New Strut Install - PIA

[javis20]

New struts arrived and just finished installing the driver side. Boy, what a pain in the azz. The better grade spring compressor, I purchased, just didn't fit properly. Had to use and angle grinder to get a proper fit. Took much more time than expected. Even though I have a proper spreader, the shock was still difficult to remove from the knuckle.

Just a note, the old shock did not even try to recover when depressed. I pushed it down and it stayed down.

Will do the passenger side tomorrow or Monday.

 

[B21]

Glad I’ve booked mine into an Ohlins specialist for a turn key job of removing and servicing them with uprated rear springs, increased revised height and geometry re-alignment

 

[javis20]

This is the spring compressor I used. Does not work for our cars. I had to use an angle grinder to make it fit..

 

[javis20]

Got the right front strut installed today. Went smother than the left front. This strut showed no sign of leakage, but had zero rebound just like the left front. I pushed the piston al the way down and it stayed there. When extended as far a possible, it stayed extended.

The rears are not showing any signs of leakage, buy at 85k miles I have to assume they are also rubbish. I'll plan this job for next spring when I replace the boot lid seal. Can't spend too much money at once, or my wife gets on my back to buy a new car. Problem is I love this car. There's no other car I want.

 

[Christopher72]

unish: truth

Which VDC's did you finally choose?

 

[flybobbie]

Certainly the basic rear shocks on my car were shot at 45k miles.
Looked like the cheapest BMW could fit.
I had no problems using the cheapo bolt and hook spring compressors.
What you have looks way over engineered and cost i assume.

 

[flybobbie]

I replaced Bilsteins B6 at 45k, then replaced them at 90k with B4.
The B6 were already showing signs of wear, they rebounded at different rates when compressed, like about a 1 and half second difference.

 

[javis20]

I went with the BMW VDC Shocks 37116792891 and 37116792892.

Spring compressor was only about $100. Worked OK once I opened the inside diameter for clearance for the top mount. Still have to do my son in laws 328 shocks.

 

[Christopher72]

I went with the BMW VDC Shocks 37116792891 and 37116792892.

$$ ouch - I hope you didn't buy them locally.

Spring compressors are no joke! I've destroyed one that looked like yours, doing my wife's 2012 Honda Odyssey's front struts. Even when lubed well, the threads of that pipe clamp gave up right when I got the strut reassembled. Thankfully, it was returnable to Amazon as a failed tool. I'm guessing they are all made in the same Shenzhen factory. "Vevor"

On my next foray, I may take it to an indy with a proper hydraulic piston-based spring compressor. The failing threads giving up on those beefy minivan springs made me uncomfortable.

 

[javis20]

Yes and no. Most of the online discount BMW parts places sell these shock for a 35 to 40% discount. I've reversed their contact addresses and phone number and determined them to be legitimate BMW dealer using a different online name. I actually found an online store that turned out to be my local BMW dealer. So I got the shocks for $744 each locally.

They charge $410 for the rears. Probably do them in the spring.