How to Replace the Rear Shocks on a BMW E90 (325i, 328i, 335i & More)

► If your suspension is feeling "bouncy" or "loose" it can likely be attributed to blown or worn shock absorbers. The purpose of shock absorbers is to dampen the recoil of the coil spring as your travel over dips and bumps in the road. Other symptoms of a blown shock are noise over bumps, leaks, poor handling and a harsh ride. In this video Gareth Foley takes you through the process of replacing the rear struts on your BMW E90 chassis.
Shop The Parts Used: www.fcpeuro.co...
This Part Fits the Following Vehicles:
BMW 330i
2006 BMW 330i
BMW 325i
2006 BMW 325i
BMW 325xi
2006 BMW 325xi
BMW 330xi
2006 BMW 330xi
BMW 328i
2007 BMW 328i
2007 BMW 328i
2007 BMW 328i
2007 BMW 328i
2008 BMW 328i
2008 BMW 328i
2008 BMW 328i
2009 BMW 328i
2009 BMW 328i
2010 BMW 328i
2010 BMW 328i
BMW 328xi
2007 BMW 328xi
2007 BMW 328xi
2008 BMW 328xi
2008 BMW 328xi
BMW 335i
2007 BMW 335i
2007 BMW 335i
2008 BMW 335i
2008 BMW 335i
2009 BMW 335i
2010 BMW 335i
BMW 335xi
2007 BMW 335xi
2008 BMW 335xi
BMW 328i xDrive
2009 BMW 328i xDrive
2009 BMW 328i xDrive
2010 BMW 328i xDrive
2010 BMW 328i xDrive
BMW 335i xDrive
2009 BMW 335i xDrive
2010 BMW 335i xDrive
Get free parts from FCP Euro:
www.fcpeuro.co....
Follow FCP Euro on:
/ fcpeuro
/ fcpeuro
/ fcpeuro
www.fcpeuro.com/
SUBSCRIBE: hubs.ly/H0cDnfN0
blog.fcpeuro.c...

[@fcpeuro]

Click Here To Shop the Parts Used in This Video: www.fcpeuro.com/products/bmw-shock-absorber-330i-325i-325xi-328i-335i-128i-135i-311-409?

[@opmike343]

Amazing how hard it is to find a simple, no nonsense video. Good work.

[@fcpeuro]

Thanks, opmike343, glad you liked the video!

[@brandonbentley5453]

I second that, so many videos are for hobbyists who have all afternoon to explore how to replace a part on a collector car. I'm a single dad...just get to the replacment/repair!

[@Himoutdoors]

Gareth was kind. He didn't need to take out all of that trim in the boot, as the car had split folding seats, so he just needed to access from the rear door and peel back the trim panel to access to top mount. But Gareth knew that split rear seats are a rare option in E90 BMW land, so he showed the rest of us plebs with basic spec cars how we could do the job. Thanks Gareth, you're a legend.

[@DPCPhotog]

A month after I bought my 2007 328xi wagon, the water pump died while I was driving. Being that it was a "BMW", I wasn't even thinking about attempting to fix it myself. I ended up spending $1500 to get that done. A couple of months ago my rear driver's side rotor and pad were completely grinded down to metal. Since I've replaced rotors/pads and did a brake fluid flush before, I decided to look up DIYs on KZbin. I found an FCP Euro video and sure enough, same procedure (cars are not so different after all). Last month, the starter died. Replacing the brakes myself gave me the confidence to replace the starter. I looked it up on KZbin, and doing it myself saved me hundreds! Now, I found both rear shocks are blown. After watching this video, I couldn't believe how easy it is to replace. So, moral of the story: Don't ever spend money on having a shop do it until you look it up on KZbin. Chances are someone else has done it and has a great DIY video. On a side note, I don't know how much longer I'll keep this BMW. It's been two years of ownership, and I've had more issues with it than any car I've owned.

[@florianmarembo9611]

BMW : Break My Wallet ( Luxury and comfort yet costly to maintain and very fragile 😢) I have a 2007 320 I gives me problems here ans there but I love it due to the performance and fuel efficiency and my engine still runs good ,alot of the guys always say the engine is healthy and I should sell it

[@GUSH3R]

Great video. My rear shocks just went recently and my local dealer is asking 1700 to replace both, this video just saved me.

[@fcpeuro]

Happy wrenching, Vincent!

[@emoneybagsthedon]

$1700 is insane.

