325 compact rear shock replacement

[Andy70]

Hi all, does anyone know where the top of the rear shock is located on the above car? I assume its in the boot somewhere? mine are shot and need replacing. cheers

[Andy70]

ok, i'll re~phrase the question, I know it will be at the top of the wheel arch in the boot, but I was just wondering what id have to strip out to get to it as the plastic speaker housing is at the top, does that need to come off or will the carpet peel out from underneath? all I just don't want to have to take half the car apart if I don't need to. judging by your response, I assume its really simple? lol

[Andy70]

I watched a clip on youtube where a guy was changing one an a saloon and he just pulled the carpet to one side and it was located behind some sort of soundproofing maybe?, but the boot in the hatchback version is different, the carpet is more like a hard plastic mould, with no obvious means of releasing it and on top of that is the speaker housing and without any knowledge of how to remove it, I just don't want to start ripping, or is there a convenient cap somewhere that I just cant see??

[Andy70]

yeah the compact has some sort of hard, shaped moulding rather than just carpet, I had the carpet off my partners focus at the side and it just pops off, this is a ridged material which seems to fit under and behind body work and trim etc and like I said the speaker mount is on top with no obvious means of removal, so not as obvious as peeling away a soft, fabric carpet, so where is the trick question??

[Andy70]

the guy on the youtube clip was undoing screws, pulling off poppers etc, I cant see any of those on my car, there seems there is nothing holding it in only the fact that it seems to be fitted into the bodywork so to speak, difficult to explain really, I just didn't want to be ripping anything off without some knowledge of where to start, like I said also it seems to go right up under the speaker cover and ive no idea how that would come off, it appears it may need to unless it peels off underneath, but I don't se how it could

[Andy70]

its such an easy job to do, so therefore begrudge paying a garage to do it, but no idea how to get to it lol

[Andy70]

ok, cheers, ill have a closer look, not sure how to attach links (never done it) but if you google it, there are a few pics without looking too hard, you can see the base carpet overlapping the side, but take that away and the side carrys on into the car even further if you know what I mean, so no idea where to start grabbing it from as there is no obvious edge to pick up, i'll drop the seats tomorrow and see if there is an edge there I can get a screwdriver behind to leaver it out

[Andy70]

Collectingbrass said:

Pelican Parts do the best how to guides I've ever seen

http://www.pelicanparts.com/BMW/techarticles/BMW-3...

thank for your help, just had a quick look, but that is a saloon/coupe boot, there are no clips/screws in the compact, that's why im struggling, ive no idea where to start peeling, tugging or pulling without doing damage, the shell of the carpet moulding folds or tucks into the sides and base of the boot with no obvious means of levering it out. but still, I appreciate everyone's help and input

[Andy70]

Brilliant, I'll have a go at that cheers