Changing the shock absorber stop and front shock absorber on BMW 3 Series E36

Open the hood

Locate the shock domes

Locate the 3 screws + nuts on the shock dome

Locate the cap on the shock head

Using a flathead screwdriver, remove the shock absorber cap

Do not unscrew anything!

Put the car on a jack stand for your safety

Remove the wheels

Securing the vehicle: removing and refitting the wheel

Look behind the brake disc to see the screws to be removed.

Hexagonal screw (socket 18) x2

Hexagonal screw and nut (socket 18)

Place a candle under the hub to relieve the stress on the screws

We loosen the screws from the previous step

For the screw and its nut you need a socket wrench and an open-end wrench.

Unscrew the screws and the nut

Put the parts in a box with a label

It is always better to replace the removed screws with new ones.

Remove the ABS sensor cable and brake hose from the shock absorber by hand

ABS sensor

Unlock but above all DO NOT UNSCREW the nut of the shock absorber rod!

It is possible that the nut turns in a vacuum, in reality it turns with the rod in the shock absorber.

At this point, you need a 22 mm (very thin) ring spanner to turn the nut and a 6 mm Allen key to lock the rod. (photo 3)

Photo 3 is an example of how to UNLOCK the rod nut on the shock absorber.

You can unscrew the 3 nuts (13 socket) from the shock absorber dome

Be careful, you have to hold the shock absorber from underneath because it will fall.

Be careful of the ABS that goes around the shock absorber. You have to remove the shock absorber without damaging it.

Check that the center distance of the 3 studs is the same

You can also check it before disassembly directly on the dome.

Take the maximum possible amplitude to set up the compressors (several turns)

Using a spring compressor in perfect condition!

Place the spring compressor claws on the coils (top and bottom)

Put the safety devices (depending on the model)

Some springs have a red marking that indicates the location to put the compressor

By tightening by hand (for positioning), check that the 2 compressors are perfectly opposite each other in relation to the spring axis.

Compress the spring by tightening the compressors in turn.

(I used 2 ratchets to go faster and avoid compressing one side more than the other)

Compress the spring until it no longer applies force to the cup and therefore to the shock absorber stop.

This time we need to completely unscrew the nut that we loosened in step 8.

Use a socket with a pair of pliers or vise grips to lock the nut. Then an Allen key to turn the rod

Do not put your face above the shock absorber!

Once the nut is removed you can remove the shock absorber stop

Be careful not to lose the washers (yellow arrows)

Remove the spring but without putting your fingers between the coils

Order of parts (top to bottom):

1- Nut; 2 - Upper shock absorber stop washer; 3 - Shock absorber stop; 4 - Lower shock absorber stop washer; 5 - Shock absorber cup washer; 6 - Shock absorber cup + upper rubber (blue arrow); 7 - Spring; 8 - Lower rubber; 9 - Elastic stop; 10 - Bellows; 11 - Cup washer

The cup washer is not present on all E36s

Replace the stops and protective plastics with new ones.

Install the elastic stop (protective sleeve + bellows)

Mount everything on the shock absorber rod

Pass the cup washer into the rod, the cup on the sleeve side

Recover the washers from the old thrust bearing if they are in good condition

Clean the washers before putting them on the new stop

Replacing the washers

Reassembly in reverse order

Have the nut screwed onto the rod before starting to loosen the compressors

Place the spring securely in the notch of the shock absorber with its rubber before loosening the compressors.

Shock absorber in place

You can see the condition of the old sleeve