Disassembling the shock absorber strut and shock absorber / removing and installing the coil spring (BMW 5 Series E34)

Please note: Springs on the same axle are replaced only in pairs and springs with the same number indicated on the end of the spring are installed.

Removal

Remove the shock absorber strut.

To remove the shock absorber, it is necessary to compress the coil spring. Compress the spring with a special device.

Caution: Loosen the shock absorber nut only when the spring is compressed.

Clamp the shock absorber strut in a vice and compress the spring with a suitable compression device.

Caution: When installing the clamping device lugs into the spring coil, make sure that they grip the coils securely and that the device cannot jump off the spring. The spring must be compressed from 3 opposite sides. The coil spring is strongly compressed, so only use a powerful clamping device. Never tighten the spring with wire. Risk of injury!

Attention: Loosen the fastening nut only when the spring is compressed.

Remove the cap.

Loosen the nut with a bent open-end wrench, while holding the piston rod from turning.

Caution: The nut is too tight, you may have to loosen it by hitting it with a hammer and a wrench.

Remove the washer.



Remove the thrust bearing with the sealing washer,

Remove the washer, the upper spring cup with the gasket, and the spring.

Note: If you only need to replace the spring, unload it slowly. If you only need to replace the shock absorber, the spring remains compressed.

Remove the protective tube, as well as the plastic spring or rubber bellows.

Unscrew the threaded ring and remove the shock absorber.

Remove old oil from the shock absorber cup.

Caution: Store the shock absorber only in the standing position. When storing the shock absorber with the piston rod retracted in the lying position after installing the shock absorber on the car, knocking may occur. If necessary, store the shock absorber with the shock absorber extended at room temperature for no more than 24 hours.

Installation

The new coil spring has an anti-corrosion varnish coating. When installing, check the integrity of the coating and, if necessary, touch up the spring.

Pour about 30 cm³ of SAE 30 engine oil into the shock absorber strut cup. The engine oil serves to transfer heat from the shock absorber to the shock absorber strut.

Note: Gas-filled shock absorbers do not require filling with oil.

Insert the new shock absorber into the shock absorber strut. Tighten the threaded ring with a tightening torque of 130 Nm.

Assemble the shock absorber strut in accordance with Figure W-3614. Ensure correct fit of the coil spring to the surfaces of the upper and lower spring cups.

Note: When replacing the thrust bearing, pay attention to the marking or near the threaded pin. Install only a bearing with the same marking, otherwise the camber setting will be knocked off.

The sealing washer is installed with the concave side facing the support bearing.

Tighten the new self-locking nut to 65 Nm while holding the piston rod from turning (the hexagon socket head bolt is tightened to a tightening torque of 45 Nm).

Slowly release the spring.

Install the cap and mount the shock absorber strut.