Lowering springs... Questions regarding install

N55guy · 03-28-2016, 08:08 AM

So I'm finally getting around to installing my Dinan springs and bump stops. I did coilovers on my e90 a few years back and I'm hoping I have everything I need for this install. Just a few questions for those of you who have swapped out your springs.

1. On my e90 I needed a knuckle spreader to get the front struts out, I'm guessing same tool for this?

2. Also I have a specific tool for the top strut nut that is open to allow an Allen wrench to fit as a counter. Is it the same for this car?

Any advise/tips beyond this would be much appreciated!

Uridian · 03-28-2016, 10:39 AM

I just put springs on the 228i this weekend. I left the strut in the knuckle and just swapped out the springs. I just taped up the fender with 2-3 layers of tape to make sure I didn't scratch anything.

I used an 18mm spark plug socket with a 6mm allen key through it for the top nut. To get proper torque on the nut, I made an extension for the allen key with a 6mm socket with a 1/4" > 3/8" adapter and an 8" extension. Not sure what the nut size is for the e90.

N55guy · 03-28-2016, 12:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Uridian

I just put springs on the 228i this weekend. I left the strut in the knuckle and just swapped out the springs. I just taped up the fender with 2-3 layers of tape to make sure I didn't scratch anything.

I used an 18mm spark plug socket with a 6mm allen key through it for the top nut. To get proper torque on the nut, I made an extension for the allen key with a 6mm socket with a 1/4" > 3/8" adapter and an 8" extension. Not sure what the nut size is for the e90.

Think it was 18 as well... Thanks!

Where'd you find torque specs?

Uridian · 03-28-2016, 01:25 PM

I used a guide I found for a 335i DIY, then cross-referenced all the bolts between the two to find that they are all the same. So... same bolts, same torque values.

335i DIY

*edit*
However, my 228i (and possibly your M235i) has a strut tower "bar" bolted to the top hat of the strut with a gigantic e-Torx bolt. That wasn't in the DIY and my e-Torx set doesn't go that big. Instead I used a 15mm socket and tightened it down as hard as I had to pull to loosen it.

N55guy · 03-28-2016, 01:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Uridian

I used a guide I found for a 335i DIY, then cross-referenced all the bolts between the two to find that they are all the same. So... same bolts, same torque values.

335i DIY

jmwilson125 · 03-28-2016, 02:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Uridian

I used a guide I found for a 335i DIY, then cross-referenced all the bolts between the two to find that they are all the same. So... same bolts, same torque values.

335i DIY

*edit*
However, my 228i (and possibly your M235i) has a strut tower "bar" bolted to the top hat of the strut with a gigantic e-Torx bolt. That wasn't in the DIY and my e-Torx set doesn't go that big. Instead I used a 15mm socket and tightened it down as hard as I had to pull to loosen it.

Did you find this guide pretty complete and accurate for the 2 series? Oh just saw the edit about the strut tower bar. Was that pretty much the only difference?

Uridian · 03-28-2016, 03:37 PM

Yeah, it was pretty much spot on. The only thing I did differently was load the front suspension when I re-torqued bushed joints. All the nuts and bolts were exactly the same size and location.

Kenetic · 06-13-2016, 11:29 AM

I installed springs yesterday and used a small pry bar to slightly spread the knuckle just enough to twist the strut and drop the knuckle. If you use this method dont pry to much or it supposedly degrades the strength of the knuckle.

I also found it WAY easier after disconnecting all wires to the EDC to leave the top of the strut still bolted in and pushing down on the knuckle until the strut pops out of it. It is way to hard to keep it bolted to the knuckle and push down to try and slip the top out of the strut out. I also did not have to loosen the lower control arms with this method.

Taunto · 07-02-2016, 03:13 PM

The long Bolt on the Strut to the Knuckle Needs to be replaced.. along with all bolts for the Upper Strut mount to the body, as well as the Shock nut.

