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Thread: Changing rear shocks, how hard?

  1. #1
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    Changing rear shocks, how hard?

    I'm going to change my rear shocks. How hard is it. I'm kind of a DIY guy but I'm getting older and not as adventurous as before. So tell me about your adventures. Thanks. I have lots of time and plenty of tools. So?
    Lets get the party started before it's my bedtime.

  2. #2
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    It's easy except getting to the upper bolts takes a lot of time. http://www.bimmerboard.com/forums/posts/590961

  3. #3
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    Mine were easy, I wrote a check for this job. My mechanic said basically what setconstr and Edwin say: pain taking out all that crap to get to the top bolts and the bottoms were hard as hell to remove. Glad I paid for this job except they forgot to reconnect the sub box. Doh.
    2000 740i Sport | 2004 330xi | 1988 325i Vert | 2003 Z4 2.5 | 1995 Ford F150 | 2018 GTI

  4. #4
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    Yep, me too. Dropped off at my indy shop today and told him to do the whole job. I looked at the rear last week and just said screw it. I've restored many cars, nuts and bolts, but now I have the time and money to say "rest up a while" and let yourself be served. Thanks for the reply's.
    Lets get the party started before it's my bedtime.

  5. #5
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    I feel like you can’t do it all. Some things it’s just easier to let go.
    2000 740i Sport | 2004 330xi | 1988 325i Vert | 2003 Z4 2.5 | 1995 Ford F150 | 2018 GTI

  6. #6
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    Quote Originally Posted by gaspump View Post
    I'm going to change my rear shocks. How hard is it. I'm kind of a DIY guy but I'm getting older and not as adventurous as before. So tell me about your adventures. Thanks. I have lots of time and plenty of tools. So?
    The million $ question here would be: What are you replacing them with?

  7. #7
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    I going to go with the alternate opinion. The main problem is removing the rear seat, but it's not really that hard to do. I can have mine out in under an hour no problem.

  8. #8
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    I did mine last weekend. None of it was very hard, just a bit time consuming. If you can get a buddy to help it will go a lot faster. Removing the rear seat took me about an hour and removing and replacing the rear shocks and springs took me about 1.5 hours per side. The hardest part is getting any seized bolts loose when you don’t have a good angle with a breaker bar. Manuevering the free shock to a position it can clear the wheel well on the way out was a bit tricky too. Another two plus hours to put the interior back together because I couldnt get the child seat teather threaded holes to align properly to the clearance holes in the shelf.

  9. #9
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    Quote Originally Posted by Robicoso View Post
    The million $ question here would be: What are you replacing them with?
    I used Bilstein Tourings. B4s I guess? Black ones, not yellow.

    Yeah, all the bolts on mine were super seized up. Vermont is the worst when it comes to salt etc. You guys in CO and NC are lucky dogs!
    2000 740i Sport | 2004 330xi | 1988 325i Vert | 2003 Z4 2.5 | 1995 Ford F150 | 2018 GTI

  10. #10
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    It's not the easiest thing to do. I had a hard time moving the wheel carrier so that I could get the bottom of the shock in. Took some crowbarring and muscles to get that.

    The lower shock mount was also hard to separate from the wheel carrier. There was a little corrosion on mine from 3 CT winter's, but the bushing is slotted so you can get a wrench on it (Bilstein Yellows). Wiggle it left and right while prying the shock away and it'll come free.

    Use anti-sieze on it when reinstalling.

    Yes the rear interior needs to come out to get to the top bolts. What a pain but all straightforward.
    '98 740il | 9/97 build | schwarz 2 | sandbeige | 5AT | 270k
    '04 330i ZHP sedan | Mystic blue | Alcantara | 6MT | 120k
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    mods: m-pars | Bilsteins & B&G springs | ValentineOne | StealthOne
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  11. #11
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    I went with Monroe shocks. Great ride so far. The rear seat was easier then I thought.
    Lets get the party started before it's my bedtime.

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