E30 Zone

The rear shock mounts in my Touring are shot and need to be replaced. Before I go and spend hours ripping out the speaker pods and half of the boot trim, is there some clever way to access the top mount nuts?

Also, can I assume that Tourings use the same mounts as saloons/coupes?

Thanks!

Have a look at the technical articile on this site,it helped me to do this job;no,there is no shortcut!!

daimlerman wrote:Have a look at the technical articile on this site,it helped me to do this job;no,there is no shortcut!!

Daimlerman, thanks for mentioning the article. There's one line in there that makes it sound like I might not have to remove the entire boot lining:

"Another alternative is to remove the rear cushion (touring only) and seatbelt and go in with an extension bar."

That sounds waaay easier. Anyone know if it's that simple, or will the speaker pod get in the way?

Hardest on out of the E30 range to change

ref;"Another alternative is to remove the rear cushion (touring only) and seatbelt and go in with an extension bar."

That's the way i do it but, make sure you don't drop the 13mm nut down the recess lol - it's a cow to get it back.

Also if you can have another set of hands holding the shock into place on refitting it makes it easier for you.

Also buy the E46 M3 top mounts from BMW - they fit snug and will last a hell of a lot longer than standerd ones and are about £8ish each

Neil.

i could not get a bar down it to do mine i undid the nearest bolt then the shock nut and when this is gone you can reach the furthest topmount nut ...also dont lose the big washer of the top of the shock cos it can fall down that hole as well

It is so easy to remove the side pods that i wouldn't personaly even bother struggling another way!

Doing the job the way shown took me 45mins a side,to go in with an extention bar would need a VERY slim one and intimate knowledge of the location of the hidden nut.

I'm another who removes the boot sides/speaker pods. Doesn't take long at all.

I wrote the guide and have to say side pods off is the plan.

Excellent! Thanks for all the input.

Last question: there have been two top mount upgrades recommended--the E46 M3 and the E46 330 Cabrio. Which is better?

I may be mistaken here, but I believe they are the same.

Chris-W wrote:I may be mistaken here, but I believe they are the same.

as far as i'm aware!.

Moreover, mine worked out to be 60p cheaper (about 1$ ) than buying stock ones

gazza wrote:i then the shock nut

You don't undo the shock nut on the car. Just remove the 13mm nuts and the 19mm bolt at the bottom of the damper and remove (and refit) damper and mount together.

Brianmoooore wrote:

gazza wrote:i then the shock nut

You don't undo the shock nut on the car. Just remove the 13mm nuts and the 19mm bolt at the bottom of the damper and remove (and refit) damper and mount together.

yup- Probably need a vice to grip the bloody shock whilst you try to turn the nut at the top

320Touring wrote:

Brianmoooore wrote:

gazza wrote:i then the shock nut

You don't undo the shock nut on the car. Just remove the 13mm nuts and the 19mm bolt at the bottom of the damper and remove (and refit) damper and mount together.

yup- Probably need a vice to grip the bloody shock whilst you try to turn the nut at the top

And, usually, air tools....

Chris-W wrote:

320Touring wrote:

Brianmoooore wrote:You don't undo the shock nut on the car. Just remove the 13mm nuts and the 19mm bolt at the bottom of the damper and remove (and refit) damper and mount together.

yup- Probably need a vice to grip the bloody shock whilst you try to turn the nut at the top

And, usually, air tools....

us strapping scotch-peoples eat our porridge, and can turn pesky nuts via wrench and ratchet

Yes, but as you know I am an effete Englishman (with air tools)

Chris-W wrote:Yes, but as you know I am an effete Englishman (with air tools)

"i'm a lady", says chris

Yes, but being days from having welcomed my second child to this world, I'm feeling rather secure in my sexuality!

Chris-W wrote:Yes, but being days from having welcomed my second child to this world, I'm feeling rather secure in my sexuality!

good work sir- hope that the lil one is nice and healthy!



kids are cool as long as you cna hand them back to the parents after they start crying, ahh the joys of being a godfather

Crap! The top shock mounts on Tourings with the self-leveling suspension are a different part (than typical E30 mounts)! Go figure. Of course, I found this out the hard way. AND, of course, the mounts that I need are three times more expensive and will have to be ordered from Germany. Argh!