I'm a BMW tech, but I haven't had a lot of time with the older stuff. It's time to do the struts on my wagon. The diagrams and repair instructions are so much different than the actual work that is required. Thanks!
Thank you very much for posting this. I just finished this absolute PITA job today and a couple of things I'd mention: Unless both front wheels are in the air and the sway bar isn't under tension, the sway bar link will be very difficult to remove. I tried standing on my brake rotor but wasn't brave enough to push it down far enough to get the top of the strut out. It fouls by a good centimetre or so. Maybe you need to really give it some force, but I just didn't want to do it. It also looks like the level sensor could snap if you push the hub down far enough. I ended up using spring compressors while the strut was still on the car. Even then it was hard to get the strut out. My car had the Sachs OEM dampers and they were as effective as yours. They also didn't have bump stops. My top mounts looked like yours; I didn't replace them either. The rears thankfully are one of the easiest jobs I've ever done on a car. Thanks again for taking the time to make this video. I hope my experience helps someone else.
2023 used your information in order to install Koni struts. Thank you, this gave me a great heads-up on what to expect. The technique on stepping on the brake work a treat.
I did the upper and lower control arms and tie rods recently. I didn't plan on doing the shocks but now have to. So glad you showed this easier way coz i cannot be bothered to mess with the arms again. Considered paying for it to be done but now I'll do it myself. Legend!
I'm gonna tackle this on my wagon next week. Manuals and videos were telling me to remove those damn control arms, i think satan himself torqued them. This video is a godsend, thanks so much
I think I may try to tackle this job. Great video which should allow me to go step by step. Pretty sure my 530i has the M suspension package so hopefully that’s not extremely different. We shall see.
BMW procedure for compressing these struts uses an adapter to press from the top spring plate. There's a video from Bavarian autosport where they show this albeit without the proper adapter.
Hello! I changed them and the car was higher than normal (taking into account that the old shock absorbers were lower because they no longer worked well) Also, the front axle has become unstable. Would you know the solution? All the best.
Nice video, it just shows wrong position of spring on shock, correct position is in SACHS installation manual which is OEM for my BMW shocks, I cant put link in PDF because it got deleted.... If you ask I might try again
good technique but please watch out for the brake lines, seen to many people brake them doing it like that, best to remove the caliper a little more work but saves you a lot of time and money if the line snaps
I liked the video. Very well filmed. And Your technique is helpful. But you have made a great mistake: you should have unbolted the break caliper. The way you stressed thay brake line pulling down on it to remove the strut is something completely forbbiden as you cam damage it and risk it fails while driving your car on the road. Beware every one who takes this video as a reference!
![Как заменить стойку амортизатора передней подвески на BMW 520i (E39) [TUTORIAL AUTODOC]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/gFrT0StcRds/mqdefault.jpg)
Thank you so much, especially for showing us how to remove it without taking ALL the control arms out!
I'm a BMW tech, but I haven't had a lot of time with the older stuff. It's time to do the struts on my wagon. The diagrams and repair instructions are so much different than the actual work that is required. Thanks!
Thank you very much for posting this. I just finished this absolute PITA job today and a couple of things I'd mention: Unless both front wheels are in the air and the sway bar isn't under tension, the sway bar link will be very difficult to remove. I tried standing on my brake rotor but wasn't brave enough to push it down far enough to get the top of the strut out. It fouls by a good centimetre or so. Maybe you need to really give it some force, but I just didn't want to do it. It also looks like the level sensor could snap if you push the hub down far enough. I ended up using spring compressors while the strut was still on the car. Even then it was hard to get the strut out.
My car had the Sachs OEM dampers and they were as effective as yours. They also didn't have bump stops. My top mounts looked like yours; I didn't replace them either.
The rears thankfully are one of the easiest jobs I've ever done on a car. Thanks again for taking the time to make this video. I hope my experience helps someone else.
2023 used your information in order to install Koni struts. Thank you, this gave me a great heads-up on what to expect. The technique on stepping on the brake work a treat.
Thank you so much for this tutorial.
Managed to replace my struts in 4 hours or so (without power tools), and the car rides much more securely
Really nice work and presentation. You have a talent not just for wrenching but for teaching. Greetings from Sweden.
Pretty straight forward and simple technique step by step ilustrations. One of the best!
I did the upper and lower control arms and tie rods recently. I didn't plan on doing the shocks but now have to. So glad you showed this easier way coz i cannot be bothered to mess with the arms again. Considered paying for it to be done but now I'll do it myself.
Legend!
Should i loosen the arms before pushing the hub down to release the shock or will they move nicely?
Thank you my friend, i did exactly the same thing and it worked like a charm, really appreciated, you saved me 500$.
I'm gonna tackle this on my wagon next week. Manuals and videos were telling me to remove those damn control arms, i think satan himself torqued them. This video is a godsend, thanks so much
I’m very impressed nice work!
Not perfect. But okay. You should remove the Brake. In your case you pulled on the Brakeline. Not good
I think I may try to tackle this job. Great video which should allow me to go step by step. Pretty sure my 530i has the M suspension package so hopefully that’s not extremely different. We shall see.
I have the 530i M sport as well, any big difference when installing new suspension that isn’t OEM?
BMW procedure for compressing these struts uses an adapter to press from the top spring plate. There's a video from Bavarian autosport where they show this albeit without the proper adapter.
The exact video i was look for lmaoo thanks for the struggle
Hello! I changed them and the car was higher than normal (taking into account that the old shock absorbers were lower because they no longer worked well) Also, the front axle has become unstable. Would you know the solution? All the best.
Nice video, it just shows wrong position of spring on shock, correct position is in SACHS installation manual which is OEM for my BMW shocks, I cant put link in PDF because it got deleted.... If you ask I might try again
When you stood on the breaks to get the strut out you should be careful not to damage the brake lines.
Do you need to align the wheels
Have you remove the tie rods? Because i dont see corectly..
No
good technique but please watch out for the brake lines, seen to many people brake them doing it like that, best to remove the caliper a little more work but saves you a lot of time and money if the line snaps
Hola, qué medidas tiene tu llanta?
235 45 R17? ???....
I liked the video. Very well filmed. And Your technique is helpful. But you have made a great mistake: you should have unbolted the break caliper. The way you stressed thay brake line pulling down on it to remove the strut is something completely forbbiden as you cam damage it and risk it fails while driving your car on the road. Beware every one who takes this video as a reference!
I threw tat tool in the recycling bin.
Bought assbly new.
What struts did you use? Or you recommend.
I used some KYBs
Thanks
Make sure to torque
Nice video
What about the brake line? Did the brake line stretched out too much?
Опорный подшибник продавленый будет рвать стакан. И прокочять надо было аморик прежде чем ставить.
i don't recommend the KYB. Died on my in like 6 months. Maybe just unlucky.
Dude you got lucky. Ext time remove the caliper atleast could of destroyed the flex hose
Boy should have watched your video first. Work smart not hard as they say.
Thanks