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02-19-2020, 07:10 PM | #1 |
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Coilover DIY?
Is there a good DIY for installing coilovers on an F10? I had a local shop quote me $2600 for install, including an alignment. I pushed back saying I had done it in 8 hours before (on a Saab Viggen) and expect less from a mechanic. Then using my VIN and All DATA labor times, they came back with 5.6 hours for the fronts (sounds high to me) and 3.4 hours for the rears (reasonable). Their labor rate is $130/Hr so now down to ~$1170 for the install + $312 for alignment (2.4 hours). I thought fronts were easier when I did them and want to understand the higher labor time. Do I need new rear top shock mounts (since it is apart) or new front top plates (to adjust alignment)?
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02-19-2020, 07:56 PM | #2 | |
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02-20-2020, 05:56 AM | #3 |
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Usually the top hats in front should be replaced when removing, unknown about rear also buy new bolts as they are self tapping. Removing the old suspension is easy I learned how to remove from youtube videos watching axle removal. All I did was loosen the top control arm from the whole carrier hub assembly push that down and work your struts out. Rears are the pain to get to the nuts just take your time.
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02-20-2020, 08:00 AM | #4 |
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my buddy and I knocked this out in a few hours when I installed my KW's. there's no YouTube videos for coilover install as I searched all over but it's basically removing struts and shocks. If your new coilovers have top hats than you won't have to reuse the OEM top hats like I did. you will need to access the rear shelf where you're speakers are with a torx bit as that's where the rear shocks bolt to up top
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02-20-2020, 08:02 AM | #5 |
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I just found out KIES has a video now
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02-20-2020, 02:08 PM | #6 | |
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02-20-2020, 03:11 PM | #7 | |
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OEM mounts for our vehicles are hard to find. OE a plenty; however, about $80, ea. I managed to buy to OEM Febi on eBay from a German diesel parts dealer out East. If I am not mistaken, it was there last two. |
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02-20-2020, 08:38 PM | #9 |
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Good video. Thank you. Did you have to remove the top control arms in the front to get the strut asm out? This was a little surprising. I just looked and on a 550 the drivers side bolt looks like the driver side ECU+ mount has to come out (two easy bolts) but removing the coolant lines to the ECU will be a pita. On the passenger side the ECU mount bolts are under other parts so looks like it needs to remove the front frame brace and then the lower intake plenum tube to barely get to the A arm bolt on the side of the strut tower (under the passenger side ECU)... Is removing the top A arm only because it was an 535iX?
How about the rear? It did not mention removing the rear sway end links, and they also removed a rear control arm to get it out? Was this your experience? One thing I learned from the video is to just buy new nuts for the top of the RSM with the mounts so if you drop one you don't have to dick around tearing the trunk apart... After asking the local shop why labor was so high on the fronts, I asked if they were including R&R the springs and top hats, blah blah blah about the simple step to remove it? I told them I would supply new mounts so I could save this labor. They said they "cross checked" against Mitchell International labor time guide and it came back with 3.4 hours front and 3.0 for the rear and the alignment went down to two hours labor. So $832 for coilover install labor and $260 for the alignment ($1092 total plus tax). Still a little more than I'd like but not too bad considering they started at $2600. They did offer a good price for the Bilstein PSS10 kit on their website for only $2030 including tax. Figured I would call another Indy BMW shop or two to confirm install labor cost and alignment costs. I think the two BMW independents in North San Diego I had checked previously were right around $250 for the alignment, but one is not open Saturdays. |
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02-20-2020, 09:18 PM | #10 | |
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FCP and ECS both show Lemforder for 520,528,535, 550i for 2011-2013. The BMW part is for all all years. So I went direct to Lemforder web catalogue and confirmed the same part number/fit was same for 2016 550i and it is. So I can get all four mounts with FCP lifetime replacement warranty for about $78... Just need to add new screws for the front and extra nuts for the rear... Parts list from realOEM (Msport suspension, not active suspension) Front BMW F10 Strut Mount - Lemforder 3497101 = bmw 31306795083 (catalog shows it fits a 2016 550i; autohauzAZ shows it fits) lemforder 4221701 for F10 LCI = bmw 31306863295 = Febi Bilstein PN 45552 self tapping screws for strut mount: 31306795151 Rear BMW F10 Shock Mount - Lemforder 3492701= bmw 33506775735 (shows it fits) Lemforder 4221601 for F10 LCI =bmw 33506863299 locking nuts for RSM: 07119905374 Lock Nut for top of front/rear strut shaft: 32216769539 Last edited by Luky; 02-20-2020 at 11:16 PM.. |
