2009 3.0i E89 Z4 rear shocks

Marcel the Cat · Post by **Marcel the Cat** » Sat Mar 25, 2023 7:51 pm

Greetings all! New to the site. I took off my rear wheels to re-paint and discovered my rear shocks (26K miles, 14 years old) had deteriorated orange (?) bump stops. The shocks work just fine but I’m now concerned with bottoming out. Dust tubes are in great shape. Questions:
Is there a shock that has internal bump stops?
If not, where can I get a new pair of bump stops and fitment kits?
Should I just replace the shocks w new ones w bump stops/dust tubes

: Rear shock photo; D730EA1D-6AC0-4388-A2C5-43408061B687.jpeg (239.8 KiB) Viewed 458 times

included? Bilstein B4?
Any help GREATLY appreciated.
Is this something I can do at home?

True-Blue · Post by **True-Blue** » Sat Mar 25, 2023 8:35 pm

Even though the car’s only done 26k miles I’d be replacing the shocks personally if I was going to the effort of replacing the bump stops (after 14 years they’ll be past their best).

I’ve never seen anything like that though, and worked on number of E85/E89’s

It’s perfectly do able at home on axles stands, the biggest faff is moving the trim panels in the boot out of the way to access the top mounts.

Marcel the Cat · Post by **Marcel the Cat** » Sat Mar 25, 2023 8:44 pm

Many thanks for the reply. So what am I looking at if you’ve never seen these shocks with bump stops?! Not stock? Any suggestions as to brand or stiffness? So do I need shocks with bump stops or did the oem never have them? Sorry to be a pain.

mcbutler · Post by **mcbutler** » Sat Mar 25, 2023 8:58 pm

The bump stop are a sponge type material, they break down over time with UV/Heat/Cold/abrasion from grit thrown up by the wheels.
Looking at yours I would think the later as they are abraded on one side primarily.
If its an issue really depends on your driving, passenger weight, luggage weight.
If you are not getting any banging i.e. the shocks are reaching their full range of travel then just leave them, the shocks dont really deteriorate mechanically over time if they are on an unused car.
If any seals go you would see the leaking oil.
To change the bump stops its ;1

1. Jack up
2. Wheel off
3. Undo top nut inside boot and remove washer
4. Grab top half of shock (in your picture directly underneath the bump stop) pull down firmly and the shock will slide downwards
5. Pull off the metal washer and bump stop.
6. Slide new stop on, replace washer
7. Grab top half of shock and push upwards until it pops back through the hole.
8. Washer and (new) nut replaced and tightened
9. Wheel on
10. Chox away

Marcel the Cat · Post by **Marcel the Cat** » Sat Mar 25, 2023 9:15 pm

Thanks a million for the replies. I feel I am better equipped to make a final decision. Any brand you’d recommend? And……should I get new bump stops along w new struts?

True-Blue · Post by **True-Blue** » Sat Mar 25, 2023 9:58 pm

Marcel the Cat wrote: ↑Sat Mar 25, 2023 8:44 pm Many thanks for the reply. So what am I looking at if you’ve never seen these shocks with bump stops?! Not stock? Any suggestions as to brand or stiffness? So do I need shocks with bump stops or did the oem never have them? Sorry to be a pain.

Sorry, I meant I’d never seen the bump stops wear/dissolve away like that before

Marcel the Cat · Post by **Marcel the Cat** » Sat Mar 25, 2023 10:19 pm

Yes, they’re pretty spent. Last thing (no, really…):
Brand? Part number?
Bump stops and reinforcement kits are separate I take it?
Many thanks to my friends on the other side of the pond.

Marcel the Cat · Post by **Marcel the Cat** » Sun Mar 26, 2023 7:51 pm

Looking for the brand of rear struts that come complete with dust covers, bump stops, mounting hardware, reinforcement plate, etc. Bilsteins? Monroe? What do folks recommend.

Marcel the Cat · Post by **Marcel the Cat** » Sun Mar 26, 2023 7:55 pm

: B40D462B-8B6B-4D9C-8438-47DE190C946E.png (244.84 KiB) Viewed 350 times

Marcel the Cat · Post by **Marcel the Cat** » Sun Mar 26, 2023 7:55 pm

Will E90 fit my E89?

B21 · Post by **B21** » Sun Mar 26, 2023 10:48 pm

Marcel the Cat wrote: ↑Sun Mar 26, 2023 7:55 pm Will E90 fit my E89?

No…E89 retains the earlier E85 rear axle design..completely different to the E90 rear axle design..

flybobbie · Post by **flybobbie** » Mon Mar 27, 2023 12:09 am

Just go BMW and buy some.
Bilsteins come shocks only, no extras.
Try: https://www.buycarparts.co.uk/bilstein/15803264

Marcel the Cat · Post by **Marcel the Cat** » Mon Mar 27, 2023 12:29 am

Thanks!

flybobbie · Post by **flybobbie** » Mon Mar 27, 2023 12:32 am

https://www.buycarparts.co.uk/bilstein/15803264

Marcel the Cat · Post by **Marcel the Cat** » Mon Mar 27, 2023 1:15 am

Many thanks for the website. Now all I need is the replacement hardware.

Z4-forum.com

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