[@Dom-e92]

@@emoneybagsthedonmy dealer quoted 1900

[@shogun_1991]

I wouldnt pay 170 Lol

[@jeffstensland]

AMAZINGLY easy install. Thank you, Gareth! I noticed a rattle in the rear today on my E93, bounced both sides and found my right shock failed. I'll be doing this the day your parts come in this week.

[@fcpeuro]

You're welcome, Jeff! Thank you for the support! Let us know how the install goes!

[@starkyslp16]

Thanks for this video. Just got rear shocks and mount kit from you guys, so great to have a simple video to follow! $260 all in is probably a small fraction of what the dealer would charge.

[@Newny3karrotz]

Thank you! Took me 30 mins at most for both sides after watching your video! Needed a refresher! I appreciate the upload! Be safe and much respect!

[@fcpeuro]

Glad it helped!

[@bal4cars]

Your lucky

[@markjames9434]

I'm just an 57 year old who really appreciate you guy's keeping me up to speed 😎

[@Running_To_Something]

Thanks for the awesome video. Shock was way past blown. When I removed it, fluid poured out of the shock. This video helped me replace the bad side. Will do the other side in a few days.

[@fcpeuro]

Glad the video helped out!

[@JK-cq5nc]

I watched to video on how to install new shock grommets. My old ones were completely disintegrated due to florida heat and UV light. I've ordered the parts from fcp euro, as always great customer service.

[@teamcoupe]

Watched this vid a while back and ordered the parts online when I was researching the level of difficulty. Parts came in a couple days ago and I tuned back in to this video for a refresher. Didn’t realize this video was created by the same place I bought the shocks. Win/Win. Installing today. I just hope getting the ride height correct in the rear isn’t too tricky.

[@fcpeuro]

Awesome, hope your install went well J Cooper!

[@teamcoupe]

FCP Euro it went like butter. Now I need the fronts. Don’t see a kit for the front struts. 09 BMW 328i X Drive.

[@engjds]

@@fcpeuro How do you determine the ride height?

[@clancyethans6367]

you are unbeleivable!...this gave me the confidence to do it and it was a snap and saved me a grand as well! how much more dificult are ball joints?

[@fcpeuro]

Hello Clancy, we appreciated the kind words. Glad to hear the video helped you out. The ball joints should be a relatively straightforward, please feel free to email us at [e-mail] if you have any specific questions about the install.

[@PaulReinhard]

I replaced my front shocks and the car is sitting very high. There is a space of more than 3 inches between the tire and the wheel arch. That does not seem normal to me.

[@JackRR15]

​@@PaulReinhard I'm a year late but hell. Did you replace the whole front strut assembly? The rubber on the underside of the top plates are known to degrade over time and making the front sit lower. If you did replace them then that is probably why it looks higher.

[@PaulReinhard]

@@JackRR15 Hey, thanks for replying. Everything was done correctly without the front struts replaced. Turns out the previous owner did some modifying of some sort to make the front higher for whatever reason. The old ones were beat so the car looked normal. When we changed the new ones that's when the car looked higher. So they took them off, removed whatever he put in there and it was all normal. Sorry, I don't know too much about cars so I can't really explain in detail.

[@kaelanburke2097]

@@JackRR15 hey hows life outside of e90 post bro :)

[@ADudeNamedStacie]

Amazing video, amazing parts! You just saved me over $800 my friend.

[@fcpeuro]

Glad we were able to pass on savings your way!

[@anthonytube]

Simple and perfectly filmed. Thanks mate :-)

[@efthimios]

I’m ordering all my parts from Fcp! Got my brakes already... Rear shocks look doable I’m nervous avkut doing the front struts , at least won’t be as expensive taking to Indy for fronts

[@darrengreen2571]

I am by no means a mechanic . . that said; this video gave me the confidence to do the job myself and in doing so I say nearly £200.Note for the DIY mechanic; remember to use precaution to ensure your car stays up when the wheel is off, get an axle underneath too. Remember safety 1st! That said it is an easy job, took me 1 hour per side.

[@simengineering9183]

you should have way more views man, Excellent Job!

[@timprussell]

Good video, in my case I did need to replace the lower mounts living in the rust belt in Chicago. Ordered new shocks and all new hardware from FCP. Caution when you go to replace those lower mounts. I was amazed that soaking with PB blaster and then Liquid Wrench 3 of the 4 E12 bolts came right out. Then the 4th stripped. Had to use my Dremel to cut and grind the head off, thank goodness they are aluminum. I left the shock attached to the mount and when it was almost through to the lower arm a good yank caused it to fail. Added a couple hours to the job but those mounts were shot and rust expanded. Barely got them out of the lower arm.

