Struts, Shocks and Control Arm Bushing Replacement BMW 325i

[chalie2293]

Why does my car vibrate when I hit 70mph?

[edzgarage]

@chalie2293 Because it's scared lol

Seriously though... It could be a bad tire.

[flyboyy]

Yea nice video... thumbs up. :)

[edzgarage]

@flyboyy Thanks for watching!

[axzell2]

Great video

[edzgarage]

@axzell2 Thanks!

[pointerisnull]

Great tutorial!

[edzgarage]

@pointerisnull Thanks for watching!

[TTVT1]

Helped me put in my front struts on my 93 325i in three hours! Thanks!

[edzgarage]

@TTVT1 That's great! Thanks for the comment!

[coolmanwellls]

I noticed your struts came out so easy, im doing struts on the same car right now and they are not coming out that easy, the sway bar does not drop down on mine as far as yours does...any suggestions/tips you may have?? Thank and great video.

[edzgarage]

@coolmanwellls I only had to remove the sway bar end link. The sway bar is in it's original position.

[SteveOK82]

So I attempted this procedure this morning and... not so much. The very first and last problem was removing the sway link. As I loosened the 16mm nut, the sway link bolt was binding where it mounts to the shock and i couldnt release the pressure no matter how I tried... any ideas?

[edzgarage]

@SteveOK82 Maybe you could put a floor jack under the sway bar and lift it up a bit to remove the tension.

[SteveOK82]

@edzgarage Thats the problem. it needs to go down, not up...

[blitzfork]

might as be a video for hard boiling eggs. You skipped how you replaced the Control Arm Bushings. It's in the title so it's what I expect to see. Thanks

[edzgarage]

@blitzfork Really...? What was I doing starting at 1:46 I wasn't boiling eggs lol

[rudeboy8787]

what brand struts/shocks did u use?

[edzgarage]

@rudeboy8787 I think they are Sach

[eshark08]

How much did all the parts set you back?

Thanks

[edzgarage]

@eshark08 I think it was around $400

[annesh1]

dont grip on the shock when removing/installing the top bearing (rear end), u should screw it by hand and tighten it when the car is lowered on the ground.. The scratches on the shock can damage the gasket in the down side of the shock and the shock can bend it self at the top :P It rearly happens, but it was the reason for me having to replace them.. My old shock was bendt at the top, and the shock arm was full of scratches from previous ovner.. good video though :)

[edzgarage]

@annesh1 Thanks for the tip!

[Desmodromic916]

I guess this beemer almost hit 180,000 miles?

[edzgarage]

@Desmodromic916 Currently it at 184k miles

[MrEddieo1]

Ed,

did mine saturday and had trouble with the pin spinning and unable to get the nut down all the way. i need to go in there and try in place with vice grips or take shocks out and put in a vice. video didnt show the step on installation side. removal was easy but now i have about 3/4" of threads to cover.

[edzgarage]

@MrEddieo1 Are you referring to the shocks? Hold the shaft from the outside as high as you can with vice grip pliers.

[dpanaz]

Thanks for the great video Ed! I know you replaced the rear mounts, but did you replace the front strut mounts as well? 

[edzgarage]

@dpanaz Thanks for the comment! No, I didn't replace the front mounts.

[acon1974]

Hi. I replaced the front struts with Sachs struts and mounts (I kept the original bme oe spring) but I noticed the gap between the fender and the wheel is at least 3 inches higher than before. Is this normal?

[edzgarage]

@acon1974 Sounds like something is wrong. My car sat exactly the same height it did before I changed the struts.

[acon1974]

@edzgarage Thanks for the reply. I think the issue is I have 18'' wheels with low performance tires so the gap is more noticeable than before since the original struts were worn out. I've heard that new struts need to settle with time but I don't think they'll go that low. I guess the solution to this would be to get lowering springs but that;s something I don't want to do.

[acon1974]

@edzgarage I meant low profile tires

[rednightist]

Thnx for the great video on replacement of front struts. It was a steep learning curve but well worth it. Had some problems with removing the original struts from the spindle that it was resting on but was able to resolve that buy compressing the springs again and wrapping a rope to keep the springs compressed while I lowered the control arm again. And off came the original struts. Also as a reminder to others. Make sure that the new springs are seated correctly on the lower pads.

[edzgarage]

@rednightist Thanks for the comment and tips!

[tmpendergrass]

Thanks for all the videos on the bmw ! Is your car an automatic, if so have you had any problems with the transmission? I'm about to buy a e46 325i and want to make sure the transmission won't have problems down the road.

[edzgarage]

@tmpendergrass Hello! Thanks for the comment! Yes, my 325 is an automatic. So far no issues and it has 182k miles. I have never had the trans opened up either...

