How do you remove, inspect, and replace the front suspension strut on BMW Z4?

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Accepted Answer

Two new strut upper mounting nuts and a single strut-to-steering knuckle bolt fastener will be needed for the job. First free off the wheel bolts while placing the rear wheels chock, set the park brake, lift the front part of the vehicle and jack up on jackstands before removing the right wheel. To eliminate the situation when the lower arm assembly with removed strut will hang down, a wheel bolt should be inserted into the hub and the car body should be wired to it or the steering knuckle should be jacked. Pull down on the brake hose and detach the wiring harness from the clips on the bottom of the strut, then unbolt the nut and wash which attaches the stabilizer bar link to the strut, use a wrench to hold the bar link ball join in place while undoing the nut. Models with a ride height sensor-threads to remove the link bracket from the lower control arm, then remove the nut. Third, unscrew and pull out the nut which connects the suspension strut to the steering knuckle, then move the knuckle aside, this can be accompanied by the use of a large screw driver to pry the piece that holds the steering knuckle if those two cannot be pulled apart easily. From the engine compartment remove the top of the strut and next from under the wing and from the front of the car taking care to align the upper part with the lower one if there are no centering marks, turn the strut upper mounting nuts. With the strut removed clean the strut and then mount the strut vertically in a vice and place the Spring Compressor on the coil spring and compress the coil spring till no tension is applied on the spring. Take off the cap of the top of the strut to expose the upper mounting retaining nut to be loosened while holding the strut piston with some tool. Remove the mounting plate and with it the thrust bearing together with conical washer, flat washer, the upper spring plate, upper spring seat and the coil spring, the bump stop, boot and finally the lower spring seat. Inspect all parts for use and wear, and lubricate and inspect the upper mounting bearing . Check the strut for leakage; apply performance tests by compressing the piston fully and then briefly; if the resistance is giving jerky or an uneven feeling than replace it. In the eventuality where there are some concerns with the coil spring then it is recommended that the spring compressors be removed to look for signs of distortions or cracks as the case may be, and where these are found, then the coil spring needs to be changed. Check all the other components that may be adversely affected and replace them if they are questionable. Now replace the lower spring seat and the bump stop along with the boot to the strut piston; now place the coil spring in the right manner with the help of the right rubber seat in the spring. Place the upper spring seat, with the spring end positioned at the seat stop, followed by the flat washer, the conical washer - with the concave side up, and the upper mounting plate, finally, tighten the new nut of the mounting plate to the required torque. In case the damper rod turns as the nut is tightening, one may use a cut-away socket. Check that spring ends and seats are correctly positioned, and then liberate and unhook the compressor from the strut before fixing the cap in its place. Ensure some threads beneath the steering knuckle clamp for the strut are cleaned; by using a wire wheel if possible. Position the strut assembly in its proper place by the center of the pin or by the marks made earlier and fit the new upper mounting nuts. Identify the steering knuckle together with the suspension strut and then fit the retaining bolt and tighten to the specified torque, this bolt also holds the wiring or hose support bracket in place. Turn the strut upper mounting nuts to the required torque, and replace the suspension height sensor link bracket if present and fasten the nut. Screw the stabilizer bar connecting link into the strut; assure the correct positioning of this part against the lug on the strut; install the washer and new retaining nut and tighten it to the prescribed brilliance. Disconnect the hose/wiring and fold it back to the strut, then replace the wheel, lift up the car to the ground and fasten the bolts to the recommended torque limits.

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