Coil-Over Installation... - The Unofficial BMW M5 Messageboard (m5board.com)

iconoclast · 12th March 2008, 00:56

for those of you have done this, and or had it done for you... would you recommend this as a DIY or would you say go to the dealer/shop?

E55AMG2 · 12th March 2008, 01:30

It's a PITA w/o a bentley manual. It's also easier if you have a lift (vs using jack stands).

jcrist · 12th March 2008, 02:40

Quote:

Originally Posted by iconoclast

for those of you have done this, and or had it done for you... would you recommend this as a DIY or would you say go to the dealer/shop?

I think it's a DIY, but I have a lift and tons of tools!
It's really not that hard, you just need to be careful of spring tensions, if you undo a spring/shock assembly under tension, it can cause quite the bad day. In that case you would need a spring compressor. The factory assembly, if I remember correctly, will be under a fair amount. You can remove it as an assembly by taking off the supports to the wheel/hub assembly and the three bolts at the top of the strut tower.
I don't remember if the rears were under too much pressure, but you will have to take out the rear deck to get to the fasteners on top.
How handy are you, how's your tool box, and any buddies that own a garage or have a spring compressor?

jcrist · 12th March 2008, 02:43

This, and most all, operations on the car require at least a 3/8" torque wrench. If you don't already own one, this may be over your head!

SoCaLE39 · 12th March 2008, 03:04

Did mine w/o having a lift. A few jack stands and some time is all it took. Hardest part is getting the nuts on the top of the strut of the rears loose since you have to take apart your interior.

rneedham1979 · 12th March 2008, 05:26

its not to bad I put my coils in, in roughly 3-4 hours... I did have a lift and air tools. Pm me if you want to talk about it.

Ryan

iconoclast · 12th March 2008, 06:03

i do not have a lift, however i have spring compressor and all the other tools necessary... (unless bmw requires some 'specialty' units.)

E55AMG2 · 12th March 2008, 06:07

Quote:

Originally Posted by iconoclast

i do not have a lift, however i have spring compressor and all the other tools necessary... (unless bmw requires some 'specialty' units.)

a true coilover wont require a spring compressor.

jaj · 12th March 2008, 06:13

Quote:

Originally Posted by E55AMG2

a true coilover wont require a spring compressor.

What he said.

If you're going from stock to complete coil-overs like Ground Control, you don't need a spring compressor. You just take the oem assemblies out and set them aside intact. There's no need to compress them to remove them and no need to take them apart.

jcrist · 12th March 2008, 15:42

Just wanted to mention the spring tensions in case you did decide to take them apart to sell or whatever.
You may need wheel spacers, something to think about, I'm sure others will chime in on that. I had the Dinan JRZ's and they did not require any.

Quote:

Originally Posted by jcrist

I think it's a DIY, but I have a lift and tons of tools!
It's really not that hard, you just need to be careful of spring tensions, if you undo a spring/shock assembly under tension, it can cause quite the bad day. In that case you would need a spring compressor. The factory assembly, if I remember correctly, will be under a fair amount. You can remove it as an assembly by taking off the supports to the wheel/hub assembly and the three bolts at the top of the strut tower.
I don't remember if the rears were under too much pressure, but you will have to take out the rear deck to get to the fasteners on top.
How handy are you, how's your tool box, and any buddies that own a garage or have a spring compressor?