Strut Mount Installation

sle39lvr · 12-03-2011, 11:22 AM

Due to uneven ride height up front on my stock suspension, I want to see if replacing strut mounts would fixe the issue.

1. Can this be done without a spring compressor? My old VW, You would take out the strut nut, then the shock would hand down enough to replace it from underneath the wheel well. I am not sure how complicated it is on these cars..

2. It looks like it will run me around $100 a pop for these mounts from realoem. Are there two different kinds for sport and non-sport? I have non-sport suspension.

sle39lvr · 12-05-2011, 09:01 PM

Anyone ?

kaleb · 12-06-2011, 01:14 PM

To do it properly, you'll need a spring compressor. Space is tight in the strut tower under the wheel well.

I am imagining a scenario where, while the car is on the ground, you unbolt the nut that attaches the strut to the strut mount, then slowly jack the car to release pressure on the spring. While I won't comment on the safety of such a procedure, it just might work. I'm not recommending it though.

At that point I'm not sure the spring has enough room while uncompressed to get out of the strut tower. Since you're trying to do something that is not recommended procedure, it's going to be trial and error at your own risk.

I will say that, even with spring compressors and doing it properly, getting the spring strut assembly off of the car by yourself is a major pain.

New Guy · 12-06-2011, 01:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sle39lvr

Due to uneven ride height up front on my stock suspension, I want to see if replacing strut mounts would fixe the issue.

1. Can this be done without a spring compressor? My old VW, You would take out the strut nut, then the shock would hand down enough to replace it from underneath the wheel well. I am not sure how complicated it is on these cars..

2. It looks like it will run me around $100 a pop for these mounts from realoem. Are there two different kinds for sport and non-sport? I have non-sport suspension.

Are you replacing the entire mount or just the springs? I promise you this is by far one the easiest thing you can do. Do not be afraid to tackle this. I bet it took me all of 45 minutes to jack the car up, take out the stock struts, and put it coilovers. Use something to slightly hold open the knuckle that the strut mount slides into and its a simple one man job. If youre replacing the springs just rent a spring compressor tool and thats it

sle39lvr · 12-06-2011, 01:40 PM

Hmm... sounds like it will be better to get it done from a shop.

sle39lvr · 12-06-2011, 01:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by New Guy

Are you replacing the entire mount or just the springs? I promise you this is by far one the easiest thing you can do. Do not be afraid to tackle this. I bet it took me all of 45 minutes to jack the car up, take out the stock struts, and put it coilovers. Use something to slightly hold open the knuckle that the strut mount slides into and its a simple one man job. If youre replacing the springs just rent a spring compressor tool and thats it

I want to do just the strut mount. Or it could be a nearby component in the strut assembly.

I have this uneven ride height issue, as mentioned here:
http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=617061

So it could be whatever that caused the right front wheel to be lower:

edirtaynine · 12-06-2011, 02:24 PM

u need to uncompress the spring to replace the shock. no way around it without a spring compressor.

sle39lvr · 12-06-2011, 02:25 PM

OK... shock MOUNT, not shock

SmellyGreek · 12-09-2011, 09:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sle39lvr

OK... shock MOUNT, not shock

Only way to do it safely is with a spring compressor. Autozone rents them out for free.

sle39lvr · 12-09-2011, 10:36 AM

mike-y · 12-09-2011, 11:08 AM

what are you replacing the strut mounts (guide supports, right?) with? Are you trying to mix/match part numbers (zsp vs non-zsp), or just replacing them with new units all together?

sle39lvr · 12-09-2011, 11:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mike-y

what are you replacing the strut mounts (guide supports, right?) with? Are you trying to mix/match part numbers (zsp vs non-zsp), or just replacing them with new units all together?

Well the car has 50k miles on it. But the passenger side is lower. So since I think it's a bad strut mount, just wouldn't mind replacing both with ZSP ones. Anyone has the part number for them?

mike-y · 12-09-2011, 12:52 PM

realoem.com

zsp guide supports are slightly lower than non-zsp, and are steel instead of aluminum.

12-03-2011, 11:22 AM	#1
sle39lvr Captain 124 Rep 654 Posts Drives: 08 328i Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: United States iTrader: (3)	Strut Mount Installation Due to uneven ride height up front on my stock suspension, I want to see if replacing strut mounts would fixe the issue. 1. Can this be done without a spring compressor? My old VW, You would take out the strut nut, then the shock would hand down enough to replace it from underneath the wheel well. I am not sure how complicated it is on these cars.. 2. It looks like it will run me around $100 a pop for these mounts from realoem. Are there two different kinds for sport and non-sport? I have non-sport suspension.
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12-05-2011, 09:01 PM	#2
sle39lvr Captain 124 Rep 654 Posts Drives: 08 328i Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: United States iTrader: (3)	Anyone ?
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12-06-2011, 01:14 PM	#3
kaleb Second Lieutenant 25 Rep 294 Posts Drives: '12 X5 35d Join Date: May 2008 Location: Dallas, TX iTrader: (0)	To do it properly, you'll need a spring compressor. Space is tight in the strut tower under the wheel well. I am imagining a scenario where, while the car is on the ground, you unbolt the nut that attaches the strut to the strut mount, then slowly jack the car to release pressure on the spring. While I won't comment on the safety of such a procedure, it just might work. I'm not recommending it though. At that point I'm not sure the spring has enough room while uncompressed to get out of the strut tower. Since you're trying to do something that is not recommended procedure, it's going to be trial and error at your own risk. I will say that, even with spring compressors and doing it properly, getting the spring strut assembly off of the car by yourself is a major pain. __________________ 2012 X5 35D - Platinum Gray / Cinnamon Options: Sport, Tech, Cold Weather, comfort seats, leather dash, high beam assist, lane-departure warning, soft-close doors, two-row, self-leveling suspension, hi-fi stereo Tracks driven (in any car): Nürburgring Nordschleife (05/2011), LeMans (ok, just the public part), Eagles Canyon Raceway, MotorSport Ranch Cresson, COTA Austin
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12-06-2011, 01:40 PM	#5
sle39lvr Captain 124 Rep 654 Posts Drives: 08 328i Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: United States iTrader: (3)	Hmm... sounds like it will be better to get it done from a shop.
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12-06-2011, 02:24 PM	#7
edirtaynine Major General 81 Rep 6,092 Posts Drives: e92 Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: SoCal iTrader: (0)	u need to uncompress the spring to replace the shock. no way around it without a spring compressor.
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12-06-2011, 02:25 PM	#8
sle39lvr Captain 124 Rep 654 Posts Drives: 08 328i Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: United States iTrader: (3)	OK... shock MOUNT, not shock
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12-09-2011, 10:36 AM	#10
sle39lvr Captain 124 Rep 654 Posts Drives: 08 328i Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: United States iTrader: (3)
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12-09-2011, 11:08 AM	#11
mike-y just another bmw douche bag 195 Rep 3,640 Posts Drives: 1.9L of fury Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Los Angeles, CA iTrader: (4)	what are you replacing the strut mounts (guide supports, right?) with? Are you trying to mix/match part numbers (zsp vs non-zsp), or just replacing them with new units all together?
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12-09-2011, 12:52 PM	#13
mike-y just another bmw douche bag 195 Rep 3,640 Posts Drives: 1.9L of fury Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Los Angeles, CA iTrader: (4)	realoem.com zsp guide supports are slightly lower than non-zsp, and are steel instead of aluminum.
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