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02-21-2020, 12:15 AM | #11 | |
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These mounts can be easily stripped. The torque on the mounting bolts are 28 Nm or 20.65 ft lbs. Don't forget the bolts. There is an updated torx version. |
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02-21-2020, 12:21 AM | #12 | |
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https://www.autodoc.co.uk/car-parts/oem/31306863295 Unfortunately, many of the OEM parts listed above are difficult to acquire CONUS. My purchase was made from https://www.idparts.com via eBay. Bought two for about $75, shipped. Also, RockAuto sells SACHS 803293 replacement mounts; however, OUT OF STOCK. . Last edited by John H.; 02-21-2020 at 12:47 AM.. Reason: Added info. |
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02-21-2020, 06:58 AM | #13 |
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The speed academy video makes it look relatively straight forward, I have to say. I've been toying the idea with DIY installing mine but I'm undecided. Prices are all over in my area. I've found a really good price at a very highly regarded shop for around CAD$800 for install and CAD$400 for corner balance and alignment but the shop is a real hike from me. I do a LOT of DIY, but my personal luck wrenching on my F10 just doesn't seem as good as when I worked on E90, E39 and E46s. Or I'm getting old and clumsy.
I have already sourced mounts for all four corners and updated bolts for the front. I might add nuts for the rear to an upcoming order. KWv3s and all of these parts are ready to go for when spring hits. As soon as it's PS4S weather again I'll be looking at getting this done. |
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02-21-2020, 12:11 PM | #14 |
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Thank you, will do. I have a 2012 F10 with 81k miles, going to be putting H&R springs in within the next month. Was wondering if you knew which parts I should change while i have the struts out... Already changing the strut mounts and the bolts/nuts associated with them. So upper and lower spring pads, bump stops for the front and rear, and also was wondering which nuts/bolts in the strut assembly I should also replace. Thank you!
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02-21-2020, 04:33 PM | #15 | |
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I did try to salvage my old mounts from the strut bar install; however, two have failed on my torque re-check (after 50-60 miles of driving after install).The aluminum material of mount is soft. It sucks but will replace both sides with new mounts. Next week, I will be installing the newly received mounts. Along with that, I will be installing new strut mount bolts, top bolts (strut), and upper spring pads. I'm considering the lower pad and dust cover. . Last edited by John H.; 02-21-2020 at 04:35 PM.. Reason: Added info. |
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02-21-2020, 04:44 PM | #16 | |
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02-21-2020, 05:52 PM | #17 | |
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Shocks/struts should be replaced by 80k-100k miles but most people don't. They are just used to the crappy way the car handles as these parts deteriorate very slowly... If you add H&R springs it will wear out stock suspension even faster so you may as well replace it. Buy (good quality) once, cry once... |
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02-21-2020, 06:03 PM | #18 | |
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02-21-2020, 08:03 PM | #19 | |
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02-21-2020, 09:09 PM | #20 |
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Good point. The OE struts are pretty pricey for the xDrive. Last I checked, they are about 3 bills, ea. Other than KWs, I was unable to find an OEM replacement for the fronts. Consdering my mileage, I too must consider replacement. Must research more on OEM struts for xDrive.
KWs will set you back about 2k. In the past year or so, I've only seen one set (xDrive specific) for sale in the Member's Classified. Not certain what it sold for. JFYI, The xDrive front strut forks are unique, as one fork curves out. Also, strut mounts are not included with KWs for xDrive. From DIY videos, installers are transferring the mounts. . Last edited by John H.; 02-21-2020 at 09:13 PM.. Reason: Added info. |
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02-21-2020, 09:42 PM | #21 |
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My guy quoted me 500 bucks, lol and I am still gonna do it myself.
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02-22-2020, 08:19 AM | #22 |
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On brands - Lemforder will be the same as the part with the BMW logo on it. I bought Lemforder through either ECS or FCP, whichever was cheaper at the time.
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