Upgrading your BMW E36 with coilovers is a great way to improve handling, performance, and aesthetics. If you’re ready to take on the installation yourself, this step-by-step guide will walk you through the process. We’ll cover the necessary tools, preparation, and the steps to install both front and rear coilovers. Follow along carefully, and you’ll have your E36 all set in no time E36 coilovers.
Tools and Materials You’ll Need:
- Coilover kit designed for the BMW E36
- Jack and jack stands (or a hydraulic lift)
- Torque wrench
- Socket wrench set
- Breaker bar
- Spring compressor (if needed)
- Rubber mallet
- Allen keys
- Flathead screwdriver
- Measuring tape
- Anti-seize lubricant
- WD-40 or penetrating oil
- Marker or chalk
- Wheel chocks
Preparation Steps
- Park Safely: Ensure your E36 is on a flat surface. Engage the parking brake and use wheel chocks to prevent rolling.
- Loosen Lug Nuts: Before lifting the car, partially loosen the lug nuts on all four wheels using a breaker bar.
- Raise the Vehicle: Use a jack to lift the car, then support it securely with jack stands. Alternatively, use a hydraulic lift for better accessibility.
- Remove Wheels: Fully unscrew the loosened lug nuts and take off the wheels for clear access to the suspension components.
Safety Tip: Never work under an unsupported car. Double-check the placement of jack stands to ensure maximum stability.
Step 1: Remove Front Struts
- Disconnect the Sway Bar Linkage: Use a wrench to remove the nut holding the sway bar end link to the strut. If the end link spins, use an Allen key to secure it.
- Unbolt the Brake Line Bracket: Remove the bolt securing the brake line to the strut. Carefully set the brake line aside to prevent damage.
- Unbolt the Strut Mount: Inside the engine bay, locate the three nuts at the top of the strut tower and remove them using a socket wrench.
- Loosen the Bottom Strut Bolts: Remove the two large bolts connecting the bottom of the strut to the wheel hub assembly. You may need a breaker bar if these are particularly tight.
- Remove the Strut: Carefully pull the strut assembly out of the suspension housing and set it aside.
Tip: Mark the alignment of the strut bolts before removal to make reassembly easier.
Step 2: Install Front Coilovers
- Prepare the Coilovers: Ensure all components are included and pre-assemble the coilovers as instructed by the manufacturer. Adjust the initial ride height to a rough estimate for ease of fitting.
- Insert the Coilover: Place the coilover into the suspension housing. Align the top mount with the strut tower and secure it temporarily with the nuts on top.
- Attach the Bottom Bolts: Line up the bottom of the coilover with the wheel hub assembly and thread in the bolts. Tighten them to the torque specifications provided by your coilover manufacturer.
- Reconnect the Brake Line and Sway Bar Linkage: Secure these components to the coilover with their respective bolts. Double-check for proper torque and alignment.
- Tighten the Strut Mount Nuts: Go back to the engine bay and tighten the nuts on top of the coilover to the recommended torque spec.
Tip: Apply anti-seize lubricant to the bolts during reinstallation to make future adjustments or disassembly easier.
Step 3: Remove Rear Suspension Components
- Support the Rear Suspension: Use a jack to support the rear control arm to prevent it from dropping when bolts are removed.
- Unbolt the Lower Shock Mount: Use a socket wrench to remove the bolt securing the bottom of the shock absorber to the control arm.
- Remove the Upper Shock Mount Bolts: Locate the shock mount bolts in the trunk area, often under the carpet or trim. Remove these bolts to release the rear shock.
- Detach the Spring: Once the shock is removed, lower the control arm carefully to release the tension on the rear coil spring. Remove the spring using a spring compressor if it’s under tension.
Safety Tip: Be cautious when removing springs under tension—they can release energy unexpectedly.
Step 4: Install Rear Coilovers
- Install the Coilover Shock Absorber: Assemble the shock absorber as required, then position it into place. Reattach the top mount bolts in the trunk and tighten them securely.
- Secure the Bottom Mount: Align the bottom of the shock with the control arm and bolt it into place. Use a torque wrench to tighten the bolt to the manufacturer’s specifications.
- Replace the Rear Spring with the Coilover Spring (if applicable): Some coilover systems include separate rear springs. Insert the spring into the spring perch, ensuring correct orientation, and use a spring compressor if necessary. Adjust the ride height using the provided locking collars.
- Re-check Bolt Tightness: Double-check that all bolts for the rear components are tightened to the proper torque specifications.
Tip: Use a marker or chalk to mark your coilover’s adjustable locking collars, so you can easily track height changes later.
Step 5: Adjust Ride Height
- Set Initial Ride Height: With the wheels reinstalled, lower the car back onto the ground. Use a measuring tape to check the ride height from the center of the wheel to the fender edge. Adjust as necessary using the coilover collars.
- Balance Left and Right Sides: Ensure both sides of the car are level by measuring again after adjustments.
Tip: Keep the ride height realistic to avoid bottoming out or scraping the undercarriage.
Step 6: Perform an Alignment
After coilover installation, alignment is critical for proper handling and tire wear. Take your car to a professional alignment shop to adjust camber, toe, and caster angles. If your coilovers have camber adjustments, ensure these are fine-tuned for your driving needs before alignment.
Tip: For drifting, you may intentionally adjust camber and toe to suit your style, as discussed in drift-specific coilover setups.
By following these steps and considering additional adjustments for your driving style, you’ll have successfully installed coilovers on your BMW E36. Enjoy improved handling and the satisfaction of a job well done!