[@KWPS]

California car, same. 1 was a stuck, forward but/bolt and drive shaft was in the way. Brutal.

[@timprussell]

@@KWPS I decided to replace the struts and springs. The bolt you remove to allow the lower arm to lower to replace the rear spring in a video they say "Just need to use a screwdriver to line up the joint" Could not get it to align. I could get up down but not left right. Finally I used a ratchet strap, pulled the arm forward a bit and that did the trick. Another 1 bolt turns a 20 min job into a 3 hour job. The second one took 20 min including setting up the ratchet strap.

[@KWPS]

@@timprussell I finished the rears no problem. The Koni active fronts take a 22mm nut. I am having difficulty making sure I’m fighting the strut top mount nut down enough. I think I compress the spring and try and bottom out the nut on the shaft. Any thoughts?

[@timprussell]

@@KWPS I did fully assembled struts so I didn't run into any problems in the front. Didn't want to deal with spring compressors and I just went for the OEM sport suspension as I have the M sport package on my car.

[@KWPS]

@@timprussell got it. Thanks!

[@kitn.6130]

Wow you made it look so easy!!!!

[@bal4cars]

I did it and it wasnt so easy but my car is rusted

[@rv7builder397]

Very useful vid, right up to reinstalling the trunk trim. That ain't anything like real, for an '08 328i. Only way to reinstall that side trim is to remove the seat back; the side trim actually wraps around the front of the seat back trim. No way to get it back in there, with the multiple angles formed into the trim and the twists/bumps in the trunk.

[@czearfoss]

Very good, but... You really should use a deep well socket for the 17mm nut on the bottom part. I somewhat smoothed the nut on one side not realizing my regular socket was only biting a little bit. I was able to slip a box wrench in a side opening, but it was a very tight fit - Then I turned the whole strut with the 15mm wrench to get the nut loose and off. It was very rusted which I assume compounded the marginal bite the socket had. It also didn't help that it was a 12pt socket...

[@tokohawe77]

Did u torque any of the bolts?

[@ceirwan]

FT

[@younesevergreen1315]

Thank you for this usefull video. Respect from Belgium.

[@rakhunter8872]

Great video. You say "Vehicle at right height". What is that? Normal height with a tire on? How do I determine the height?

[@irv7332]

Please do a video on front struts for e90. 2011 328i xdrive specifically if you could lol

[@DodgeCity111]

How many times will you go ahead?

[@mecheng1977]

Excellent video. FYI: lemforder is the OEM for the lower shock mounts.

[@rising5128]

How tight should you Torque the bolts?

[@inspectorkev6092]

Nice vid, just saved me $1900, I did it on my own for $130

[@sarathx4]

So simple, thank you for the video.

[@smgoldenberg]

Thanks! Awesome, seems relatively easy to replace.

[@rikinendo3496]

My 6mm pin broke off. Any idea how I can still remove the shock mount?

[@nydrell1969]

Good job buddy,I did the same on an 06 325 a few yrs ago

[@NickslifeHD]

Great video as always. Amazing and perfect. Keep up the good work

[@ThunderbirdRocket]

Nice 👍🏼 ! Thanks for sharing this information / training .

[@chrisscott3001]

Great video! I like how you get straight to the point! Great audio and great camera angle!

[@paytoncat]

Do you have a video to show how to change the front struts on an 2006 BMW 325xi?

[@seanmurphy4709]

Did you ever find a good diy video on this?

[@ricolam4916]

Now DIY for for the front :)

[@kenpeterson1694]

Great video, I thank you! Question, how much time would a competent, well equipped shop allocate for this job. Thanks for your answer.

[@AllThingsG7]

Super straight forward and detailed. THANK YOU!!!!🤙🏽

[@vicb.5034]

Excellent video. To the point. Thank you

[@josephlasalle1]

what are the torque specs on the rear?

[@Dom-e92]

Shock absorber to body (replace fastener) • M10 27 Nm (19.9 ft-lb) • M14 37 Nm (27.2 ft-lb) Shock absorber to swing arm (replace fastener) 38 Nm (28 ft-lb) Road wheel to hub 120 Nm (88.5 ft-lb

[@ypcozzy]

Great video! Subscribed ✅

[@fcpeuro]

Welcome!

