spring should be on top.

14. Support the spring in this position and slowly lift the trailing arm so that the spring rests on the lower seat.

15. Raise the lever fully and insert the lower shock absorber mounting bolt, tightening it by hand.

16. Install the brake hose bracket to the trailing arm.

17. Install the anti-roll bar (see paragraph 16).

18. Install the fuel tank panel.

19. Connect the drive shaft to the final drive and tighten the mounting bolts to the specified torque (see chapter 8).

20. Install the wheel, lower the vehicle to the ground and tighten the wheel mounting bolts and the lower shock absorber mounting bolt to the specified torque.