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thanks!

I found a couple other writeups, but that one was very helpful. I think I'll grab some new RSMs to toss on there since I'll have em out anyway.

Re: sedan... does that make it easier or harder? 330i

Too lazy to go grab my Bentley's, but I did find this for you. Looks like just pulling the insulation out of the way is all that is required for access. The pics show a coupe, however, and I do not see any speakers nearby.

Suspension work
'03 525i Sapphire Blu/Grey, SP, Nav
'02 325it Orient Blu./Grey, SP, Nav
'98 323is Arctic Sil./Blk, SP
'95 M3 Cosmos Blk./Blk

sedan? = easier

sedan... does that make it easier or harder? 330i

================================================== =======

Michael G. vH

1999 528it
1994 325i (sold)

About those shocks

The lower shock mounts are almost the easiest job you can do on a car, but the uppers. . . I have done the shocks on an E46 touring and it's a remarkable amount of disassembly to reach the upper shock mounts. I have also done shocks on E36 coupes and that is also a fair amount of fiddling up there. Why must BMW put loudspeakers in the way of all rear shock mounts? Anyway, if you don't have the Bentley manual for this model yet, someone here or another board can probably give you some hints on attacking the upper mounts on an E46 (coupe is it?).
'03 525i Sapphire Blu/Grey, SP, Nav
'02 325it Orient Blu./Grey, SP, Nav
'98 323is Arctic Sil./Blk, SP
'95 M3 Cosmos Blk./Blk

got a floor jack + home made ramps...

there are no "trunk jack holes"?
place your jack stand "V" s at the side sill jacking PADS
at the 4 locations along the side rocker
sills.
Missing the 4-plastic pads that snap into holes in
the sills? then cut some 2x4 blocks of wood to
place between the jack stand "V" and the hole
location in the side sills where the plastic pads should be.

"Can I lower it down to rest on the springs
with the shocks out? = yes

I've got a floor jack and home made ramps...

since the car is too low to get the jack under without the car up a little bit.
I gather it's a very simple process to get them off and on again. I was thinking about bringing it to the shop, but figure I'll do it at home now. I can take care of some of the other little things I've been meaning to get to while it's out of commission. Slow leak in Therm housing... etc.

Do you have any tips on jack stand positioning? The slight V of the top of the jack stand doesn't always sit so well in the OEM trunk jack holes.
I didn't know about the Trailing arm option.=========================================== ==============

Michael G. vH

1999 528it
1994 325i (sold)

Re: another noob DIY question...

It can sit on jack stands as long as you need, and regardless of whether the stands are under the jack points or the trailing arms. A hydraulic floor jack makes all of this pretty easy with or without wheels or shocks installed. You can just raise the hub by the rotor to get the lower shock mount aligned for attachment. Are you trying to do this with the OEM jack?
'03 525i Sapphire Blu/Grey, SP, Nav
'02 325it Orient Blu./Grey, SP, Nav
'98 323is Arctic Sil./Blk, SP
'95 M3 Cosmos Blk./Blk

another noob DIY question...

I need to send my rear shocks back to Bilstein for remanufacturing. I am confident I can get them out. It's a 2-week turnaround with shipping from ME to CA, though and I'd prefer not to have my car sit on jack stands that long.
Can I lower it down to rest on the springs with the shocks out or will I damage something?
Now that I think about it... it might be tough to get the wheels back on without the shocks holding the rear end up. And if I can... then it will be tough to raise the car later to reinstall with the the weight of the tires wanting to pull everything down again...
I guess the better question is...
Is it bad to leave a car on Jack stands for 2 weeks?

Thanks.=========================================== ==============

Michael G. vH

1999 528it
1994 325i (sold)