Rear Springs

[R.E92]

Had a metallic clunk coming from the rear when going over bumps so took a look and found that one of my springs had let go:





Don't want the car any lower so I have ordered a couple of new Suplex springs and new spring pads.

For those members that have already changed the rear springs, what's the best way to get this job done?

I've done a little reading already and it seems that I just need to remove the wheel, take out the lower bolt on the strut then get a second person to force the control arm downwards until the spring can be pulled out. Is this about right? I did consider getting spring compressors in there but there's no room and others seem to have managed without.

 

[Johnny h]

Had a metallic clunk coming from the rear when going over bumps so took a look and found that one of my springs had let go:

PXL_20220506_134050247.jpg

PXL_20220506_134106216.jpg

Don't want the car any lower so I have ordered a couple of new Suplex springs and new spring pads.

For those members that have already changed the rear springs, what's the best way to get this job done?

I've done a little reading already and it seems that I just need to remove the wheel, take out the lower bolt on the strut then get a second person to force the control arm downwards until the spring can be pulled out. Is this about right? I did consider getting spring compressors in there but there's no room and others seem to have managed without.

ouch!!!

 

[flybobbie]

I have had spring out and forced arm down, but later i think i spotted and easier method.
Can't remember what i did now, might be disconnect the anti roll bar.
What car is it, my car springs have S1 on them.

 

[Nictrix]

On our old Z I replaced the rear springs by the method described.
One of the drop links snapped and I had to replace these as well.
It may be an idea to unbolt the droplink before forcing the arm down.

 

[flybobbie]

On our old Z I replaced the rear springs by the method described.
One of the drop links snapped and I had to replace these as well.
It may be an idea to unbolt the droplink before forcing the arm down.

That's it the drop link.

 

[mcbutler]

Jack it up - oil spring compressor, wiggle it in, compress the spring and wiggle it out.
Good chance to change spring seats, cheap as chips, compress new spring on the bench wiggle it in and let it go..
Its fiddly but not difficult

 

[R.E92]

I have had spring out and forced arm down, but later i think i spotted and easier method.
Can't remember what i did now, might be disconnect the anti roll bar.
What car is it, my car springs have S1 on them.

It's a 35i with DCT and adaptive suspension.

The S is for standard suspension cars. T is for M or adaptive suspension.

A 1 means the spring is for non turbo models with manual transmission (23i or 30i) and the 2 is for everything else.

 

[R.E92]

So drop link needs unbolting. I think that'll be easier than getting the speing compressor in.

I did a full suspension overhaul on my E46 and to get the rear springs out I just used a scissor jack to push down on the control arm and up against the boot floor. I'm more cautious with the Z4 so I'll try the proper method first.

 

[grannyknot]

This is a good how to, https://www.pelicanparts.com/techarticles/BMW_Z4M/94-SUSPEN-Rear_Coil_Spring_Replacement/94-SUSPEN-Rear_Coil_Spring_Replacement.htm

 

[R.E92]

Managed to get time to change them today. Was harder than the E46, the Z4 has much less clearance.

Few cliff notes for anyone else trying this:
- Release ebrake. This lets you get the control arm lower.
- Unbolt damper and sway bar drop link.
- Use a bit of fairy liquid to lube up the spring pads so they slip onto the perch easier.
- Use a pry bar to pop the bottom of the existing spring off it's perch then the rest will follow.
- When installing the new one, get the bottom of the spring seated then push down and forward to get the top seated.
- Get someone else to push the control arm down while you do it. There's no graceful way if doing this, just needs a lot of jiggling and a bit of brute force.

Getting the springs out was much easier than getting them in. You can pry them out but cant pry them back in. If installing lowering springs then it would be much easier.