Please read our discussion on this at the beginning of this article.or read our article BMW Strut Spring Compression Tool вЂ“ The Correct Choice for the Home Mechanic. A hook style spring compressor will not work on a BMW E46 strut replacement. Use a good plate (or вЂњforkвЂќ) style spring compressor to do this. The first step in disassembling the old strut is to compress the coil spring.Take photos of the strut to aid during reassembly. Before disassembling, note the orientation of the spring on the spring pads.Section 2 - Disassembling the Old Strut Disassembling the strut assembly requires compressing the spring so the lock nut on the strut mount can be removed. Remove the strut assembly from the vehicle.Use a 13mm socket wrench to remove the three mounting bolts anchoring the strut to the inside of the engine compartment.The king pin and wheel brake assembly should easily slide off the end of the strut. Use a small pry bar to loosen the king pin clamp.Use an 18mm socket wrench to remove the hexbolt and bracket anchoring the king pin to the strut.The 16mm open end wrench is needed to keep the bolt from spinning while trying to remove it. Use a 16mm socket wrench and a 16mm open end wrench to remove the stabilizer link bolt.These lines/wires should be removed so they are not in the way when removing the strut. Remove the brake caliper line, the wheel speed sensor wire, and the brake pad sensor wire from the bracket on the backside of the strut.Starting on the left side of the vehicle, locate and identify the wheel strut.Finish removing lug nuts and remove front wheels from vehicle.Jack and support the front of your vehicle using the Jack Stand MethodВ as shown in our article BMW Jacking and Supporting for Repairs and Maintenance.

You cannot loosen the front wheel lug nuts with a socket wrench or breaker bar when car is in the air.

If you do not have an impact wrench, use a 17mm socket and breaker bar to slightly loosen lug nuts on front wheels while car is on the ground.

If your suspension is heavily corroded, we suggest spraying all of the bolts down with a penetrating lubricant like Blaster PB prior to removing.

Section 1 - Removing the Struts from the Vehicle Removing the wheel struts from the vehicle is a relatively simple procedure.

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