Really good job. I was thinking I would make the same video for other people, but I fiund this video and you made really good instructions. FYI. Sway bar link torque spec. is 100nm. I recently replace control arms and sway bar links so I remember, but it was quite hard to make enough torque using crowsfoot wrench.

Man! Thanks a lot for the so much clear tutorial!

Great video! For people tackling this job do not expect it to go this smoothly. The pinch bolt on the strut is very difficult to get off, you’ll need heat and patience. Order new bolts because you’ll be hammering yours out. For me I used the black oem style bilstein shocks and needed two sets of spring compressors to get the xdrive spring compressed enough to reinstall. Good luck with the right tools this can be done in a weekend

@cbr600325i

Жыл бұрын

Hi - Great video. How much is it parts and labor? on a 2011 x3. Thanks

Magnificent details… thank you very much!!

Great video. For anyone attempting this at home, the bottom pinch bolt will be your biggest pain as others have mentioned. I tried torching it, 5lb sledge, and even an air impact gun to twist it out the other side. Nothing worked for me. My bolt was fully seized inside the hub and I live in Texas where we don’t even get rust. Unfortunately for me this meant having to reuse the bolt, and only replacing the locking nut on the end. In case anyone experiences the same thing, it is possible to get the strut out but you have to be patient and really maneuver it, because the alignment tab on the bottom will catch/rub on the pinch bolt on it’s way up… and when you put the new one back in.

Perfect job 🎉

good job mate!

Jack stands blend in with the Bilstein Shocks 👍🏼

everyone, be ready to destroy the bottom pinch bolt. if you live anywhere where rust and corrosion is a problem (me in Ohio) you have to beat that thing out. Some folks have mentioned this in the comments and on other message boards. 5lb sledge, torch and LOTS of patience. Be sure to replace like for like bolt and nut. Local Menards had it, M12, 80MM long, class 10.9. Also, pay close attention to the orientation of the driver side brake sensors and where the wires are placed. Getting the new strut in place is tricky. Lots of jostling and muscle. Best of luck to you all!

Looks easy if you have the tools and all the setup :)

My wheel hub to shock bolt was completely frozen, I mean to some ridiculous degree. We had to torch it for a long time and then crack it with a breaker bar going back and forth and apply tens of kgs of elbow grease. Yours almost came out on its own. I always end up with the shitty situation.

Hey there, great video! Is the the model with the adjustable suapension? Sport / sport plus ect?

@kenkanfix

2 жыл бұрын

hi, this one didn't have adjustable suspension, the process is the same except for unplugging a cable to the shocks

@joshfernandezthediycarguy443

2 жыл бұрын

Ok 👌 Thanks for the Reply.

Nice video, easy to follow. Just wondering were you got the torque settings from.

@kenkanfix

2 жыл бұрын

hi, I found the settings from searching various BMW forums, I don't remember which ones though. I think it was the e90 and x3 forums.

@paul13efc

2 жыл бұрын

@@kenkanfix Thanks for the reply.

I've just test-driven a 2011 F25 30D, 141k kms, shocks feel worn-out, rear (particularly) is bouncing and wagging a lot. Interested in your view of how the Bilstein B6 works with the stock springs. Thanks for your video, looks no more difficult than e46 job. Regards from NZ.

@kenkanfix

3 жыл бұрын

Hi, The car feels nice and firm especially around corners. I read from FCP Euro, the B6 were designed to use with stock springs. I am very happy with B6 shocks. Good Luck.

@pablotelford6788

Жыл бұрын

I ordered B4 for my wife’s car… I’d get the B6 if it were mine though.

@Tom-lf2ew

11 ай бұрын

Just hit, 140k MILES on wife's 2012 x3. Seems especially bouncy recently so this is my next job... All shocks on my Z3 were toast after 110k. I'm going with b4 since I like the stock feel

Shame you didn’t video getting the bottom of the shock into place - struggling with that part of it! Any tips?

@kenkanfix

2 жыл бұрын

Hi Sorry 😞 I actually forgot to record that part. I put the shock in the wheel arch, place the bottom of the shock in place then line up the top. good luck.

Hi, thank you for the instructions. I saw in a different video that they loosen the control arm, in order to easily remove but mainly to easily reinsert the shock struts. I see comments here of people having trouble to get them back, do you think that getting the control arm loose is worth it? Or no need at all?

@kenkanfix

6 ай бұрын

hi, I try to minimise work for myself 🙂, for this job it's pretty much what you see in the video.

@diverscuba123

5 ай бұрын

@@kenkanfix thank you for the video, it gave me the confidence to do this myself. My advise to others after going through this... it was much easier to get the struts out and back in after uninstalling the control arm (wishbone) from the inner part (did not want to damage the ball joint) and using a jack right on the wheel hub assembly (don't leave the axle hanging). If you do this and your wheel hub seems to be turned inwards by the end of the process, is not steering wheel related, but most likely related to the CV joint's tripod getting out of its housing. It should be relatively easy to get it back in, just keep in mind that you won't be able to see it as it is inside the boot. Also, watch this video and keep this procedure in mind when reinstalling the wishbone or any other suspension part for that matter. kzread.info/dash/bejne/oqR5y7KSfrqffrQ.html Lastly, it is quite complicated to get a new OE/OEM shock absorbers assembled with the stock springs. You'll see people using Blistein shocks (which are longer) in this and other available videos, but compressing that spring properly to fit the shorter OE/OEM version is a whole different story. My recommendations would be to take the parts to a local shop and have them assembly them for you, but if you insist on having a bad time, at least make sure you have a proper compressor. I used the Schwaben compressor with the extension (otherwise it won't compress evenly), while others claim that using two sets of compressor can do the trick too.

Do you have to replace the strut mount when replacing shocks? Dealer said mount should be replaced because the nut will be worn when it is taken out?

@kenkanfix

10 ай бұрын

hi, mine was fine when I removed it, so it didn't need replacing. I just depend on its condition before and after removal.

Is the pinch clamp bolt fully threaded? Does it have a spline? My is seized.

@kenkanfix

9 күн бұрын

hi, sorry I am not sure I understand your question, do you mean the knuckle spreader? it's not threaded

how many km on the car at the point of replacement? thanks.

@kenkanfix

2 жыл бұрын

Hi, the car had 200k KM when I did this work.

Can you give a direct link for strut, is it sport or non spirt strut?

@kenkanfix

Жыл бұрын

hi, it's best if you go to realoem.com and enter last 7 digit of your VIN to get exact part number for your car. My car does not have the adjustable shocks. The shocks that I put in my car are firmer than the standard shocks. FCP Euro is also a good place for parts. good luck.

You did not show if you replace the bump stop as the old one appear to have them?

@kenkanfix

9 ай бұрын

hi, I re-used old bump stops.

@seanc5827

5 ай бұрын

These bilstein shocks have internal bump stops. You can discard the old ones.

I find the B6 to be way too stiff on my F25 2011 X3. Just a warning to anyone considering B6 shocks.

Link for buy bilstein ??

@kenkanfix

Жыл бұрын

hi, I have the part numbers in the video description. I bought them from FCP Euro