Help replacing my shock absorber.

[erdnase]

After seeing what my local garage is charging to fit a new front-offside shock absorber on my 2003 Z4, I'm going to bite the bullet and have a go at doing it myself this weekend.

I'll be assisted by my mechanically minded friend who has good experience working on a variety of cars, but is there anything we should know before getting started? Specialist tools we may need to get, general advice and any hints are gratefully appreciated!

Thanks in advance.

[phumy]

erdnase said:

After seeing what my local garage is charging to fit a new front-offside shock absorber on my 2003 Z4, I'm going to bite the bullet and have a go at doing it myself this weekend.

I'll be assisted by my mechanically minded friend who has good experience working on a variety of cars, but is there anything we should know before getting started? Specialist tools we may need to get, general advice and any hints are gratefully appreciated!

Thanks in advance.

On a car of that age and depending on the mileage i would be changing both on the front, instead of just one as it could upset the stability of the car with one fresh shock and a tired one.....

[E30M3SE]

You will obviously need spring compressors, but you knew that didn't you?

Diagrams may help




As said above, change both.

[bazking69]

If you were going to change just the one, and weren't aware of the fact that you'll need spring compressors to do so, which incidentally in the hands of amateurs are a lethal weapon if used incorrectly, I'd suggest leaving it to the professionals personally...

[TheEnd]

BMW themselves say it's OK to change just one if it's under a certain amount of miles, ie, damaged before its time rather than worn out

[Phoenix]

If it was my car I would never change just one - always a pair.

[erdnase]

Good advice - thanks guys.

Think I'll leave it to the pros rather than attempt it myself. I'll ask their advice on changing the pair as opposed to just the one. Cheers!

[a11y_m]

I'd add that the Z4 ones are a bugger compared to others I've changed. We compressed the spring, and unbolted the top assembly, but the shaft of the shock then dissappeared into the shock body! No matter of pulling would make it extend again.

I ended up taking both fronts to a garage for them to do them properly. Apparently shocks like this are becoming more common...?

Ally