2010 2011 BMW 5 Series Forum F10
BMW Garage BMW Meets Register Search Today's Posts Mark Forums Read
 

2010 2011 BMW 5 Series Forum F10 F10 Technical Topics DIY Guides & Discussions H&R Spring Install Pics and tips
Post Reply
 
Thread Tools Search this Thread
      12-27-2011, 04:53 PM   #1
hamanncheese
Private First Class
33
Rep
192
Posts

Drives: F80 M3, F15 X5
Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: Mission Viejo, CA

iTrader: (2)

H&R Spring Install Pics and tips

Here's a quick write-up from my 535i H&R Spring install. This is from memory so I'm sure I'm missing a few steps. Sorry I don't recall the socket and wrench sizes. Please use these photos for reference only and it is by no means a complete write-up.

Before pic


Front suspension


Remove sway bar link and move it out of the way


Remove lower shock bolt


Remove strut mount nuts


Remove strut by pressing down on the aluminum arm and maneuver the strut out of the control arm. You'll need a buddy for this step. This step was a bit challenging but it is possible to remove the strut without removing any additional components.


Here's the stock front strut


Swap springs by using spring compressor to compress spring. Swap spring out with H&R. Sorry no pics of this step.

Rear Suspension


Access rear shock mount nuts by removing rear speaker grills and speakers. You'll need a stubby swivel socket wrench and a torx bit.


Remove shock mount nuts


Remove lower shock mount bolt


You'll notice that the shock won't come out since many components are blocking it's way out. I found that if you remove the following components, you'll be able to remove the shock:





Swap over H&R Springs


Comparison of stock spring to H&R spring


Button everything up to Bentley torque specs and let the suspension settle for a few weeks before aligning. Will post after pics shortly. Good luck!!!

Also, if you are in so-cal and are too lazy to do the spring install yourself. PM me and I'll refer you to my buddy who helped me with the install. We knocked this out in about 3 hours.
Appreciate 2
John H.221.00
OrcaPod73.50
      12-27-2011, 05:45 PM   #2
Suthrn
Private
United_States
1
Rep
60
Posts

Drives: 2011 535i
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: Delaware

iTrader: (0)

Thanks man. Good start. If I do this or we have anyone else on here do this more pics will really help.
__________________
2011 535i (Grocery Getter)
2009 F250 PS (Toy Hauler)
2003 Regulator 26FS (Toy)
Appreciate 0
      12-27-2011, 08:45 PM   #3
XDEEDUBBX
Lieutenant Colonel
XDEEDUBBX's Avatar
64
Rep
1,715
Posts

Drives: 535I
Join Date: Mar 2009
Location: Los Angelz

iTrader: (11)

looking forward to those pics, got mine installed today but picking up my car tomorrow
Appreciate 0
      01-03-2012, 07:49 AM   #4
ausfahrt
Private First Class
32
Rep
177
Posts

Drives: 2001 325i Touring
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: misery

iTrader: (0)

Quote:
Originally Posted by hamanncheese View Post

Button everything up to Bentley torque specs
Thanks for the DIY. I've looked for a Bentley Manual for the F10 and cant find one. So what's the Torque specs for all the bolts that you removed? Or can you guide me to where you got the Bentley Manual so I may purchase it. Thanks again.
Appreciate 0
      02-04-2012, 08:02 AM   #5
JNoSol
Brigadier General
JNoSol's Avatar
United_States
1378
Rep
3,834
Posts

Drives: 750 MSPORT & E90M3
Join Date: Feb 2012
Location: Kansas City

iTrader: (0)

Great post. Can you please PM the torque spec?
Appreciate 0
      02-16-2012, 10:51 AM   #6
Alan l.
Major General
Alan l.'s Avatar
5341
Rep
8,772
Posts

Drives: 2020 F95 X5M Competition
Join Date: Jun 2009
Location: United States

iTrader: (9)

Was the install any different on the F10 than any other car? I've done my fair share of installs on various cars and they are more or less the same in every car. Seems like i'm seeing shops charge a huge premium installing springs on the F10 making me think theres something completely different about the work done or otherwise shops are just praying on those who aren't mechanically inclined hitting them with a premium BMW 5 Series tax...
__________________
Appreciate 0
      02-16-2012, 02:07 PM   #7
sanf
Second Lieutenant
21
Rep
261
Posts

Drives: F10 535XI
Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: East Coast

iTrader: (1)

haha..also there's no competition on installs over here in the East coast. So it's a premium price no matter where you go.
Appreciate 0
      02-16-2012, 04:17 PM   #8
Vinfast
Lieutenant
United_States
28
Rep
585
Posts

Drives: '14 550i M-Sport
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: Warner Robins, GA

iTrader: (2)

Depends on where you go --- my install was a bargain!!
Appreciate 0
      02-16-2012, 04:19 PM   #9
ImSW1
Private First Class
United_States
32
Rep
105
Posts

Drives: F10
Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: Sacramento, CA

iTrader: (4)

I ended up doing my own install in my drive way for the same reason. Everyone quoted 7 hours to do the work, it took me 6. I don't have a compressor, or any other fancy tools and had never even looked under my car until that day. I'm pretty decent with a wrench though. You will need a 21mm socket and a decent pry bar. The other thing is swivels to get to the bolts that are under the rear speakers. Otherwise it's a standard install using standard tools.

