2009 3.0i E89 Z4 rear shocks

M

Marcel the Cat

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

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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.
 
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.
 
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 :driving:
 
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?
 
Marcel the Cat said:
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.
Click to expand...

Sorry, I meant I’d never seen the bump stops wear/dissolve away like that before :thumbsup:
 
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.
 
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 said:
Will E90 fit my E89?
Click to expand...

No…E89 retains the earlier E85 rear axle design..completely different to the E90 rear axle design..
 
Just go BMW and buy some.
Bilsteins come shocks only, no extras.
Try: https://www.buycarparts.co.uk/bilstein/15803264
 
Nothing to replace, reuse.
I have fitted Bilstein B4, not much difference other than cost from B6 i had fitted.
I was looking for a slightly less rigid ride, as my daily drive is country lanes and fed up of being bashed around, the old bones can't take it any more!
Interesting the B6 had done about 45k and the two rears had developed different response rate, perhaps the gutter side got more wear.
If you replace fronts it's worth while replacing the upper mount ball bearings, one of my cars was worn.
Often gets ignored.
 
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