BMW X3 Rear Shock Replacement DIY (2004-2010 BMW E83 X3 3.0i)

►Your BMW E83 X3's rear shocks will last about 80,000 miles before you should replace them. All that mileage will have worn down the inside and its ability to control the bump and ruts in the road, leading to a floaty, unsettled feeling. Replacing your X3's shocks yourself is the best way to restore your rear suspension to new and save some money, and can easily be done in your driveway or your garage.
In this video, Mike Hidalgo, FCP Euro's Professional DIY'er, tackles a BMW E83 X3 rear shock replacement.
00:00 - Intro & Tools Needed
01:53 - BMW E83 Rear Shock Assembly
05:41 - BMW E83 Front Wheel & Brake Component Removal
06:43 - BMW E83 Rear Spring Removal
09:40 - BMW E83 Rear Spring Install
11:15 - BMW E83 Rear Shock Replacement
24:50 - Wrap-up
Shop the products used in this video:
BMW E83 Rear Shock Kit: www.fcpeuro.com/products/clon...
BMW E83 Rear Spring: www.fcpeuro.com/products/bmw-...
BMW E83 Rear Rear Sway Bar Link: www.fcpeuro.com/products/bmw-...
This video applies to the following vehicles:
BMW X3
2004 BMW X3 Shock Absorber Kit
Position: Rear, w/ standard suspension
2005 BMW X3 Shock Absorber Kit
Position: Rear, w/ standard suspension
2006 BMW X3 Shock Absorber Kit
Position: Rear, w/ standard suspension
2007 BMW X3 Shock Absorber Kit
Position: Rear, w/ standard suspension
2008 BMW X3 Shock Absorber Kit
Position: Rear, w/ standard suspension
2009 BMW X3 Shock Absorber Kit
Position: Rear, w/ standard suspension
2010 BMW X3 Shock Absorber Kit
Position: Rear, w/ standard suspension
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[@stepheno9569]

I did this very unsafely solo using a bottle jack. Listen to the man and just have a friend help.

[@larslarsson2056]

Excellent start to finish instruction. Tips for inside trim reassembly _appreciated. Thank you

[@petritdemo3699]

How to replace a moonroof on e83,, that will be a great help for all e83 owners

[@garymaclean5535]

Excellent video, very clear and concise

[@mikelarry2403]

What size bolt was that for the lower shock mount

[@Thom-in1lr]

After replacing both rear coils on our 2007 E83 two months ago, we noticed that both rear wheels are splayed outward a bit (at the bottom). During a 3-day trip soon thereafter, the left rear wheel splayed out a bit more than the right under load with luggage and gear for the three of us. As we're going back into both rears to install new shocks and adjust our new parking brake hardware next few days, what should we look for in regards to correcting the wheel splaying?

[@fcpeuro]

Hi Thom, the shocks will most likely correct the camber you are seeing in the rear wheels. Aside from that, you will want to check the bushings for any tears or cracks. An alignment will also help dial in the rear. We had the same issue on this X3, but the broken spring was the main cause for our poor camber. Once we did this DIY and got it aligned, everything was sitting proper.

[@Thom-in1lr]

@@fcpeuro Many thanks for this reply...excellent...will do as you suggest re shocks and alignment. By the way, I just completed installing the FCP water pump / thermostat kit and followed your excellent video on that one. Certainly a challenge however do-able by going slowly and carefully ... most of the bleeding was done by the new electric pump (only a little bit of human bleeding, as you said the space is very tight ;)

[@Thom-in1lr]

Many thanks again Mike; our father-son X3 rear shock project went very well per your excellent video. Switching topics to cv axles, we're doing both front cv axles, hubs and bearings on our 07 X3 E83 and cv axles, links and shocks on the rear. The question is cv axle nut torque: there is quite a range of opinions on KZbin as well as bimmer forums about the correct axle nut torque, from 200 Nm to 310 foot pounds. 310 foot pounds is above the max range of most torque wrenches and would seem to be excessive. There is good agreement however that the final torque should be done on the ground. We trust FCP and would appreciate your views on cv axle nut torque, front and rear (this might be a great opportunity for an FCP video on cv axles and wheel bearings for first gen X3s). Lastly, if you do such a video, it may be helpful to many to point out that not all wheel bearings marketed for the X3 include the magnetic encoder; thus many folks have probably been disappointed for completing their DIY only to discover that their ABS/DTC systems are non-op (the $20 magnetic card reader takes the guesswork out of deciding which side of a bearing should sit near the knuckle sensor). Cheers!

[@jeffs4585]

The D-pillar is at the liftgate. C-pillar is behind the rear doors 😀

[@fcpeuro]

Yes, thank you!

[@michaelhope00]

Que estupidez de BMW company poner tanto tornillo innecesario ...