changing the springs

135i racer · 11-03-2008, 12:20 PM

hey guys this might be a dumb question but im trying to change my springs and get the h&r springs but do i have to change out the struts thanks

randomquickness · 11-03-2008, 12:35 PM

it is not required but many recommend it

modbargains · 11-03-2008, 12:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 135i racer

hey guys this might be a dumb question but im trying to change my springs and get the h&r springs but do i have to change out the struts thanks

The struts do not need to be changed, however as randomquickness mentioned it would be recommended. When changing to a lowering spring of any kind, with shortens the travel of the OE strut in turn shortening the life of the strut and cause pre-mature failure.

marcus · 11-03-2008, 02:25 PM

I changed my springs a few weeks ago. Lowered 1.2inches front and rear. The rear is easy. On the left side there is a little clip with a rubber piece make sure you disconnect it before pulling down to get the spring out.
The front on the other hand is a PITA. I went without any instructions. once you have the tire off you have to removed the 3 top nuts in the engine bay(leave one nut on loosely.)
Then you have to disconnect the 3 Big struts attaching to the strut/rotor assembly(you will see which ones).
Then removed the bolt attaching the strut to the rotor.
In the front there is also a a clip that you have to disconnect(it is the leveling clip for the lights).
After you have removed everything take a screw driver and pry a little in the gap where the rotor attaches to the strut it might take a little of patience(took me 2 hours for the first one).
Make sure you have a jack ready to rest the rotor assembly on cause it is heavy.
Once you have the springs changed Make sure the top part (with the 3 studs) is still able to rotate.
Then you are ready to install them, make sure you dont forget the gaskets on the struts lol.

But now that you have my 2 cents. I recommend to save up some money and get fully adjustible ones. Its well worth it.

135i racer · 11-03-2008, 02:43 PM

thanks for the info any pics on the drop you did

randomquickness · 11-03-2008, 03:54 PM

here are some pics of my drop

http://www.1addicts.com/forums/showthread.php?t=17221

BMW F22 · 11-03-2008, 05:23 PM

It's usually recommended that you change both the springs and shocks at the same time. However, if you really don't want to, you can just run springs for a while and then buy new shocks. You will have to pay again for labor though.

marcus · 11-04-2008, 12:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 135i racer

thanks for the info any pics on the drop you did

I will try to make some, but 1.2" is a perfect drop i think.

stunn2night · 11-06-2008, 09:59 PM

i would do the struts too, any pics on what ya got ?

SV Concepts III · 11-07-2008, 12:41 PM

You don't have to change out the struts, especially on such a new car Just be aware, however, that the stock struts will wear more quickly with aftermarket springs so you will have to replace them eventually. If you have the funds for new struts, I would do it at the same time as you will get better handling out of a full replacement system. With that said, if you are mainly interested in lowering the car and firming up the ride a bit, go with a set of springs- H&R is a fantastic choice.

11-03-2008, 12:20 PM	#1
135i racer Beamer Boy 7 Rep 75 Posts Drives: Soon to be M3, or M6 who knows Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Killeen Tx, Iraq iTrader: (2)	changing the springs hey guys this might be a dumb question but im trying to change my springs and get the h&r springs but do i have to change out the struts thanks
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11-03-2008, 12:35 PM	#2
randomquickness Brigadier General 219 Rep 3,668 Posts Drives: 996tt Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Georgetown, TX iTrader: (13)	it is not required but many recommend it __________________
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11-03-2008, 02:25 PM	#4
marcus First Lieutenant 15 Rep 378 Posts Drives: 2011 135i Vert Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: USA iTrader: (1)	I changed my springs a few weeks ago. Lowered 1.2inches front and rear. The rear is easy. On the left side there is a little clip with a rubber piece make sure you disconnect it before pulling down to get the spring out. The front on the other hand is a PITA. I went without any instructions. once you have the tire off you have to removed the 3 top nuts in the engine bay(leave one nut on loosely.) Then you have to disconnect the 3 Big struts attaching to the strut/rotor assembly(you will see which ones). Then removed the bolt attaching the strut to the rotor. In the front there is also a a clip that you have to disconnect(it is the leveling clip for the lights). After you have removed everything take a screw driver and pry a little in the gap where the rotor attaches to the strut it might take a little of patience(took me 2 hours for the first one). Make sure you have a jack ready to rest the rotor assembly on cause it is heavy. Once you have the springs changed Make sure the top part (with the 3 studs) is still able to rotate. Then you are ready to install them, make sure you dont forget the gaskets on the struts lol. But now that you have my 2 cents. I recommend to save up some money and get fully adjustible ones. Its well worth it. __________________
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11-03-2008, 02:43 PM	#5
135i racer Beamer Boy 7 Rep 75 Posts Drives: Soon to be M3, or M6 who knows Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Killeen Tx, Iraq iTrader: (2)	marcus thanks for the info any pics on the drop you did
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11-03-2008, 03:54 PM	#6
randomquickness Brigadier General 219 Rep 3,668 Posts Drives: 996tt Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Georgetown, TX iTrader: (13)	here are some pics of my drop http://www.1addicts.com/forums/showthread.php?t=17221 __________________
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11-03-2008, 05:23 PM	#7
BMW F22 Major General 3566 Rep 9,788 Posts Drives: ///M235i Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Bay Area iTrader: (8)	It's usually recommended that you change both the springs and shocks at the same time. However, if you really don't want to, you can just run springs for a while and then buy new shocks. You will have to pay again for labor though.
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11-06-2008, 09:59 PM	#9
stunn2night no tire gaps 2 Rep 60 Posts Drives: 135 Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: SoCal SGV iTrader: (0)	i would do the struts too, any pics on what ya got ?
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11-07-2008, 12:41 PM	#10
SV Concepts III Lieutenant General 375 Rep 17,017 Posts Drives: BMW Duh Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Santa Clara iTrader: (13)	You don't have to change out the struts, especially on such a new car Just be aware, however, that the stock struts will wear more quickly with aftermarket springs so you will have to replace them eventually. If you have the funds for new struts, I would do it at the same time as you will get better handling out of a full replacement system. With that said, if you are mainly interested in lowering the car and firming up the ride a bit, go with a set of springs- H&R is a fantastic choice.
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