How to get to the rear shock mounts?

[K1R1]

I am going to replace all four shocks on my wife's X3 and can't seem to figure out how to get the luggage compartment panels off to expose the upper mounts. Has someone done this recently that can enlighten me or know a place where it spells this out.

Also, anybody have anything I should look out for while replacing all of them?

THANKS!

[srhorn]

I'm getting ready to do the front struts and rear shocks on my 2004 X3, and I'm wondering how I'm going to get to the top of the rear shocks to remove them!

-Steve

[Yii]

lol i am sure if u figure how to do the back srhorn you guys can trade information

[srhorn]

Not the most helpful reply I've seen, but if someone else could give some pointers I'd be glad to post the procedure here with pictures etc.

-Steve

[trapdoor]

Originally Posted by K1R1

I am going to replace all four shocks on my wife's X3 and can't seem to figure out how to get the luggage compartment panels off to expose the upper mounts. Has someone done this recently that can enlighten me or know a place where it spells this out.

I removed both interior side panels from my X3 when replacing the lashdown rails and also when I replaced the TV tuner - it's a real PITA and something that has to be done in a strict order as fixings are covered by other parts etc.

I used the instructions from a number of sections in the BMW TIS CD, but it basically boils down to having to remove the plastic trim panels around each side of the trunk opening, then the plastic trim (the ones with the grilles in) from below the rear quarterlight windows, then the plastic cover where the load cover clips into, then the seat trims to the outer side of the rear seat, then the carpet covered side panels ..... it's a real time consuming PITA.

I'd recommend getting a copy of the BMW TIS CD off feeBay, printing out and studying the disassembly instructions for each of the trim sections - you will probably find that if you go to the section on replacing the shocks, it will link to each of the sections you need to do before ....

[srhorn]

Thanks...that sounds like more work than doing the struts themselves! I'll try to get a copy of the TIS CD...sounds like it may be worth having!

Cheers,

Steve