Problem removing bolts in spring/strut install

AUChris9 · 08-18-2011, 03:02 PM

Went to a shop today to get my springs and struts installed on 2008 E90 328i. They were unable to complete the work because they said it appeared that some of the bolts were unable to be removed. Not sure which bolt it was on the front but they said it was on the control arm in the rear. Anyone else have this problem and what did you do?

Also, they mention that they had to take apart the trunk to get to rear. Is that necessary?

Thanks

Tee212 · 08-18-2011, 03:06 PM

A "shop" should be able to remove ANY bolt. Yes you have to remove the trunk liner to access the top shock nut.

Pcemkr · 08-18-2011, 03:28 PM

The exhaust must be loosened/dropped to remove the rear, driver's side, inner control arm bolt.

BBS · 08-18-2011, 05:18 PM

Are sedans different? one bolt at the brake knuckle and one under the strut and the control arm was free. Find another shop

335iaz · 08-18-2011, 05:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pcemkr

The exhaust must be loosened/dropped to remove the rear, driver's side, inner control arm bolt.

No it doesn't ...

Pcemkr · 08-18-2011, 05:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 335iaz

No it doesn't ...

The inner bolt from control arm to subframe, yes it does.

Chowbow · 08-21-2011, 02:04 AM

You can just remove the outer instead...

Pcemkr · 08-21-2011, 08:26 AM

I'm just saying the shop may be attempting to take out the inner bolt

nOshi · 08-21-2011, 10:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tee212

A "shop" should be able to remove ANY bolt. Yes you have to remove the trunk liner to access the top shock nut.

+1

The inner or outer bolt will work, but the outer is way easier since you don't have to mess with the exhaust. Either way a new shop should be found.

BKV122 · 08-21-2011, 04:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tee212

A "shop" should be able to remove ANY bolt. Yes you have to remove the trunk liner to access the top shock nut.

Yea that's embarrassing for the shop to tell you that they cant remove a bolt. They should be be able to remove it even if they need to drill/cut it out and replace with a new one, or figure out how to remove it.

AUChris9 · 08-28-2011, 10:18 PM

Took it to another place this week and the installer had no issues so I have no idea what the problem was with the initial installer. Thanks for the posts everyone.

TRICKE90 · 08-29-2011, 12:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pcemkr

The inner bolt from control arm to subframe, yes it does.

Yes, to remove the bolt on the drivers side you have to take off the exhaust. But, you don't need to remove the bolt, all you need to do is loosen it. Mark the cam lines so that you can reline it back up. Once loose you can take off the steering knuckle bolt and take off the spring and shock.

TRICKE90 · 08-30-2011, 10:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TRICKE90

Yes, to remove the bolt on the drivers side you have to take off the exhaust. But, you don't need to remove the bolt, all you need to do is loosen it. Mark the cam lines so that you can reline it back up. Once loose you can take off the steering knuckle bolt and take off the spring and shock.

edit: note: not steering knuckle bolt, but outer wheel carrier bolt.

mike-y · 08-30-2011, 12:02 PM

I've done 3 E90 suspension installs and have never touched the inner rear control arm bolts. You can do the install very easily with just removing the outer bolts only.

if you touch the inner bolts, you risk throwing off the alignment (rear camber). Outer bolts don't affect the alignment.

08-18-2011, 03:02 PM	#1
AUChris9 Private 3 Rep 61 Posts Drives: 2008 328i Sedan Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: Atlanta iTrader: (1)	Problem removing bolts in spring/strut install Went to a shop today to get my springs and struts installed on 2008 E90 328i. They were unable to complete the work because they said it appeared that some of the bolts were unable to be removed. Not sure which bolt it was on the front but they said it was on the control arm in the rear. Anyone else have this problem and what did you do? Also, they mention that they had to take apart the trunk to get to rear. Is that necessary? Thanks
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08-18-2011, 03:06 PM	#2
Tee212 Banned 81 Rep 4,541 Posts Drives: yes Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Riverside iTrader: (9) Garage List 2010 335 [8.00]	A "shop" should be able to remove ANY bolt. Yes you have to remove the trunk liner to access the top shock nut.
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08-18-2011, 03:28 PM	#3
Pcemkr Pro Hater 49 Rep 1,717 Posts Drives: Low and slow Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: DC iTrader: (1)	The exhaust must be loosened/dropped to remove the rear, driver's side, inner control arm bolt. Last edited by Pcemkr; 08-18-2011 at 05:20 PM..
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08-18-2011, 05:18 PM	#4
BBS Second Lieutenant 3 Rep 268 Posts Drives: 335i Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: Philadelphia, PA iTrader: (5)	Are sedans different? one bolt at the brake knuckle and one under the strut and the control arm was free. Find another shop __________________ LM's on the evo and LM's on the 3er
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08-21-2011, 02:04 AM	#7
Chowbow pew pew 166 Rep 6,781 Posts Drives: 三三五i Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: CA iTrader: (6) Garage List 2015 BMW 328i wagon [0.00] 2007 BMW 335i sedan [10.00] 1997 BMW 328i track ... [10.00]	You can just remove the outer instead... __________________ CSL replicas are now CSL counterfeits. Jesus saves, like Valentine1.
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08-21-2011, 08:26 AM	#8
Pcemkr Pro Hater 49 Rep 1,717 Posts Drives: Low and slow Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: DC iTrader: (1)	I'm just saying the shop may be attempting to take out the inner bolt
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08-28-2011, 10:18 PM	#11
AUChris9 Private 3 Rep 61 Posts Drives: 2008 328i Sedan Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: Atlanta iTrader: (1)	Took it to another place this week and the installer had no issues so I have no idea what the problem was with the initial installer. Thanks for the posts everyone.
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08-30-2011, 12:02 PM	#14
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)	I've done 3 E90 suspension installs and have never touched the inner rear control arm bolts. You can do the install very easily with just removing the outer bolts only. if you touch the inner bolts, you risk throwing off the alignment (rear camber). Outer bolts don't affect the alignment.
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