[edzgarage]

@tmpendergrass Hello! Thanks for the comment! Yes, my 325 is an automatic. So far no issues and it has 182k miles. I have never had the trans opened up either...

[voteforpedro83]

How long did that take total?

Nice video, very helpful indeed, thanks!

[edzgarage]

@voteforpedro83 It took a few hours. I don't remember exactly. Thanks for the comment! 

[acon1974]

Once again thanks! After replacing my rear brakes thanks to your video I plan on changing the front struts (with some help of course). How has your experience been with the Sachs struts? Also did you use OEM strut mounts or Sachs as well? After doing some online searches the Sachs parts are less expensive than the dealer and I believe they are the same as far as quality goes.

[edzgarage]

@acon1974 Thanks for the comment! The Sachs struts have been great so far. I reused the OEM mounts. 

[oscarv362370]

hey there, im changing the bushings as well, do i need a special tool, or can i use a hammer to take them out, and back on thanks

[edzgarage]

@oscarv362370 Those things are a real bear to replace if you are removing and installing rubber OEM style bushings. If you are removing or replacing polyurethane bushings no special tools are required. Good luck.

[edzgarage]

@oscarv362370 Those things are a real bear to replace if you are removing and installing rubber OEM style bushings. If you are removing or replacing polyurethane bushings no special tools are required. Good luck.

[oscarv362370]

@edzgarage thanks, im looking forward to do this next week

[THEREDTUXEDO]

Nice video, just subscribed. Anyway I've got a 2001 330i and everytime I make a right turn I get a chirping noise from the back right wheel. Once I go straight after the turn, it goes away. Any ideas on what it is?

[edzgarage]

@THEREDTUXEDO Thanks for the sub! Sounds like maybe the brake dust shield is bent and hitting the rotor or you have a cricket problem lol

[scienceisgod1]

Ed - Very nice video! I replace my upper strut bushings (coil seats) but still have "clunking" sound. What do you think I should replace next? No sign of leaks in strut (150K miles). Thanks

[edzgarage]

@scienceisgod1 Have you checked your control arms and control arm bushing? There could be some play in they making the sounds you are hearing.

[scienceisgod1]

@edzgarage Control arm bushings do show some signs of wear. However, after inspecting my NEW coil seats I see they have failed! So that is still IMO the cause of the noise. Do you have any thoughts about which other component could cause these to fail? I'm thinking STRUTS. What say you?

[edzgarage]

@scienceisgod1 Struts may be to blame or weak springs could be the problem too.

[jonnysako65]

Ed, I live in a very rural part of Kansas and not to many mechanics want to work on my 2 BMWs. I was going to take the car to the local Junk - Yard where I get my cars worked on but watched your video and decided to take on the task myself. $125 per strut (Bilstein) and 3 hours to do the job. You saved me about $300 Labor costs. Thanks for a GREAT VIDEO.

[edzgarage]

@jonnysako65 Wow, that's great! Thanks for the comment!

[babyhaitian1027]

Nice vid. I have a 99 328i and the front squeaks like crazy. But it does not bounce all over the place. Ppl keep tell me to replace the shocks. Do u think thats the problem? And how did u know your control arm was broken?

[edzgarage]

@babyhaitian1027 I'm not sure why your front end would squeaking, especially if it just started doing it all of a sudden. You'll know when your control arm bushings are bad when the front end shakes during hard high speed braking.

[MrJerrynierzwicki]

I wish you would have shown how you used your bushing pusher to reinstall the bushings. Why did you need the special tool to install the new bushings?

Thanks

[edzgarage]

@MrJerrynierzwicki I tried to show how my son pushed the bushing on with his homemade pusher. If you are replacing with polyurethane you should not need any tools to install. I have another vid showing that installation procedure.

[oscarv362370]

My friend thanks for this I was figuring it out how to change them but I was afraid, but now watching this vid

[edzgarage]

@oscarv362370 Thanks for the comment!

[MrEddieo1]

Why not replace coils too? Could have fatiue and negate the job down the road no? I just got a '01 325i with 94k and want to do this job. I am on the fence about it. Very helpful Ed.

[edzgarage]

@MrEddieo1 The springs were good, but it probably would have been a good idea to change them.

[4711Express]

@edzgarage

MrEddieo1 please be aware that BMW has special springs fitting to the weight of the car either with or without automatic gearbox, M Technik yes or no, 4 cilinder or 6 cilinder all these things count. The springs come with a colour code.

[knsaber]

Thanks for the video! Going to work on this tomorrow!

[edzgarage]

@knsaber Good luck! Thanks for the comment! 

[dustziggy]

Can I ask how many miles have you done? I'm looking at purchasing an E46 touring but wondering how durable these models are. My last benz, a c180 started to have lots of little problems around 90k - 100k miles so I decided to get rid of it.

