Suspension

[Matt H330]

OK, after replies from people on this board I have come to the conclusion that my top mounts at the rear are knackered. If it's not them at least it hasn't cost too much to change them and at least they will have been done!!

My first question is, can an idiot with a couple of axle stands and a philips screw driver (ie me) change the top mounts without loosing all my knuckles and ending up with the car out of use for a week? Or is this best left to someone who knows what he/she is doing?

Secondly, I am sure that someone is going to point out that as I will have it in pieces I may as well uprate the suspension and drop the car a few mill. The top mounts are only about 12 -15 quid each and I have a new baby and a wife who would kill me for spending more money than she deems needs to be spent on the car, but do I need to change the shocks etc. if I am changing the mounts? I don't want to be constantly replacing the front bumper because I've knocked it off on a spec of dust because it's so low, and Peppernick has kindly answered some questions for me regarding just replacing the springs (basically the car is nearly 5 years old and has 47k on it so the shocks wouldn't last 5 mins if I just changed the springs) so if I do change anything it would be shocks and springs and that sounds very expensive.

So basically the question is what do I do? How do I sort out the fact that the back of the car sounds like it is falling off without being divorced or having to sell my son and heir?

[peppernick]

Changing the rear top shock mount you don't need to replace the whole lot. Although, it'll be easier to do the whole lot sice you have the bits out but you don't have to.

To access your rear top shock mounts, you need to remove the felt carpeting in your boot. You can pull it out until you see the CD changer and the shock mount bolting point is just in front of it. Loosen the 2 bolts and the top end of your shock will be free. Jack the car up and loosen the bottom end of your shock and the whole unit comes out. Then just unscrew the top mounts and reverse the procedure.

Get the top mounts for the E46 M3 (they are the same price and will fit your car) but they are stronger.

[westside]

dude come to see me or give me a bell i'll sort you out also change the rear bump stops if your gonna do the rear shocks. if your thinking of lowering it you may as well do the front shocks to as its no extra labour :) u know i'm the man for suspension on here :-)

[Matt H330]

Thanks.

Just to check tho, I have a saloon, will the M3 mounts still fit?

[westside]

by the way lowering springs for you car are not expensive dude drop me a pm and i'll give u the prices :-)

[peppernick]

Thanks.

Just to check tho, I have a saloon, will the M3 mounts still fit?
Yes. The coupe and saloon share the same part no. 33521092362

If the M3 ones fit the coupe, it will fit the saloon. Part no. 33526754096

[westside]

see u next week dude springs are ordered :-)

[Matt H330]

Cheers dude, see you then.

[Afif]

my saloons 5 years with 77k on it now and eibach pro. I didnt change the front shocks [hmm. Only changed the back ones because kav spotted one leaking when installing the springs. Shud i be worried about the front?

[Raj]

They do say it is better to change the shocks when lowering as the shorter throw is better. But there is no real problem with just changing the springs. As long as you aren't having any major problems with your fronts then no need to worry.