DIY for Rear Shock Absorber, anywhere?

[LeiZ]

I did my homework, but the search result didn't provide too much related to rear shock absorber. It's mostly air suspension related. Mine is non-air.

Last night finally pulled all the cover and found out where the shock amount is. But if there's a DIY or procedure of some sort, that'll be fantastic. Otherwise, you'll see a DIY write-up pretty soon, with all the mess I'm about to make.

By the way, do I need to put some bricks under the wheel before I take the shock absorber off?

Thanks, guys!

[davintosh]

The Bentley manual probably covers it, but from what I've heard it's pretty easy. Don't even need to jack it up or pull the wheels. The bottom of the shock attaches to the wheel carrier with one bolt, and the top of it attaches to the body, somewhere behind the rear seat. You'll have to poke around a bit to find the mount, but it looks to be just a single nut at the top.

Here's a pic of a subframe from an eBay auction that shows the shock attachment point, but not where it attaches to the body.



The design is pretty similar to the e38 & e39, so if you can find videos on them it might be of some help.

[Kristophe]

I replaced my rear shocks last summer. No bricks or support needed underneath the wheel carrier. Do lift and remove the wheel for more working area. On the top mount bolt you'll notice where you'll need to hold the end with a small cresent while you loosen (and re tighten) the nut. Remove the bottom (22 or 24mm) bolt and shock comes right out. You'll need to transfer the bellow and bumper stop to the new shock. I went with Sachs Touring for my replacements.

[LeiZ]

Awesome!!!! Any idea of the torque value?

You guys are the man!! Thanks!

[Ricky Bobby]

^sachs touring good choice for replacement man. They work well on air suspension equipped models as well (not all of them do). Also Bilstein B4 touring good shocks as well

[Kristophe]

Tightening Torques

Shock absorber to upper mount 27 Nm (20 ft-lb

Shock absorber to swing arm 127 Nm (94 ft-lb)

Strut mount to body (if you are replacing)
- Gray fasteners 28 Nm (21 ft-lb)
- Yellow fasteners 24 Nm (18 ft-lb)

[LeiZ]

Let me know when you come down to CT, I'm gonna buy you at least a lunch, man! Thanks.

Originally Posted by Kristophe

Tightening Torques

Shock absorber to upper mount 27 Nm (20 ft-lb

Shock absorber to swing arm 127 Nm (94 ft-lb)

Strut mount to body (if you are replacing)
- Gray fasteners 28 Nm (21 ft-lb)
- Yellow fasteners 24 Nm (18 ft-lb)

[Kristophe]

Oklahoma is a ways from Connecticut but hey I appreciate the gesture nonetheless..

I've been helped here many times over so I want to give back when I can.

My daughter lives up in Pennsylvania so who knows, I may be up in your nick of the woods sometime.