Strut Shock Absorber Replacement Front – 2012-2019 BMW 3 Series (F30)
Step 1 - Purchase Parts
Front Strut Shock Absorber
We preach here at the Repair Guide to stick with factory parts whenever possible...except in certain circumstances like shocks and struts. Bilstein has become an industry standard in premium shock absorbers - their shocks that meet or even exceed factory performance and are usually much more affordable.
Step 2 - Repair Procedure
- Remove the front wheels.
- Locate the front sway bar link (2). Remove its mounting bolts (2) then disconnect it from the front strut.
- Locate the connector housing (1) behind front wheel.
- Unplug the wheel speed sensor and clear it out of the work area.
- If vehicle is equipped with a ride height sensor, remove it from the tension strut as shown in the image.
- Unbolt the tension strut (1) from the wheel carrier.
- Grasp the tension strut and pull it out of the wheel carrier.
- Remove the left and right plastic covers inside the engine compartment so the top of the struts can be accessed.
- Remove the strut brace bolt (1) and push brace out of the work area.
- Remove the three mounting bolts that secure the upper strut mount to the body of the vehicle.
- Remove the pinch bolt (1) from the wheel carrier swivel bearing (2) as shown in the image.
- Using a steel punch, spread the swivel bearing (2) just enough so the strut can be pulled free from the wheel carrier.
- Grasp the front strut (2) and pull it free from the wheel carrier.
Important torque values:
Wheel carrier pinch bolt - 38 Nm (28 ft-lb)
Upper strut mount bolts - 30 Nm (22 ft-lb)
Tension strut nut - 170 Nm (126 ft-lb)
Wheel bolts - 122 Nm (90 ft-lb)