3-Series (E36)Chat relating to the BMW 3-Series from 1992-1999. Autodoodad
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Well the time is finally here and everything has finished coming in today from Turner motorsport.... We are lowering the Bimmer !!!!!!! I am going with H&R Sport Springs , struts and and Konis plus the mounting kit and to finish it off I decided to replace the front and rear sway bars for body roll. I have done this once before as in lowering a Car but that was on my Vette. I'm not real big and familiar with the strut package and all but always ready for a challenge and learn new things. First off what am I expecting as in tools that are needed for this job ? Also how long would you say this is going to take and which is usually easier the front or the back ?
A buddy of mine has a spring compressor so I will be getting it this Thursday that should help. Any info would be gladly excepted that you may be willing to offer...... TY
I did a simple write up that expects a little bit of mechanical know how. This will give you the general idea. It is focused on the struts and only lacks the removal of the rear springs, but a 5 year old could safely remove the rear springs of this car. With some know how and not pushing it you can expect 4 hours of labor for the springs and struts.
325iconvertable Two main tools you need are an impact wrench and a coil compressor tool. You can rent the coil compressore at a local advanced auto parts store for about $50 and then they return your money once you return the tool. then if i remember correctly you need an 18mm socket for the three bolts and nuts on the bottom of the strut, and a 14mm on top of the strut. The rear if im not mistaken are also 18mm. Also air tools save lifes. Took me and a buddy a good two hours and a half to install it. Also i almost forgot in the middle of the strut there is a hook up to the sway bar (i think) But if u try to remove that bolt it will just spin in place, you have to go behind it and pull back the rubber seal and with a wrench( i used an adjustable) to hold it in place. The rear is very easy shouldnt take you longer then 30 minutes to complete. Goodluck and i hope i wasnt too late with the post.
Your struts won't have the sway bar tabs unless they continued them on the verts. They were on E36's up 1/2 through 92 I believe and only continued on the M3's that I know of.
325iconvertable Two main tools you need are an impact wrench and a coil compressor tool. You can rent the coil compressore at a local advanced auto parts store for about $50 and then they return your money once you return the tool. then if i remember correctly you need an 18mm socket for the three bolts and nuts on the bottom of the strut, and a 14mm on top of the strut. The rear if im not mistaken are also 18mm. Also air tools save lifes. Took me and a buddy a good two hours and a half to install it. Also i almost forgot in the middle of the strut there is a hook up to the sway bar (i think) But if u try to remove that bolt it will just spin in place, you have to go behind it and pull back the rubber seal and with a wrench( i used an adjustable) to hold it in place. The rear is very easy shouldnt take you longer then 30 minutes to complete. Goodluck and i hope i wasnt too late with the post.
No that wasnt to late of a post at all this is what I was wanting thanks a lot... I dont think it will be hard at all I have done this before with domestic vehicles but im new to the Strut thing !!!!!!!! shouldnt be to hard Thanks !
i know what you mean. With my SS you just lower the lower control arm and the coil pops right out. When i first did struts was on my buddies Mini S, and i was like wow. But with the right tools and some minor skills in mechanics anyone can do it. So goodluck and post some pictures of the finished project.
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