I have an 04 MCS and I am planning on installing new H&R Sport Springs this Saturday. I have read some installation threads and they use a special BMW strut socket that has an opening in the side to hold the top of the shaft with an allen wrench while tightening the nut on the shaft. Has anyone done this job with a closed end wrench and allen wrench? I read the torque has to be set at 47 lbs.. The only way I can see to do that accuratly is with that socket. I'm sure it is important due to the bearing sitting just below. I would greatly appreciate any help with this. Thanks in advance!

 

I've taken it apart a few times now, and I haven't used an actual torque wrench yet.

You need to tighten it all the way down and you will feel it stop. The threads only go so far and the nut gets tightened to the end of the threads.

It does help to have either some kind of vice holding the strut, or a 2nd person. I did it by myself the 1st time, without either and it was a real pain trying to keep the strut from rotating while holding the allen key and wrench at the same time.

 

Thanks AstroBlackS, that makes me feel a lot better. I had a huge fear of getting into this install and being stuck without the right tools. Do you have any helpful tips for the job?

 

No problem.

Best tips I can give you:

As mentioned above, a vice or something/someone to hold the strut/spring assembly while taking it apart and putting it together.

-An impact gun makes taking the strut nut off quick and easy, but I wouldn't recommend it for putting the nut back on. (you don't want to smash the nut down past the threads and damage anything)

Other than that, good luck! Have fun with it!

 

AstroBlackS, I just finished installing the springs wothout any problems. I will post a picture here later. Thanks again for the help!

 

please do, i will be doing coilovers this week but need to use the tophats from the stock fronts. what tools did you use to get them off. did you use a spring compressor, or just push lean on it real well?

 

I borrowed a srping compressor but ended up just leaning over them as I had a friend remove the last few turns of the nit. The way everyone describes the danger of doing it that way is very misinformed or just hasn't done the job themselves. In my case after the nut was removed I gently released pressure and it only moved about another inch or so past the top of the shaft. I was really amazed at how easily the job went. I brought it over to Tire Kingdom for an alignment afterwards. After they had
y car for 2 hours they finly told
e they didn't have the right tools for a BMW alingnment. looks like I'm anning a trip to
ini of Orlando hopey later today. I get that picture up today. I hope the front end drops down a bit more to even out with the back. You'll see in the pic and let
e know what you think.

 

what tools did you use to get the nut off the top without and impact wrench

 

I broke the nut loose with a socket alone and the used an open end 16mm for the nut with a 5mm Allen wrench to hold the shaft steady. All of them came off real easy that way. If you need leverage for the Allen wrench, just put the long end through an open end wrench and hol it against the floor. That's how I did the final tightening on the final turn. You really don't need to use anything but your two hands for the removal.

 

sounds good. thanks so much. that will be super helpful info for me on wed when i do my coilovers.

 

Laxpimp6903, You don't need to worry about the nut on top of your strut and shock if you're going to coilivers. They generally come pre-assembled and you just replace each strut and shock as a whole unit. No disassemble of your factory units will be necessary.

 

The m7 coilovers require the use of a few parts of the stock suspension. top hats, nuts, washers etc. I got them used so the rears are fully assembled, but the fronts will need a few stock parts.

 

Oh, ok at least you don't have to take them all apart. I'd like to find some coilivers for the front, at least for now because my front end is 1/2 inch higher and it's driving me crazy. That's the only way I can see to level it out if it doesn't settle. I guess I should have splurged for the coilivers in the first place. LOL