Omega Owners Forum

Chat Area => General Car Chat => Topic started by: omegod on 29 March 2011, 19:50:34

Title: Shock change BMW?
Post by: omegod on 29 March 2011, 19:50:34
Hi,

Trying to get my bros e36 318i through the dreaded mot, one thing I aint done before is change a front shocker which is allegedly leaking, looks fine from what I have seen though, anyhow does anyone know if this can be done without employing a spring compressor? i.e. without removing the spring at all
Title: Re: Shock change BMW?
Post by: TheBoy on 29 March 2011, 19:52:25
MacPherson strut isn't it (trying to remember my Mum's). If so, you need a compressor.

Remember to replace the shocks in pairs :y
Title: Re: Shock change BMW?
Post by: omegod on 29 March 2011, 20:02:03
TBH Jamie this will be it's last year of service so whatever get's it through will have to suffice, only used for trundling round to the shops at driving miss daisy speeds.
Title: Re: Shock change BMW?
Post by: Lazydocker on 29 March 2011, 21:40:06
Fairly sure you'll need some compressors ;)

Do not attempt it without if you like your hands! :o

As said, should be done in pairs and, TBH, for the cost, why risk the unpredictability of not doing it ;) :y
Title: Re: Shock change BMW?
Post by: 2woody on 30 March 2011, 17:57:10
yep - compressors only

.... and do youself a favour, don't just change one - do you fancy explaining to the judge how you've just killed a bus-queue of nuns because it unexpectedly jumped sideways on braking ?
Title: Re: Shock change BMW?
Post by: omegod on 30 March 2011, 18:05:18
Quote
yep - compressors only

.... and do youself a favour, don't just change one - do you fancy explaining to the judge how you've just killed a bus-queue of nuns because it unexpectedly jumped sideways on braking ?

Convincing tale but you lose with the nuns, i rather hate em ;D

Cheers for the reminders on swapping them both, had a closer look today and a rear one is leaking and the will both be replaced but the fronts are bone dry, seems thats what you get with a fast fit tyre/ MOT place >:(
Title: Re: Shock change BMW?
Post by: damon80 on 30 March 2011, 23:45:10
If it's into its last year of service, may I suggest a quick wipe-over with a petrol-soaked rag pre-MOT?  :-[  ;D
Title: Re: Shock change BMW?
Post by: 2woody on 31 March 2011, 08:56:19
Quote
yep - compressors only

.... and do youself a favour, don't just change one - do you fancy explaining to the judge how you've just killed a bus-queue of nuns school kids because it unexpectedly jumped sideways on braking ?

dampers for those can't be expensive, surely