Tamim3 · 04-13-2017, 04:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Taunto

The long Bolt on the Strut to the Knuckle Needs to be replaced.. along with all bolts for the Upper Strut mount to the body, as well as the Shock nut.

Why cant you reuse the old ones?

03-28-2016, 08:08 AM	#1
N55guy First Lieutenant 214 Rep 356 Posts Drives: 2014 m235i Join Date: Feb 2013 Location: Lake Elsinore, CA iTrader: (3) Garage List 2014 BMW m235i [0.00]	Lowering springs... Questions regarding install So I'm finally getting around to installing my Dinan springs and bump stops. I did coilovers on my e90 a few years back and I'm hoping I have everything I need for this install. Just a few questions for those of you who have swapped out your springs. 1. On my e90 I needed a knuckle spreader to get the front struts out, I'm guessing same tool for this? 2. Also I have a specific tool for the top strut nut that is open to allow an Allen wrench to fit as a counter. Is it the same for this car? Any advise/tips beyond this would be much appreciated!
	Appreciate 0 Tweet Quote

03-28-2016, 10:39 AM	#2
Uridian Second Lieutenant 42 Rep 268 Posts Drives: E36 M3, 228i M Sport Join Date: Jan 2014 Location: NY iTrader: (0)	I just put springs on the 228i this weekend. I left the strut in the knuckle and just swapped out the springs. I just taped up the fender with 2-3 layers of tape to make sure I didn't scratch anything. I used an 18mm spark plug socket with a 6mm allen key through it for the top nut. To get proper torque on the nut, I made an extension for the allen key with a 6mm socket with a 1/4" > 3/8" adapter and an 8" extension. Not sure what the nut size is for the e90.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

03-28-2016, 01:25 PM	#4
Uridian Second Lieutenant 42 Rep 268 Posts Drives: E36 M3, 228i M Sport Join Date: Jan 2014 Location: NY iTrader: (0)	I used a guide I found for a 335i DIY, then cross-referenced all the bolts between the two to find that they are all the same. So... same bolts, same torque values. 335i DIY edit However, my 228i (and possibly your M235i) has a strut tower "bar" bolted to the top hat of the strut with a gigantic e-Torx bolt. That wasn't in the DIY and my e-Torx set doesn't go that big. Instead I used a 15mm socket and tightened it down as hard as I had to pull to loosen it.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

03-28-2016, 03:37 PM	#7
Uridian Second Lieutenant 42 Rep 268 Posts Drives: E36 M3, 228i M Sport Join Date: Jan 2014 Location: NY iTrader: (0)	Yeah, it was pretty much spot on. The only thing I did differently was load the front suspension when I re-torqued bushed joints. All the nuts and bolts were exactly the same size and location.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

06-13-2016, 11:29 AM	#8
Kenetic Private 21 Rep 73 Posts Drives: 2016 MG M235i Join Date: Apr 2016 Location: Massachusetts iTrader: (0)	I installed springs yesterday and used a small pry bar to slightly spread the knuckle just enough to twist the strut and drop the knuckle. If you use this method dont pry to much or it supposedly degrades the strength of the knuckle. I also found it WAY easier after disconnecting all wires to the EDC to leave the top of the strut still bolted in and pushing down on the knuckle until the strut pops out of it. It is way to hard to keep it bolted to the knuckle and push down to try and slip the top out of the strut out. I also did not have to loosen the lower control arms with this method. __________________ 2016 MG M235i \| Black Kidney Grills \| MPE l H&R Springs \| IND Double Slat Front Grills \| M Performance Front Lip \| 19" VMR v710 w/ Hankook Ventus v12
	Appreciate 0 Quote

07-02-2016, 03:13 PM	#9
Taunto Car Enthusiast 282 Rep 501 Posts Drives: 2016 BMW M235 X-drive Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Regina iTrader: (0)	The long Bolt on the Strut to the Knuckle Needs to be replaced.. along with all bolts for the Upper Strut mount to the body, as well as the Shock nut.
	Appreciate 0 Quote