Strut Mount Installation - BMW 3-Series (E90 E92) Forum

sle39lvr · 12-03-2011, 12:22 PM

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, 10:01 PM

Anyone ?

kaleb · 12-06-2011, 02:14 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, 02:34 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, 02:40 PM

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

sle39lvr · 12-06-2011, 02:52 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, 03:24 PM

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

sle39lvr · 12-06-2011, 03:25 PM

OK... shock MOUNT, not shock

SmellyGreek · 12-09-2011, 10:23 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, 11:36 AM

mike-y · 12-09-2011, 12:08 PM

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, 12:16 PM

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, 01:52 PM

realoem.com

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

12-03-2011, 12:22 PM	#1
sle39lvr First Lieutenant Drives: 08 328i Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: United States Posts: 345 iTrader: (2)	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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12-06-2011, 02:14 PM	#3
kaleb Private First Class Drives: '07 335i Coupe MT SG/Coral Join Date: May 2008 Location: Dallas, TX Posts: 170 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. __________________ 2007 335i Coupe MT - Space Gray Metallic / Coral Red / Gray Poplar Options: Premium, Sport. Mods: OEM Alarm, Llumar 20% Tint, Shadowline trim, Painted Kidneys, 18" Rota Torque, OEM Front Lip, M-Sport Rear Bumper w/ Gloss black insert, CP-E Intercooler and Charge Pipe. Work I've done: Digital Steering Wheel, OEM Alarm, V1 Hardwire, Ashtray delete, Intercooler, Chargepipe Tracks driven: Nürburgring Nordschleife (05/2011), Eagles Canyon Raceway, MotorSport Ranch

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12-05-2011, 10:01 PM	#2
sle39lvr First Lieutenant Drives: 08 328i Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: United States Posts: 345 iTrader: (2)	Anyone ?

12-06-2011, 02:40 PM	#5
sle39lvr First Lieutenant Drives: 08 328i Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: United States Posts: 345 iTrader: (2)	Hmm... sounds like it will be better to get it done from a shop.

12-06-2011, 03:24 PM	#7
edirtaynine Major General Drives: e92 Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: SoCal Posts: 5,104 iTrader: (0)	u need to uncompress the spring to replace the shock. no way around it without a spring compressor.

12-06-2011, 03:25 PM	#8
sle39lvr First Lieutenant Drives: 08 328i Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: United States Posts: 345 iTrader: (2)	OK... shock MOUNT, not shock

12-09-2011, 11:36 AM	#10
sle39lvr First Lieutenant Drives: 08 328i Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: United States Posts: 345 iTrader: (2)

12-09-2011, 12:08 PM	#11
mike-y just another bmw douche bag Drives: 1.9L of fury Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Los Angeles, CA Posts: 2,790 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?

12-09-2011, 01:52 PM	#13
mike-y just another bmw douche bag Drives: 1.9L of fury Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Los Angeles, CA Posts: 2,790 iTrader: (4)	realoem.com zsp guide supports are slightly lower than non-zsp, and are steel instead of aluminum.