[edzgarage]

@dustziggy My car currently has 172k miles on it. It's been a good car, but like all cars things do wear out. I live in a state that has horrible roads and harsh weather. The car has held up well considering the environment it has been subjected to on a daily basis.

[dustziggy]

@edzgarage Thank you for your timely reply. Keep up the good work

[WHATUG]

certified bimmer tech will replace both struts for $375.00 out the door price. each strut cost $65.00. Is it worth it to save the $210.00 considering I only have a few tools and no clamps to compress the springs to replace the struts?

[edzgarage]

@WHATUG You should probably have them do it.

[gamesbok]

Very helpful, many thanks. I have a spring to replace.

[edzgarage]

@gamesbok Thanks for the comment!

[Quey1989]

how do you remove the REAR springs? , i cannot figure it out

[edzgarage]

@Quey1989 I didn't remove any springs in the rear. The shocks are held in on the top bottom and are pretty simple to remove.

[hp11208]

@Quey1989 rear has shocks only no coil spring.

[05front]

I have to give it to you man. Holding the camera and working like that must have been the biggest pain in the Ass. Kudos to you!

[edzgarage]

@05front lol It can be challenging to make these vids. Thanks for the comment!

[edzgarage]

@05front lol It can be challenging to make these vids. Thanks for the comment!

[nutzw1]

I love the demon eyes !!

[edzgarage]

@nutzw1 Thanks! I modified them to be red.

[1latinoguy]

Nice Video and used it as reference this weekend when I installed some H&R Sport Springs with Bilsteins Sports Shocks and Struts. Went too fast on the rear shock install Did you fit 2 rubber washers on the shocks?The rubber bushings sandwich the shock mount from underneath and on top. I had to leave the one on top out because i don't think I would be able to tighten the 16" nut otherwise.

[vegasblazer702]

how much did all the parts cost if you dont mind me asking 

[edzgarage]

@vegasblazer702 I don't remember exactly. I think it was around $300.

[EthanCommins888]

@edzgarage Really only $300? where did you purchase these parts?

[edzgarage]

@EthanCommins888 I did a lot of internet comparison shopping. I ordered from more than one place. I can't remember which sites exactly and prices do change.

[local378]

Perfect thanks for including wrench sizes very helpful

Greg

[edzgarage]

@local378 Thanks for comment Greg!

[arangomad]

Once you install the new bushin into the suport, is it hard to press the enire bushing into the control arm? Can you do it just by pressing with your hand?

Tahnks, great videos!

[edzgarage]

@arangomad The control arm was very difficult to get into the new bushing. I did another video where I replaced these bushings with polyurethane and these were much easier to install.

[splifey]

i have to replace the hole shock on one side of my car but im told i have to do both sides or it will be off balance and the other side will go, can you give me any advice, how did yours work out

[edzgarage]

@splifey I suggest you do both shocks. They are very easy to do. Mine are working out great.

[splifey]

@edzgarage  thanks.

[hp11208]

no air tools man

[edzgarage]

@hp11208 Not on this job. I do have them if I needed them.

[photodiva85]

Hey just curious, were the springs easy to put back on? I am having serious issues, not being able to compress them far enough to get the strut on. I have a 2003, so a bit different but I would assume not that much. Maybe I am using the wrong strut on the wrong side? I dont know. Just curious on if you had any issues as you didnt show putting the spring back onto the strut.

let me know!

Thanks

[edzgarage]

@photodiva85 I did have trouble putting the nut back on the strut. I had to lean on it with all I had and have my son get the nut started. My spring compressor did not compress the springs all the way.

[jonnyweston]

Hi there,

I have to do a wishbone replacement on my E36 compact... it looks like more or less its very much the same sort of job, what do you reckon?

thanks, great video

Jonny

[edzgarage]

@jonnyweston Hello, I don't know a lot about the e36, but I would say the jobs are similar. Thanks for the comment!

[325xitgrocgetter]

How many miles on the E46 when you replaced the CABS struts and shocks?

[edzgarage]

@325xitgrocgetter It had about 120K on the Struts and Shocks and about 40K on the CABs.

[nhernick]

Perfect just what I needed to see Thanks for your time!!!!

[edzgarage]

@nhernick You're welcome and good luck on your repairs.

[elantra11]

Very nice and clear ! Quick question - those Sachs, were they made Mexico or Germany ?

[edzgarage]

@elantra11 Thank you! They were made in Germany I believe.

[blues03]

You seem very dexterous with those tools. Good deal, nice video too.

[edzgarage]

@blues03 Thank you very much!

[vtokrri]

its a 4hours job ,you need 4 days.funny...

did you open and clos the shocks several times ,so you get out any air bulb created on the shock cilinder dudde ? before you mounted thos shocks because other way thos shocks last just a week.

