Can not take out front suspension

[jaydeep]

I am putting H&R spring and Bilstein Sports Shocks in my vert. I started with rears and got done very quick. But front is PITA.
I am following Pelican DIY. I removed tie road & remove the front sway bar drop link from the control arm. But I can not take out spring & shocks assy Do I have to compress spring inorder to take it out spring and shocks?




http://www.pelicanparts.com/bmw/tech...ont_Suspen.htm

[Timmyboy]

Yes, you must compress the springs as much as possible. Even then removal is kind of a PITA but is very feasible. Removal of tie rod is also not a necessity btw.

[Kevinl]

Did you separate the ball joint from the spindle? If so you may need to loosen the lollipops so you can lower the controll arm further

[ak-]

You can take out the whole assembly without removing the spring/shock.
Then you can remove the spring and shock away from the car.

[RagtopE30]

And please for the love of biscuits, if you have never compressed a spring on a strut before, get help from someone that has experience and the proper tool. You can seriously hurt yourself if you mess that up.

[MonkeyMadness]

Dear god did you remove the inner tie rod linkage from the spinal cup!
please tell me you did before you did all of this?????????????????????????????????????

[MR 325]

Wow that writeup is terrible. You DO NOT need to compress the springs in the car! Remove the complete strut housing assembly and THEN compress the springs, remove the top nut, change the strut insert, etc. They also call the spindle a "control arm hub" and call the tie rod and sway bar nuts 19mm even though they are 17mm. Again, do not compress the springs or attempt to remove them inside the car. Remove the complete strut housing with spring and strut intact first.

[phenryiv1]

Wow that writeup is terrible. You DO NOT need to compress the springs in the car! Remove the complete strut housing assembly and THEN compress the springs, remove the top nut, change the strut insert, etc. They also call the spindle a "control arm hub" and call the tie rod and sway bar nuts 19mm even though they are 17mm. Again, do not compress the springs or attempt to remove them inside the car. Remove the complete strut housing with spring and strut intact first.

This.

I have done it many times on the e30 (though I am sure that hundreds of people on here have done it more often).

I found that a ball joint separator (not the fork version!!!) from OTC or Harbor Freight and a GOOD spring compressor (bought or borrowed) is essential. I bought the one that autoparts stores usually rent out and it is much nicer than the ones that they sell but only costs about $10 more.

Here is the ball joint tool:



Here was my experience:

http://www.r3vlimited.com/board/showthread.php?t=257210&page=17