DIY: Aftermarket Spring Install

The process is very similar (with some simplifications) to regular 3 Series' install: H&R Springs Install DIY (finally)

All the bolts and nuts that need to be removed are circled in red. BMW recommends replacing all nuts and bolts.

Torque specs: http://www.m3post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=183005

I've done this so many times since when this thread was written. Now updated for 2010

Best Practices:

Front Axle:
1. When removing the front springs: use a jack and push up the front suspension to compress the spring, and then put on the spring compressor. This will save you a lot of time.
2. The strut piston rod can be pushed into the shock with hands.

Rear Axle:
1. When loosening the bolts: loosen the shock bolt first, the camber arm/wheel carrier bolt second.
2. When tightening the bolts: tighten the camber arm/wheel carrier bolt first, the shock bolt second.
3. It may be very tough to align the wheel carrier with the camber arm. Try jacking up the camber arm, and use a wrench as a level to position the parts.
4. When aligned correctly, you should be able to push the outer bolt completely through the camber arm, without any turning. This bolt is tightened by the nut.

So you removed and replace the spring without removing the entire front strut assembly?

Yup, as said, all bolts needed to be removed are circled.

cool nice write up

SWEET! Any shots of the rear install? I know it's probably exactly the same as a normal 3 series.

MDCTFTW wrote

SWEET! Any shots of the rear install? I know it's probably exactly the same as a normal 3 series.

dude... you gotta a little better. The first picture is the rear install.

rzm3 wrote

dude... you gotta a little better. The first picture is the rear install.

Holy shit, I fail. My bad! Thanks again for the specs and pics. Time to order my springs.

How difficult was it using the spring compressor? I have done tons of coil-over installs before on my various cars including two e46 M3's, but have never installed drop springs. I recently ordered some H&R springs and plan on doing the install myself. Am a little worried about using the spring compressor in fear that it will slip or fail and the spring will shoot out and hurt someone, the car, or something else. Is it straight forward using the compressor and is it pretty sturdy? Would love some input on this. TIA.

PunjabiM3 wrote

How difficult was it using the spring compressor? I have done tons of coil-over installs before on my various cars including two e46 M3's, but have never installed drop springs. I recently ordered some H&R springs and plan on doing the install myself. Am a little worried about using the spring compressor in fear that it will slip or fail and the spring will shoot out and hurt someone, the car, or something else. Is it straight forward using the compressor and is it pretty sturdy? Would love some input on this. TIA.

They are extremely sturdy. They have little safety pins to push to keep the springs from popping out. It really easy and straight forward.

camaross305 wrote

They are extremely sturdy. They have little safety pins to push to keep the springs from popping out. It really easy and straight forward.

Cool thanks. Is one of these designs better than the other:
http://shop.oreillyauto.com/ProductDetail.aspx?MfrCode=PBI&MfrPartNumber=647089&CategoryCode=3492

http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_12605_00971466000P?vName=Tools&cName=MechanicsTools&sName=Automotive%20Specialty%20Tools&psid=YAHOOSSP01&sid=ISx20070515x00001c

FYI you can rent spring compressors for free at autozone.

rzm3 wrote

FYI you can rent spring compressors for free at autozone.

That's good to know!

rzm3 wrote

FYI you can rent spring compressors for free at autozone.

i didnt know that ... $6/day at kragen

rzm3 wrote

FYI you can rent spring compressors for free at autozone.

yep thats where i always get them from or advanced

Bump so I can find this thread in the spring too.

Great rightup!

how long did it take?

1989baby wrote

how long did it take?

GregW / Oregon wrote

my bad, just trippin cause I'm doing mine tomorrow!

DID IT!!! took me and a friend about 2.5 hours. It was super easy. we had planned a 6 hour install like the thread said. Thanks rzm3 for the DIY helped out a lot. and thnks for all the torque specs too looks great now

if an alignment is not done, what kind of tire wear would we see?

1989baby wrote

DID IT!!! took me and a friend about 2.5 hours. It was super easy. we had planned a 6 hour install like the thread said. Thanks rzm3 for the DIY helped out a lot. and thnks for all the torque specs too looks great now

Nice to hear!!