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Introduction

This tutorial explains the steps to change the rear shock absorbers. The model used is an e91 330d phase 1.

Normally replacing rear shock absorbers is quick and easy but on this vehicle you need to be well equipped and patient.

  1. 
Shock absorber

Lower shock absorber mounting nut
    • Shock absorber

    • Lower shock absorber mounting nut

    • Lower outer stop fixing screw

  2. 
Open the trunk

Remove the plastic fixing cap by pulling on it.

Remove the trunk liner by pulling on it.
    • Open the trunk

    • Remove the plastic fixing cap by pulling on it.

    • Remove the trunk liner by pulling on it.

    • Shock absorber head location.

    • Remove the rubber cap by hand.

  3. 
You loosen the nut with a curved ring wrench or a 16mm ratcheting ring wrench for

that you block the shock absorber rod with a 6mm hex socket or a 6mm flat wrench.

The shock absorber rod is very fragile, do not use a 7mm flat wrench or a 12-sided socket.
    • You loosen the nut with a curved ring wrench or a 16mm ratcheting ring wrench for

    • that you block the shock absorber rod with a 6mm hex socket or a 6mm flat wrench.

    • The shock absorber rod is very fragile, do not use a 7mm flat wrench or a 12-sided socket.

    • Once you've turned the nut a turn or two you should be able to finish loosening it without having to lock the rod.

  4. 
Once the nut is completely released, remove the stop on which it is held.

Once the nut is completely released, remove the stop on which it is held.
    • Once the nut is completely released, remove the stop on which it is held.

  5. 
Using a 17mm socket, remove the clamping nut.

Do not remove the 2 lower stop fixing screws yet because it is impossible to remove the shock absorber/stop assembly.

Compress the shock absorber by hand. Once it reaches the stop, remove it.
    • Using a 17mm socket, remove the clamping nut.

    • Do not remove the 2 lower stop fixing screws yet because it is impossible to remove the shock absorber/stop assembly.

    • Compress the shock absorber by hand. Once it reaches the stop, remove it.

  6. 
Pull it off by hand and then clean the contact surface.

Pull it off by hand and then clean the contact surface.

Pull it off by hand and then clean the contact surface.
    • Pull it off by hand and then clean the contact surface.

  7. 
Using a Torx E12 female socket, remove the 2 screws then the stop.

Clean the stopper surface.

Clean the stopper surface.
    • Using a Torx E12 female socket, remove the 2 screws then the stop.

    • Clean the stopper surface.

  8. 
There are 4 pieces that I reused:

1 - The rubber cap that sits on

the upper outer stop with the spacer.
    • There are 4 pieces that I reused:

    • 1 - The rubber cap that sits on

    • the upper outer stop with the spacer.

    • On the first 2 photos this stop is upside down. The large diameter should be facing down, resting on the metal cup of the dust kit and the spacer must be in abutment there to protrude from the small diameter side.

    • 2 - The metal cup in which it is housed

    • the dust kit.

    • 3 and 4 - the 2 fixing screws of the lower outer stop.

    • Check that once the 2 rods are out to the maximum the new shock absorber is the same length as the old one.

  9. 
Reassembly is carried out in reverse order.

To tighten the upper nut The vehicle must first be placed back on its wheel.
    • Reassembly is carried out in reverse order.

    • To tighten the upper nut The vehicle must first be placed back on its wheel.

Finish Line

7 other people completed this guide.

laurent.immo13003

Member since: 03/03/2016

12,942 Reputation

155 Guides authored

5 Comments

Thanks for the dismantling tips ;-)

On the other hand, I do not agree on the choice of the socket/ratchet to hold the rod during unscrewing: no socket format corresponds ==>> the rod is rounded on 2 sides ... the 6 mm flat wrench works very well (tip: I inserted it in a tube to have a better grip ;-P)

Shock absorbers changed: “well that’s good because I won’t do that every day!” lol

remipointcom - Reply

Hello, I have a BMW 330XD, who can tell me what the shim on the front cup is for?

stephanie guille - Reply

Nickel! Pure happiness! Thank you for this remote helping hand!!!

Frédéric Lavergne - Reply

very good thank you

lberroyer - Reply

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