[edzgarage]

@vtokrri LOL!

[jf2531]

VERY NICE !

[edzgarage]

@jf2531 Thanks!!

[sidnum]

Hey thanks a lot! This was a big help for me to get a visual on the job at hand.

[edzgarage]

@sidnum No problem. Good luck!

[meatintaco2002]

nice job man , thanks for posting ! I think everyone should jump and learn to repair their own car.

Go fix a car=)

95 325I BMW 2.5L

[edzgarage]

@meatintaco2002 Thanks for the comment! :-)

[EthanCommins888]

It looks like you have slight mushrooming on the strut dome.

[edzgarage]

@EthanCommins888 Strut towers are good. Thanks for the comment.

[craig1974]

thank god i need no major car repairs in the future. just maybe a rear tire replacement on my scooter

[edzgarage]

@craig1974 LOL!!! Thanks Craig.

[Athfos]

How did the "bushing pusher" work?? Do you have to have one to replace the bushings back on the control arm or on to the chassis? Apart from that it was all clear. Thanks

[edzgarage]

@Athfos The "bushing pusher" helps you knock the new bushing onto the control arm. You don't have to have one, but it does make it easier to install the bushing. I have seen vids of guys using a dead blow hammer to knock them on.

[RadioRex72]

Great video, really enjoyed it. Currently working on some issues with my wife's E320 Mercedes. You're right that these Euro cars seem to have some problems, but they always seem to respond and renew with new parts. Many of the wear items like the ball joints are actually designed to be serviced. Thanks again for the video.

[edzgarage]

@RadioRex72 Thanks for the comment! I really like my 325i and I hope to keep it running for some time to come.

[Pana69sonic]

that was an enjoyable video 5 stars

I love that night and day feeling after replacing really worn or broken suspension parts, feels nice not to have to brace yourself for the bumps and corners.

[edzgarage]

@Pana69sonic I do too! It handles perfect now.

[jdrocks85]

good job ed:)5stars

[edzgarage]

@jdrocks85 Thanks Bryce!

[Brown1286]

Great video. Wonder how much you saved by doing that repair? You made it look easy.

[edzgarage]

@Brown1286 Thanks! I saved many 100's.

[johndeeretech09]

didnt look like that bad of a job. great vid!

[edzgarage]

@johndeeretech09 Thanks!

[lovinitson]

how many miles do you have on it

many problems mine doesnt have problems

[edzgarage]

@lovinitson I have 151k and it's had a few problems. Thanks for the comment.

[NRP1991]

wow sweeeet video!

[edzgarage]

@NRP1991 Thanks Nick!

[01jaycob]

Awesome video, great job!

-Jaycob

[edzgarage]

@01jaycob Thanks!

[TheSaturnV]

Outstanding wrenching and video editing. I bet that bad boy drives like a new car now. Luv new suspension parts.

;]

[edzgarage]

@TheSaturnV Thanks for the comment! It does drive nice now.

[Needmorehorsepower]

looked like your ratchet got stuck removing the rear shock top nut,then you cut the camera :) better trade the 3251 in for an x5 it will probably handle the potholes around there better.supiorer work ed thanks for the video. 5stars buddy :)

[edzgarage]

@Needmorehorsepower lol there were many cuts to this vid that are not appropriate for all audiences. Thanks for the comments Scott!

[mbyr31]

Awesome job man!! Very informative!

[edzgarage]

@mbyr31 Thanks Matt!

[bimmersgarage]

Nice video. Informative.. I'm in the process of replacing my lower control arm and bushings.

[edzgarage]

@bimmersgarage Thanks!

[500passwords]

way to go Ed , i was SHOCKED at how easy

you made that look . way to STRUT your stuff buddy :)

[edzgarage]

@500passwords LOL!!! Thanks 500!

[Needmorehorsepower]

@500passwords oooooo he's got a millon of em folks,shows start at 10 ,4 shows daily :)

[500passwords]

ill be here all week , dont forget to tip your waitresses

[dirtriderkx500]

Glad ya got it fixed. I bet the wallet is lighter to. LOLGreat Vido.

[edzgarage]

@dirtriderkx500 Thanks! Yes my wallet is not weighing me down now lol

[Needmorehorsepower]

@dirtriderkx500 why do you say that mike is it because bmw stands for bustout my wallet???? been there done that,i replacent the cats on our 540i OUCH!!!!!! 1050.00 later they are bad in 2 years(i bought the aftermarket replacement but they are under warrenty still)

[TractorWorld]

great vid 5/5

[edzgarage]

@TractorWorld Thanks!

[mstruckerboy]

Lots of things to replace I see! 5/5 :-D

[edzgarage]

@mstruckerboy Yep, all done now! Thanks for the comment!