Can't re-install front strut assembly

fdriller9 · 05-30-2011, 10:18 PM

Hey guys I'm trying to install oem sport suspension springs on my xi and can't reinstall the strut assembly. I've already damaged my fender, rolling the hat around inside....it's almost wedged in there.

What I don't understand is, that it came out.....why won't it go back in?

I have a friend who says he dropped the subframe a bit to re-install the strut assembly.

Is there something I'm missing? There's no DIY guides for spring installs on an xi....at least I don't think there is. My bently manual says nothing about dropping the subframe.

I'll attempt it tomorrow but I'm kinda frustrated since I just worked on the driver's side strut for 9 hours....and all I accomplished was damaging my fender.

mthomas · 05-30-2011, 10:47 PM

Look in the diy section

fdriller9 · 05-30-2011, 10:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mthomas

Look in the diy section

For what? None of them mention anything about lowering the subframe nor are they for xis....

quickawd · 05-30-2011, 11:11 PM

I had a similar problem last weekend when I installed a new set of struts and springs. I was able to remove the whole strut assembly with minimal problems, but putting the new assembly back in proved to be a challenge.

What I observed is that the drive shaft for the front wheels can lock up when the suspension is allowed to fully flex once the strut assembly has been removed (only my observation). If this happens, you can push the new strut assembly as hard as possible and it won't move past the fender.

I have no idea what the "correct" method is since all the DIY's are for the i. So I came up with my own way, and its pretty simple (I did it alone, but its easier with two people).

1. Place the new strut assembly in the wheel well without placing it into the pinch mount (it will have to be held up close to the strut mount to give enough room for the next step)
2. Jack up the steering knuckle until the pinch mount is close to vertical and is close to the bottom of the strut
3. Slide the strut into the pinch mount
4. Done... well except for tightening everything down

By doing it that way you avoid having to wrestle it past you fender. Once again, I have no idea what the correct method is. I came up with that after spending a frustrating afternoon trying to figure out why the strut assembly would not go back in. Hope this helps!

If anyone else has any good tips, I'd like to hear them as well since I'm still trying to figure out what I originally did wrong.

EDIT: This was done with Bilstein struts, which are a couple inches shorter then the stockers. Not sure if this method will work with the stock struts.

fdriller9 · 05-31-2011, 08:08 AM

^ thanks I'll try that

BMCoupe_782 · 05-31-2011, 08:44 AM

Good luck dude - it's not an easy task. I "thought" about doing my own springs but have decided to get it done professionally.

fdriller9 · 05-31-2011, 09:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BMCoupe_782

Good luck dude - it's not an easy task. I "thought" about doing my own springs but have decided to get it done professionally.

Yea I learned that the expensive way....now I just want to go back to stock.

fdriller9 · 05-31-2011, 12:44 PM

Quick awd...it worked perfectly. Thanks again.

quickawd · 05-31-2011, 08:49 PM

No problem!

Glad it worked out for you as well as it did for me.

05-30-2011, 10:18 PM	#1
fdriller9 Banned 253 Rep 7,089 Posts Drives: '06 AW 330xi Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: North Jersey/Philly/NYC iTrader: (4) Garage List 2006 330xi [6.44]	Can't re-install front strut assembly Hey guys I'm trying to install oem sport suspension springs on my xi and can't reinstall the strut assembly. I've already damaged my fender, rolling the hat around inside....it's almost wedged in there. What I don't understand is, that it came out.....why won't it go back in? I have a friend who says he dropped the subframe a bit to re-install the strut assembly. Is there something I'm missing? There's no DIY guides for spring installs on an xi....at least I don't think there is. My bently manual says nothing about dropping the subframe. I'll attempt it tomorrow but I'm kinda frustrated since I just worked on the driver's side strut for 9 hours....and all I accomplished was damaging my fender.
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05-30-2011, 10:47 PM	#2
mthomas Private First Class 5 Rep 156 Posts Drives: 2006 330xi Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: lNorth Shore, Lake Tahoe iTrader: (0)	Look in the diy section
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05-30-2011, 11:11 PM	#4
quickawd New Member 0 Rep 13 Posts Drives: 08 335xi Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Somewhere in MN iTrader: (0)	I had a similar problem last weekend when I installed a new set of struts and springs. I was able to remove the whole strut assembly with minimal problems, but putting the new assembly back in proved to be a challenge. What I observed is that the drive shaft for the front wheels can lock up when the suspension is allowed to fully flex once the strut assembly has been removed (only my observation). If this happens, you can push the new strut assembly as hard as possible and it won't move past the fender. I have no idea what the "correct" method is since all the DIY's are for the i. So I came up with my own way, and its pretty simple (I did it alone, but its easier with two people). 1. Place the new strut assembly in the wheel well without placing it into the pinch mount (it will have to be held up close to the strut mount to give enough room for the next step) 2. Jack up the steering knuckle until the pinch mount is close to vertical and is close to the bottom of the strut 3. Slide the strut into the pinch mount 4. Done... well except for tightening everything down By doing it that way you avoid having to wrestle it past you fender. Once again, I have no idea what the correct method is. I came up with that after spending a frustrating afternoon trying to figure out why the strut assembly would not go back in. Hope this helps! If anyone else has any good tips, I'd like to hear them as well since I'm still trying to figure out what I originally did wrong. EDIT: This was done with Bilstein struts, which are a couple inches shorter then the stockers. Not sure if this method will work with the stock struts. Last edited by quickawd; 05-30-2011 at 11:19 PM..
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05-31-2011, 08:08 AM	#5
fdriller9 Banned 253 Rep 7,089 Posts Drives: '06 AW 330xi Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: North Jersey/Philly/NYC iTrader: (4) Garage List 2006 330xi [6.44]	^ thanks I'll try that
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05-31-2011, 08:44 AM	#6
BMCoupe_782 Bavarian Fever 34 Rep 1,108 Posts Drives: 08' e92 328xi TiAg Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Queens, NY / North NJ iTrader: (4)	Good luck dude - it's not an easy task. I "thought" about doing my own springs but have decided to get it done professionally. __________________ \| ESS n52 Tune \| BMW Performance Intake/Exhaust \| LUX H8 v3 AE \| GP Thunder 8500K fogs/corners \| LED: signals/interior \| V1 hardwired \| debadge \| AC pedals \| Performance shift knob/boot \| CF e-brake \| Aero lip \| m3 side skirts/spoiler \| MB kidneys \| Strut brace \| Painted reflectors \| Painted Calipers/Hubs \| 35% 3M tint \| Smoked tails \| CF Roundels \| 19" Miro 942 \| Conti DWS \| H&R Springs for xi \| Bilstein Shocks\| Nxt: Alpine Subs/Amps
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05-31-2011, 12:44 PM	#8
fdriller9 Banned 253 Rep 7,089 Posts Drives: '06 AW 330xi Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: North Jersey/Philly/NYC iTrader: (4) Garage List 2006 330xi [6.44]	Quick awd...it worked perfectly. Thanks again.
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05-31-2011, 08:49 PM	#9
quickawd New Member 0 Rep 13 Posts Drives: 08 335xi Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Somewhere in MN iTrader: (0)	No problem! Glad it worked out for you as well as it did for me.
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