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Coil Spring & Shock Absorber: Installation

WARNING: This page does not describe the selected car, but rather 34 other vehicles, including the 2006 BMW M3, 2006 BMW 330Ci, 2006 BMW 325Ci, 2005 BMW M3, and 2005 BMW 330i. However, it is still accessible from the selected car via links, so may be relevant.
  1. Place coil spring in spring holders. End of spring must be flush with end of spring holder.
  2. Replace auxiliary spring (1) if necessary. Check protective tube (2) and spring pad (3), replace if necessary. Opening on spring plate and spring pad must be flush. See Fig 1.
  3. On M3 only, end of spring (1) must not touch against shoulder of spring pad. The recess (2) only serves to reinforce and correctly seat the spring pad and does not serve as a stop for the spring end. Spring pad must form a positive connection as it rests in coil spring. See Fig 2.
  4. Insert spring strut shock absorber into coil spring and upper spring plate. Observe installation sequence. See Fig 3.
  5. Replace self-locking nut (1) and screw onto piston rod so that it is flush. Coil spring must fit positively in lower spring plate/spring pad. See Fig 4.
  6. Tighten self-locking nut with special tool (31 2 210). If necessary, grip piston rod. See Figure.
  7. Tighten nut to specification. See TORQUE SPECIFICATIONS .
  8. Install support bearing to wheel arch. Replace self-locking nuts. The centering pin (1) of the support bearing must lie in the bore (2) of the wheel arch, and the marking must be noted. See Figure.
  9. Tighten to specification. See TORQUE SPECIFICATIONS .
  10. Insert positioning pin (1) into gap and press steering knuckle upwards onto stop. See Fig 5.
  11. Tighten steering knuckle nut to specification. See TORQUE SPECIFICATIONS .
  12. Replace self-locking nut and attach control arm to steering knuckle. Tighten to specification. See TORQUE SPECIFICATIONS .
  13. Replace self-locking nut and attach stabilizer link. Tighten to specification. See TORQUE SPECIFICATIONS .
  14. Attach retaining bracket of angle joint to control arm.
  15. Attach brake caliper. See appropriate article in BRAKES.
  16. Install front wheel and tighten wheel lug bolts to specification. See TORQUE SPECIFICATIONS .
Fig 1: Checking Spring Strut Components
G00155801Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.
Fig 2: Installing End Of Spring (M3)
G00155802Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.
Fig 3: Identifying Installation Sequence Of Spring Strut Shock Absorber
G00155803Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.
Fig 4: Locating Self-Locking Nut On Piston Rod
G00155804Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.
Fig 5: Inserting Positioning Pin
G00155805Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.
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