[@GR-oo4zj]

Excellent video and instructions, thanks homie

[@ackroyd11]

Great video

[@undergroundlegend198]

Excellent precise video,keep it up,i hereby subscribe all the way from kenya

[@fcpeuro]

Well welcome to the FCP Euro family all the way from the east coast of the United States 👋

[@duke4905]

Looks super easy. Thanks

[@johny2903]

thank you very much, excellent video!

[@MidWest2South21]

Great vid! Straight forward How To.

[@thecr85rrider]

Your videos are great man

[@nikmohdrostamniksoh4457]

it look super easy...thanks mate!

[@tjddnjs8531]

Thank you!

[@fcpeuro]

You're welcome!

[@kitn.6130]

How do you know the correct right height? 5:10 when you use the Jack to assist with the installation. How can we make sure it is install to the correct specs?

[@fcpeuro]

Hi Kit, You basically want to jack the suspension up to the point where it is compressed as if the car was on the ground, rather than drooping down. It doesn't have to be exact.

[@SP-ru3rs]

Excellent video bud.

[@domkraggp9944]

Thanks, doing this tomorrow

[@fcpeuro]

You're welcome! Let us know how it goes!

[@domkraggp9944]

Went super smooth, I chose the Sachs dampers, also replaced the diff fluid. Next up will be front dampers and the autobox fluid flush. The days of being bent over by dealerships are over. Thanks Gareth for these informative guides

[@teodormihai2244]

Do i have to do the realignment for the back wheels now after installing new shock absorbers? Thanks if you answer to me !

[@DaveInBridport]

Excellent. Looks easy-ish!

[@bal4cars]

It was easy but i made a video of what its really like lol

[@joselemos6667]

Nice video guys. I will try to replace the rear shocks into my 2006 325i this weekend and hopefully i don't run into any problem. Thanks

[@fcpeuro]

No problem. Glad the video was useful. We hope your weekend project went smoothly.

[@ceeboi2092]

jose lemos how was it? Got to change mine too, quoted $641

[@AlexPriceAP]

Thank you very much! One of mine went recently at 150.6k/12.75 years (they were dated back to when the car left the factory!). It was super useful having the peace of mind of this video to know it was as easy as it looks :)

[@sinistar7778]

best tutorial good job guys

[@jamesrichards9621]

Thank you this video helped me so much

[@parafrogman187]

Thank you for the tutorial sir!

[@fcpeuro]

You're very welcome!

[@alexmoore7178]

I’m having problems with the new shock absorber it doesn’t spring enough so I can’t get a screw in the top and bottom to lock it in place only on one end, any ideas?

[@BenAflak]

Great Job man, very helpful, thank you.

[@fcpeuro]

Glad it helped!

[@evelynem4612]

I love FCP Euro

[@fcpeuro]

We love you Evelyne!

[@ivan.e82]

Does the top piece of the upper rear shock mount sit inside the hole where the shock is or on top

[@josephabeyta4125]

I did this last week and I really tightened the bottom shock bolt a lot, until it wouldn’t go anymore. Is it possible to damage anything on the shock or mount if I overtightened it?

[@86FxBdyCpe]

Thanks guys.

[@TRKISH324]

Is this the same method for hardtop convertible?

[@fcpeuro]

The same idea! The top may add a more challenging space to work in when getting to the top mounts inside the car.

[@nebojsa1976]

I took off one of the shocks from junk yard and it says Sachs 311-409. It appears to be in great shape. When I press it, it comes back fast and strong. It has white label and it says Made in Germany. And then some type of the square label (Sachs) in top right corner. It looks like similar to Microsoft Windows label, for trademark. So, it is not blue. Does anyone know if this is original or it was purchased afterwards (it was on 330i from 2006)? It looks to be in great shape, as if it was purchased last year.

[@simplelangperorock]

amazing! thanks man

[@anthonyyoung4978]

you're the man, thanks!

[@kacperkawala]

So we guess what ride height is or is it like flush

[@collinaiken3698]

Dose these shocks fit on 09 335i, on fcp euro it says it doesn’t just need a clarification.

[@YZRandomE]

How is one supposed to counterhold and torque the upper shock mount at the same time? I see there are special strut socket bits but a 16mm one is like $40+ which seems silly.

[@davisdegarbo]

Can you skip the part where you tighten the shock at ride height and just do it when the suspension is fully uncompressed?

[@joshcatalano5127]

Hi can you help me please I tried to change the top mount on my rear shock but the shock doesn’t seem to come up enough for me to put the nut on Iv tried pulling it up but It doesn’t seem to come up anymore

[@fcpeuro]

Hi Josh, it sounds like you may need to use a floor jack to raise the entire rear arm and shock assembly up through the shock mount.

