Rear Shock bolt broken off !Options?

redblackbmw · 09-22-2021, 07:32 PM

I have an e90 328 and while trying to get the screw off to release the shock the 6mm bolt fell rip off; I've been reading online the best way is to go under the wheel well and get some vice grips to hold the shock mount. However on my car, the boot covers are plastic, will I have to break these plastic covers off (It 2 of them to get to the shock mount .)

KhaosKid · 09-27-2021, 02:19 PM

I believe this is an easy problem to remedy, but I need you to rewrite your post with proper grammar and or spelling because I'm not sure anyone who reads it understands what exactly the issue is.
The 6mm bolt fell rip off - you mean the 6mm Allen counter hold stripped or 16mm bolt broke or…?

Maxmax73 · 10-20-2021, 12:29 PM

I couldn't figure out what the problem is (from that description) Upper shock mount nut? Because there is no 6mm anything on rear shocks.

Wolf 335 · 10-20-2021, 12:41 PM

What exactly are you trying to show us with your photos?

neilvan · 10-20-2021, 12:48 PM

My guess is the 6mm hex on the top of the shock broke off' I've had that happen.

Get a gun (impact even a small electric not an actual gun you americans) and just zip it off. Worked like a charm

charlie_m · 10-21-2021, 03:08 PM

I guess you can't counter-hold the top of the shock rod to remove the nylock nut on the top shock mount, right?

And I'm assuming you cannot get to the nut with an impact gun ...

If that's right (and assuming you are going to *trash* the shock when you do get it off), then:
* use a dremel or tin snips to cut away the black plastic dust shield from the shock. It should be easy (mine broke on it's own sometime during it's 66k mile lifetime!)
* You don't need to remove it all, just until you have good access to the bright, shiny shock rod. From your pic, you may have two shields; if so, go through them both.
* Now grab the shock rod with a big vice grips, and hold that while you remove the top nut.

Again, *do not do this unless the shocks are already junk!* You will damage the rod beyond repair doing this!

Not sure what you mean by shock mount; you need to counter-hold the shock rod to remove the top nut. The upper shock mount is what you are trying to remove.

feuer · 10-23-2021, 09:52 PM

Pull the plastic sleeve down.

09-22-2021, 07:32 PM	#1
redblackbmw Private 4 Rep 58 Posts Drives: red/black 328i Join Date: Apr 2016 Location: miami beach iTrader: (0)	Rear Shock bolt broken off !Options? I have an e90 328 and while trying to get the screw off to release the shock the 6mm bolt fell rip off; I've been reading online the best way is to go under the wheel well and get some vice grips to hold the shock mount. However on my car, the boot covers are plastic, will I have to break these plastic covers off (It 2 of them to get to the shock mount .) Attached Images
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09-27-2021, 02:19 PM	#2
KhaosKid Private 42 Rep 87 Posts Drives: ‘11 323i when it works Join Date: May 2015 Location: Downtown Canada iTrader: (0)	I believe this is an easy problem to remedy, but I need you to rewrite your post with proper grammar and or spelling because I'm not sure anyone who reads it understands what exactly the issue is. The 6mm bolt fell rip off - you mean the 6mm Allen counter hold stripped or 16mm bolt broke or…? __________________ \| N52B25 323i \| BMW Performance Exhaust \| Meyle HD Thrust Arms \| Bilstein B6 Dampers \| \| Bilstein HD Non-Sport Front Springs \| Bilstein Non-Sport Rear Springs \| Monroe RSM \| \| Lux Gold Angel Eyes \| Sport Seats/Steering Wheel \| Mishimoto Intake Boot (+69 HP) \|
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10-20-2021, 12:29 PM	#3
Maxmax73 Private 15 Rep 66 Posts Drives: 2011 328i Join Date: May 2018 Location: VA iTrader: (0)	I couldn't figure out what the problem is (from that description) Upper shock mount nut? Because there is no 6mm anything on rear shocks.
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10-20-2021, 12:41 PM	#4
Wolf 335 Brigadier General 2341 Rep 3,539 Posts Drives: 2007 E92 335i Join Date: Aug 2012 Location: GTA - Greater Toronto Area iTrader: (0)	What exactly are you trying to show us with your photos?
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10-20-2021, 12:48 PM	#5
neilvan Major 858 Rep 1,363 Posts Drives: 09 E90 335i M-Sport 6MT RWD Join Date: Nov 2017 Location: Ontario, Canada iTrader: (0) Garage List 2007 BMW E61 530xi [0.00] 1993 Mazda Miata [0.00] 2009 BMW E90 335i [0.00]	My guess is the 6mm hex on the top of the shock broke off' I've had that happen. Get a gun (impact even a small electric not an actual gun you americans) and just zip it off. Worked like a charm
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10-21-2021, 03:08 PM	#6
charlie_m Private First Class 76 Rep 169 Posts Drives: 2012 328ix Join Date: Jul 2021 Location: SC iTrader: (0)	I guess you can't counter-hold the top of the shock rod to remove the nylock nut on the top shock mount, right? And I'm assuming you cannot get to the nut with an impact gun ... If that's right (and assuming you are going to trash the shock when you do get it off), then: * use a dremel or tin snips to cut away the black plastic dust shield from the shock. It should be easy (mine broke on it's own sometime during it's 66k mile lifetime!) * You don't need to remove it all, just until you have good access to the bright, shiny shock rod. From your pic, you may have two shields; if so, go through them both. * Now grab the shock rod with a big vice grips, and hold that while you remove the top nut. Again, do not do this unless the shocks are already junk! You will damage the rod beyond repair doing this! Not sure what you mean by shock mount; you need to counter-hold the shock rod to remove the top nut. The upper shock mount is what you are trying to remove.
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10-23-2021, 09:52 PM	#7
feuer Major General 4276 Rep 9,206 Posts Drives: wife crazy! Join Date: Apr 2015 Location: Chicago, IL iTrader: (5)	Pull the plastic sleeve down.
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