It was this DIY that conviced me to do my own and it basically is exactly as hamanncheese describes. My answer, they're definitely ripping us off. With airtools and a lift I probably could have cut another hour off the job pretty easily.

My biggest issue has been finding someone outside of the dealer that can do a wheel alignment. The angle sensors seem to scare most standard shops away from the work, so it went to the dealer. It's still better that chewing up and paying for replacement tires.

Sean
Appreciate 1
      02-17-2012, 10:01 AM   #10
Alan l.
Major General
Alan l.'s Avatar
5341
Rep
8,772
Posts

Drives: 2020 F95 X5M Competition
Join Date: Jun 2009
Location: United States

iTrader: (9)

I was charged 150 to install coilovers on my E90 and thats only because i was lazy to do it myself. going rate seems to be about 150-250 depending where you go for install on "regular" cars. I've seen people pay 5-6-700 on just labor on the F10 which is outrageous.

Thanks to this DIY which confirms it for me installing suspension on the F10 isn't any different than on any other car
__________________

Last edited by Alan l.; 02-19-2012 at 08:57 PM..
Appreciate 0
      02-18-2012, 06:23 PM   #11
Jimefam
Second Lieutenant
12
Rep
226
Posts

Drives: 2011 550I Msport
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: Cumming, Ga

iTrader: (0)

Nice thread. Yeah some people are getting raped with the install charges, there's a guy on another board that paid over $1400 labor to install his $500 springs. Thanks to Vinfast I paid a fraction of that.
Appreciate 0
      05-02-2012, 12:00 PM   #12
alextremo
Captain
United_States
49
Rep
966
Posts

Drives: F10 550i
Join Date: Sep 2008
Location: USA

iTrader: (5)

Just an update to this for those with EDC and IAS...

I used this write up to install my ACS springs this weekend on jackstands by myself in my garage and it was great (thanks to @hamanncheese for the write up and @ImSW1 for the tips!) A couple of differences that I noticed:

1) I did not need to remove the other suspension bits in the rear to get the strut out as shown above, I just removed the wheel well liner and it came out easily.

2) The speaker covers on the back deck just pop out using a trim removal tool - start with the front and then push up to remove.

3) I picked up a bendy wrench from HF for $10 and it made removing the strut tower bolts under the speaker a piece of cake.

4) I did need to remove the tension strut in the front to get the strut out - the extra electronics and valves on the strut body won't allow it to come out as mentioned above. To remove this I used a 24mm box end wrench and a T47 driver.

5) There is a plug leading from the strut to to a plastic housing for the electronics that you have to remove. The housing has tabs on top that you can pop open with your fingertips, the plug has a lock on the black end that you push to release and it pops right out.

6) If I had to do it again, I would probably pay a garage with a hydraulic spring compressor to swap the springs once I got them out. That was the worst part of the job, especially on the front springs...

Last edited by alextremo; 05-02-2012 at 08:12 PM..
Appreciate 2
EV8634.00
      05-05-2012, 05:27 PM   #13
Andrewe92
enthusiast
Andrewe92's Avatar
United_States
117
Rep
997
Posts

Drives: 2011 e92 lci 335xi
Join Date: Feb 2012
Location: NJ

iTrader: (0)

Garage List
Quote:
Originally Posted by Alan l. View Post
I was charged 150 to install coilovers on my E90 and thats only because i was lazy to do it myself. going rate seems to be about 150-250 depending where you go for install on "regular" cars. I've seen people pay 5-6-700 on just labor on the F10 which is outrageous.

Thanks to this DIY which confirms it for me installing suspension on the F10 isn't any different than on any other car
very true...the labor price on the install on e90s and e92s are a lot less than an f10 install
Appreciate 0
      05-11-2012, 12:29 PM   #14
Rbembas_M3
Lieutenant
Rbembas_M3's Avatar
United_States
39
Rep
494
Posts

Drives: BMW 2011 M3
Join Date: Jan 2012
Location: BUFORD GA

iTrader: (0)

Garage List
2011 BMW M3  [0.00]
I'm a first time BMW owner of a F10 535i with a 6 speed MT and I would like to know how much of a difference does it make changing the springs?
Appreciate 0
      05-15-2012, 08:45 AM   #15
Rbembas_M3
Lieutenant
Rbembas_M3's Avatar
United_States
39
Rep
494
Posts

Drives: BMW 2011 M3
Join Date: Jan 2012
Location: BUFORD GA

iTrader: (0)

Garage List
2011 BMW M3  [0.00]
Quote:
Originally Posted by hamanncheese View Post
Here's a quick write-up from my 535i H&R Spring install. This is from memory so I'm sure I'm missing a few steps. Sorry I don't recall the socket and wrench sizes. Please use these photos for reference only and it is by no means a complete write-up.