[@thefaster69]

Superb...

[@imanwan2861]

Can anyone tell me if the 335i come with 19 inch wheels, does it have the same M sport shock with 18 inch wheels?

[@uf1902]

No torque settings?

[@ross9587]

Does the BMW e87 have the same process because I've heard that they have similar rears? Any help is much appreciated.

[@Bmwguy2011]

Does anybody have an opinion on the best shocks and springs for an e91 06 (wagon)? Bilstein makes a b4 (soft) a b6 and a b12; plus Sachs is close to oem too.

[@marvinromero3890]

thanks 4 the video

[@Omari1125]

I wish my top bolt came off like that.

[@doughughes5169]

Great description, but when the bump stop needs replacement, it and the attached dust cover, 'hang' from the support cup. What type of adhesive is used to attach the metal to polyurethane (I assume) bump stop that can withstand the environment in a wheel well?

[@doughughes5169]

Update, appears the bump stop press fits into the support cup, appears the adhesive I was experiencing when taking the old one off was rust.

[@lahmah__1801]

can you use non msport shocks on a 328i? Or will it affect the system?

[@fcpeuro]

If your vehicle is equipped with sports suspension, you will want to retain the same setup for the best ride quality.

[@ocasion3051]

Are they sport struts?

[@aftabdar1924]

How do you know the vehicle is at ride height ? Before completely tightening the suspension

[@jakobbecker6435]

Use a separate Jack to raise up the control arm until it doesn’t go up anymore. Or tighten it on the ground once you let the car down

[@edgargarcia7180]

How do you know it's the right height

[@nebojsa1976]

Is there some kind of rubber at the bottom of rear shock. I see some rubber piece in mine that is totally rotten, there are holes inside. You could put finger inside.

[@bal4cars]

Those are lower mounts i replaced those in my video

[@DiscoFang]

Gotta love the grubby hands all over the trunk trim & carpet.

[@Armageddon-qo4wy]

Is this the same for a e90 320i

[@bal4cars]

yes

[@slimstylro1960]

I took a major pothole out here in New York today and the hole was on the highway so I was going about 60mph and took that pothole after that I started hearing sounds coming from my rear, I checked under the car and found out that the shocks is leaking.

[@bal4cars]

could be your bearing too and alligntment

[@slimstylro1960]

@@bal4cars it was rhe rear shock it was literally snapped in half but i replaced it and it's good now

[@montepaso]

Nice video bro, easy peasy repair squeeze the lemon :) subscribed

[@lisavietzke8636]

Help! Going nuts over e90 rear shocks. I have a 06 BMW 325i. I putchased nonsport shocks as I have no idea the difference between sport and nonsport suspension. I installed the shocks with new mounts and the top nut is sticking 2 or 3 inches out of the hole in the trunk. Grrrr. Help please before I park this e90 and go buy a brand new m3! What am I doing wrong? Sport suspension shocks? Or am I missing a mounting piece?

[@fcpeuro]

Hey Lisa, check out bimmercat.com for a diagram on the rear shocks! Sounds like you may be missing a mount or so. If you run into anything else, reach us at [e-mail] via email.

[@nikmohdrostamniksoh4457]

Hi sir, may I know why my e90 320d m-sport 2011 didn't have Bump Stop, i noticed that when I want to replace mount kit sets on my rear absorber?

[@fcpeuro]

Hello, more than likely they disintegrated and fell off, tends to happen as they age and wear out!

[@nikmohdrostamniksoh4457]

​@@fcpeuroI think you're absolutely right.. I asked the guy who worked at Bavarian Auto Parts Malaysia,he told me same like you are. thanks Sir🙏

[@nikmohdrostamniksoh4457]

​@@fcpeuroit looked how easy when you tight up upper mount nuts in trunk, in my cases when I try to install I'm not able to tight it because it seems like my absorber not enough came out for tighting it...what causes it happens?

[@Slippyx]

My shock absorber came through the rubber hat on the rear, hit a pothole wtf

[@ihsnshaik]

how many miles were on the car when u replaced those shocks?

[@fcpeuro]

About 110k I believe.

[@lHASANl]

FCP Euro How in Gods name did this E90 do almost 50,000 Km's Per year.... WTF! Great Install Tutorial.

[@danfratamico]

Is it really necessary to jack up the swing arm when installing? I was able to seat both the top and lower portions of the shock without jacking the arm.

[@fcpeuro]

In some cases, in your case it seems you were able to install the shock without having to jack it up.