How to change springs

[manni7rehal]

Dear aLL,

I have now moved on from a 325i se to a 316i luc touring.
I need some help on how to lower the car, I have the springs (40mm drop).
Is there a safe procedure i can follow for the front and back?
MANY THANKS
Manni

[Brianmoooore]

Fronts need the struts removed and dismantled with the aid of a pair of spring compressors. Don't underestimate the amount of potential energy that is stored in a compressed coil spring, and what that energy can do if converted suddenly into kinetic energy. Make sure the compressors are used carefully and correctly.
Slacken, but do not completely undo, the centre nut at the top of the struts before you even jack the car off of the ground.
Rears only need a small amount of compression to remove them, and the replacements will probably go in with no compression at all. Put a jack under the hub where the bottom of the damper bolts on, unscrew the damper bolt, then lower the jack to see if the spring will come out. If not, raise the jack a little and tie some rope or a couple of heavy duty cable ties around the coils of the spring on opposite sides, then lower the jack again. The ties should hold it compressed just enough to remove it.
You either need to do both sides at the same time, or disconnect the anti roll bar, otherwise you will be fighting the bar, and making a simple job difficult.

[Grrrmachine]

No Wiki stuff for the front suspension yet, but here's how to work on the rears (which mirrors Brian's excellent advice).

http://www.e30zone.net/e30zonewiki/inde ... %28Rear%29

[manni7rehal]

hi guys many thans

Does any body have a electronic copy of the bmw mechanic manual/
Many thanks

Manni

[manni7rehal]

Dear all,

Finally today all springs have been changed! 40mm drop all round on my bbs 205/50R15

But what I have noticed is that the back drop is visible, the front however needs more justification.

it does not really look that much different to what is was before, any ideas why?

Many thanks to you all ofr your kind help.

Manni

[Grrrmachine]

Are these the springs from the 325i that you've now fitted to your 316i? If that's the case, then the front end of an M40 isn't heavy enough to push down on the stiffer, stronger M20 springs.

[manni7rehal]

Hi

Grrrmachine

I purchased these specifically for the 316i touring with 40mm drop this is the link
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/BMW-E30-316-i ... 35aed4c3cf

The back is lowered nicley! just the front

can anything be done now? or am a i stuck, I will speak to the company though.
Thanks
Manni

[capri_rob]

the springs will take time to settle.

If you take a measurement now from the wing to the floor when the car is on a flat surface, and then put some miles on the car and measure again a couple of weeks later you should find it has settled to the right level.

[manni7rehal]

Hi

Capri-rob, Many thanks I will do that today.

Thanks to everyone for there kind help.
manni