Before pic


Front suspension


Remove sway bar link and move it out of the way


Remove lower shock bolt


Remove strut mount nuts


Remove strut by pressing down on the aluminum arm and maneuver the strut out of the control arm. You'll need a buddy for this step. This step was a bit challenging but it is possible to remove the strut without removing any additional components.


Here's the stock front strut


Swap springs by using spring compressor to compress spring. Swap spring out with H&R. Sorry no pics of this step.

Rear Suspension


Access rear shock mount nuts by removing rear speaker grills and speakers. You'll need a stubby swivel socket wrench and a torx bit.


Remove shock mount nuts


Remove lower shock mount bolt


You'll notice that the shock won't come out since many components are blocking it's way out. I found that if you remove the following components, you'll be able to remove the shock:





Swap over H&R Springs


Comparison of stock spring to H&R spring


Button everything up to Bentley torque specs and let the suspension settle for a few weeks before aligning. Will post after pics shortly. Good luck!!!

Also, if you are in so-cal and are too lazy to do the spring install yourself. PM me and I'll refer you to my buddy who helped me with the install. We knocked this out in about 3 hours.


I'm a first time BMW owner of a F10 535i with a 6 speed MT and I would like to know how much of a difference does it make changing the springs?
Appreciate 0
      05-21-2012, 06:42 PM   #16
premiertuning
New Member
United Kingdom
5
Rep
22
Posts

Drives: F10 520D
Join Date: Dec 2011
Location: Halifax, UK

iTrader: (0)

I'm planning on fitting some Eibach Pro's to my UK 520D - this thread has given me the inspiration to go for it!!

Can anyone confirm the torque specs please?

And what are the angle sensors? Are they fitted to all F10's or just those with the adaptive suspension? (mine has stock suspension)
Appreciate 0
      07-13-2012, 04:21 PM   #17
saurabh_turingMS
First Lieutenant
saurabh_turingMS's Avatar
Australia
19
Rep
313
Posts

Drives: 1M AW (F10 520D MSport - gone)
Join Date: Feb 2011
Location: Sydney

iTrader: (0)

Bump for Bentley torque specs
Appreciate 0
      08-01-2012, 04:00 PM   #18
half man half amazin
Lieutenant
half man half amazin's Avatar
United_States
26
Rep
441
Posts

Drives: 2017 430 Gran Coupe
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: Las Vegas

iTrader: (0)

The shop working on mine right now has encountered the (air ride) ad self leveling connections on the strut. Any idea of how they should proceed as installation has halted while they are trying to figure this out.
__________________
Past: 2011 E92 //M3 SSII DCT
Previous: 2012 F10 550i Carbon Black M Sport
Present: 2017 430 Gran Coupe
Appreciate 0
      08-01-2012, 04:14 PM   #19
alextremo
Captain
United_States
49
Rep
966
Posts

Drives: F10 550i
Join Date: Sep 2008
Location: USA

iTrader: (5)

Just unplug them, I mentioned this in a post above.
Appreciate 0
      08-01-2012, 06:37 PM   #20
Will Pwr
eM Power Me
Will Pwr's Avatar
748
Rep
698
Posts

Drives: '23 AW i4 eDrive40 M Sport
Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: So Cali

iTrader: (2)

Garage List
Quote:
Originally Posted by half man half amazin View Post
The shop working on mine right now has encountered the (air ride) ad self leveling connections on the strut. Any idea of how they should proceed as installation has halted while they are trying to figure this out.
Follow the harness that comes from the shock to a black box on the chassis, there is a plug in connector in the box.
__________________
Will -
'23 Alpine White G26 ///i4 eDrive40 M Sport
'23 Brooklyn Grey G20 ///330e M Sport
'20 Alpine White F97 ///X3MC
'20 Alpine White F39 ///X2 M Sport X
Appreciate 0
      08-01-2012, 11:37 PM   #21
half man half amazin
Lieutenant
half man half amazin's Avatar
United_States
26
Rep
441
Posts

Drives: 2017 430 Gran Coupe
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: Las Vegas

iTrader: (0)

Cool, thanks guys.
__________________
Past: 2011 E92 //M3 SSII DCT
Previous: 2012 F10 550i Carbon Black M Sport
Present: 2017 430 Gran Coupe
Appreciate 0
      08-09-2012, 06:57 AM   #22
jande25670
Catalan
jande25670's Avatar
No_Country
0
Rep
16
Posts

Drives: 520d F10
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: Catalonia is not Spain

iTrader: (0)

Hammancheese, any after pics of your ride?

Thanks.
Appreciate 0
Post Reply

Bookmarks

Thread Tools Search this Thread
Search this Thread:

Advanced Search

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 05:44 AM.




5post
Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.11
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions Inc.
1Addicts.com, BIMMERPOST.com, E90Post.com, F30Post.com, M3Post.com, ZPost.com, 5Post.com, 6Post.com, 7Post.com, XBimmers.com logo and trademark are properties of BIMMERPOST