Changing the rear shock absorbers on a BMW 3 Series E46

Raise the car with the jack and put the affected wheel in the air.

For the right side, there is a plastic screw that must be turned a quarter turn

For the left side, one plastic nail in the triangle support and another at the top in the middle

Pull up the carpet

If it gets stuck, don't hesitate to bend it.

Then pull the black rubber to reach the shock absorber head

Use the 16 key on the nut (note for reassembly, the nut supplied with the shock absorbers is a 17 nut)

Use the small key (6 or 7) to hold the shock absorber (otherwise it turns)

Unscrew

Note: If you subsequently notice that your cup is broken, you must unscrew the other 2 screws visible in the second photo.

In the last photo, the shock absorber is removed with its cup (if you keep yours, it will stay in place and only the threaded rod will come out)

Under the car, use the 18 key to unscrew the shock absorber foot

Install the dust cover on the new shock absorber (if you are changing it) or on your old one (if you only wanted to change the dust cover)

If necessary, install the new cup, taking care to remove the old seal.

Insert the shock absorber head into the hole then take care of the 18 nut (at the bottom)

For reassembly follow the steps in reverse order.