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Subject: How to change strut insert in an e30 or How to R&R Strut insert Author: hgjacobsen as IBHenry : member since May, 2007 : 7075 posts Posted on: 2007-12-27 21:17:57

Gets little bit involved.
Jack up the front end with 2 jack stand and take the tire out.

Steering knuckle is bolt on, you can remove 3 17mm bolts, and take out the knuckle plate. Then remove the sway bar. Should be 15mm or 16mm.

You will need 10mm hex to take caliper out, use a stiff wire (such as a coat hanger) and hang it so that the hose is supported and not strectched or use another jack stand to support the bottom of the caliper. Then take off the caliper mounting bracket. Should be two 16 mm or 18mm bolts.

Take a 5mm or 7mm hex and remove the little rotor holding bolt. It is easy to strip, so be sure to hammer it to shock it loose or spray a liquid spray penetrant, ie WD40, etc. in and around the hex before turning. After removing hex bolt and caliper carrier, the rotor will come right out.

Support the shock housing with a small jack, remove the top 3 shock mounting nuts. The shock assembly, including the housing will drop, so be prepared.

Take a spring compressor, compress the spring to remove the tension off the shock mount. Then remove the 19mm top nut (easier if you use an air impact gun. You will need to use standard socket because impact socket is too thick to use against this nut). After this point, the spring, shock mount can be removed.

At the top center of the shock, you will find a large nut holding the shock into the housing. Remove this nut (I use large pipe wrench) and shock will slide out. Installation is reverse of the removal.

Pics soon to come!

"No matter where you go, there you are."
2001 BMW 740iL

Mods: New cluster from BMWNA!, Quad taillights, Cross drilled rotors and ceramic pads all the way around, new Traction struts & Control arms=No shimmy! Angel Eyes, done!

• How to change strut insert in an e30 or How to R&R Strut insert - IBHenry 2007-12-27 21:17:57 (2832 views)
  • Revised! This is for my 1988 BMW 325i Convertible (pic) (url) - IBHenry 2007-12-29 22:09:00 (2244 views)
    • NICE JOB BRO! You were busy! were is my T H stuff ;-) (nt) - Edwin 2008-03-10 03:20:05 (583 views)
    • Just want to add a very needed trick for lower ball joint control arm removal - IBHenry 2008-03-09 17:16:21 (727 views)
      • Job finished for the day! (pic) (url) - IBHenry 2008-03-10 00:05:42 (805 views)
    • Nice write up! - 04sshd 2008-01-23 03:24:38 (603 views)
    • Thanks Great post...you make it look easy (nt) - henry 2007-12-30 08:17:39 (626 views)
      • Thanks Henry! Nice of you to visit the e30 board! (nt) - IBHenry 2007-12-30 11:41:05 (632 views)
    • And before anyone asks , I put new rotors and pad on too! (nt) - IBHenry 2007-12-29 22:18:14 (612 views)
      • excellent write-up and pics. Thanks (nt) - shogun 2007-12-30 02:31:40 (709 views)
        • No problem Shogun! Everyone loves pics! - IBHenry 2007-12-30 11:43:08 (592 views)