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Repair Summary
The following article gives detailed instructions on replacing the rear shock mounts on a BMW E36 3 series car. Even though we have used a 1996 BMW M3 to perform this repair, this article can be applied to any BMW E36 3 series vehicle with minor modifications.
See all vehicles this article applies to
E36 3 Series 316i
E36 3 Series 318is
E36 3 Series M3
E36 3 Series 320i
E36 3 Series 325i
E36 3 Series 325is
E36 3 Series 323i
E36 3 Series 328i
E36 3 Series 318i
E36 3 Series 323i 2.4
E36 3 Series 325td
E36 3 Series 325tds
E36 3 Series 318tds
E36 3 Series 316i 1.6
E36 3 Series 323ti
E36 3 Series 318ti
E36 3 Series 316g
E36 3 Series 316i 1.9
A BMW E36 shock mount replacement is an easy and inexpensive way to restore the factory performance to the rear end of your car.
There are some maintenance items we tend to overlook, usually because they deal with areas of the car we don't want to mess with. Suspension maintenance is one of them. For most of us home mechanics, the diagnostic tools for suspension maintenance are our ears and eyes: a squeak as we go over a bump, a clunk as we make a turn, or the feeling the rear end of the car wants to steer the front. Unfortunately, these are all indicators that a part has already failed. A BMW E36 shock mount replacement is a simple DIY repair that should be performed regularly on your daily driver, and even more often if you drive aggressively, track your vehicle, or use aftermarket sport shocks or wide wheels. Signs that the rear shock mounts need replacing are squeaks, rattles, clunking sounds, or poor rear-end handling because of excessive deflection.
The rear shock mounts are the connection point for the rear shocks to the car's chassis. They consist of a steel sleeve surrounded by a rubber or urethane isolator that helps dampen road vibration and noise. Performance parts companies like ECS Tuning also offer polyurethane shock mounts that offer an even higher level of ride quality over stock rubber ones. For hardcore track enthusiasts and race cars, monoball rear shock mounts are highly recommended. A monoball shock mount consists of a spherical bearing shaft that allows the shock to move freely eliminating the isolator all together. These types of rear shock mounts are recommended for track and racing purposes only since they offer very little road noise and vibration dampening.
Determining the best shock mount for your car
There are several different types of rear shock mounts available depending on your budget and your style of driving. BMW E36 shock mounts can cost under $20 a pair for OEM steel and rubber units, to over $150 a pair for high-performance racing uni-ball versions. Since we track the BMW Repair Guide 1996 M3, as well as doing a lot of street driving, we decided to take the middle ground with a pair of billet aluminum rubber mounts by JT Design. These heavy-duty mounts have a CNC-machined billet aluminum base with a replaceable rubber isolator that offers superior noise and vibration dampening but can withstand the vigor of hard-driving. We have provided links below to help you make the right choice for your vehicle.
The BMW Repair Guide also recommends you always install new gaskets when replacing your shock mounts. Make sure to check your shock mount kits before ordering...many come with the gaskets included.
The BMW Repair Guide also strongly recommends adding shock mount reinforcements when replacing your BMW E36 shock mounts. The BMW E36 sheet metal supporting the rear shock mounts is notoriously thin and is susceptible to failure due to age, stress, and fatigue. BMW corrected this issue in later models by adding shock mount reinforcements; a simple steel plate that fits on top of the sheet metal allowing the stress from the mounting bolts to be more equally distributed. Not installing a pair of reinforcement plates with your new rear shock mounts is comparable to changing the dirty engine oil in your car but not replacing the filter. Adding a pair of reinforcements when replacing your rear shock mounts is good insurance against shock tower failure further down the line and is highly recommended. Once again, make sure to check your shock mount kits before ordering...many come with the reinforcement plates included.
Before starting this repair, you must have the following required parts.
BMW E46 323Ci, 325Ci, and 330Ci
The shock mount is a metal reinforced rubber attachment that connects the shock to the chassis. Replace these when installing new shocks and or when a routine inspection uncovers mount damage that causes noise, affects vehicle suspension operation, or compromises safety.
Fits all E39 Models
The shock mount is a metal reinforced rubber attachment that connects the shock to the chassis. Replace these when installing new shocks and or when a routine inspection uncovers mount damage that causes noise, affects vehicle suspension operation, or compromises safety.
Fits all E39 Models
The shock mount is a metal reinforced rubber attachment that connects the shock to the chassis. Replace these when installing new shocks and or when a routine inspection uncovers mount damage that causes noise, affects vehicle suspension operation, or compromises safety.
Fits all E39 Models
The shock mount is a metal reinforced rubber attachment that connects the shock to the chassis. Replace these when installing new shocks and or when a routine inspection uncovers mount damage that causes noise, affects vehicle suspension operation, or compromises safety.
Fits all E39 Models
The shock mount is a metal reinforced rubber attachment that connects the shock to the chassis. Replace these when installing new shocks and or when a routine inspection uncovers mount damage that causes noise, affects vehicle suspension operation, or compromises safety.
All BMW E36, E46 and Z3 vehicles.
This gasket is located between the body and shock mount. Usually worn and cracked when stock struts are removed.
BMW E36 sedans and coupes
Reinforcement plates are a simple, "bolt-on and go" solution, and are precision machined out of a heavier metal to withstand the abuse of racing and lowering. Kit includes 2 plates.
BMW E36 convertibles
Reinforcement plates are a simple, "bolt-on and go" solution, and are precision machined out of a heavier metal to withstand the abuse of racing and lowering. Kit includes 2 plates.
Section 1 - Preparing Car for a BMW E36 Shock Mount Removal
- Jack and support the rear of your vehicle using the jack stand method as shown in our article BMW Jacking and Supporting for Repairs and Maintenance. Remove the rear wheels.
- Remove the rear deck stereo speakers. Speaker removal will vary by model or whether aftermarket equipment has been installed, but most will require the interior speaker grill to be removed so access to mounting screws can be achieved. The speakers must be removed to have clear access to the rear shock mounts.
- Pull back trunk carpet and black underlay to expose top of shock mount.
Section 2 - Removing the Old BMW E36 Shock Mounts
- Using a 17mm open end wrench (or large open end wrench) and small adjustable wrench, remove upper mounting nut and cup washer from shaft.
- Using a ½” drive 13mm socket, remove the two upper mount to body nuts.
- Working from inside the wheel well, compress the shock with your hands and remove old shock mount. Make sure to remove any old gaskets attached to body.
- Clean mounting area with a rag and brake cleaner to remove any road grime before installing new shock mount.
Section 3 - Installing New BMW E36 Shock Mounts
- Install new shock mount and gasket.
- Working back inside trunk, install new shock tower reinforcements.
- Install new the new upper mount to body nuts and washers.
- Reinstall old cup washer and upper mounting nut.
- Torque all nuts to the following specifications:
BMW E36 Shock Mount Replacement Finished
