Cart
Checkout Secure

Call us to order a book!

1-800-551-4754

Monday-Friday 8-4:30 CST

BMW E30 Coil-Over Installation

by Robert Bowen

(Taken from BMW 3-Series (E30) Performance Guide 1982-1994 by Robert Bowen) 

Vorshlag Motorsports was kind enough to help in this installation of AST coil-overs in an E30.

comparison of shocks 

Here is a comparison of the AST adjustable shocks and spherical bearing mounts (top) and the stock rear shocks and rubber upper mounts (bottom).

 

remove the stock upper mounts, springs and insert retaining cup

1. You don’t have to remove the factory strut housings to install most brands of coil-overs. Just get rid of the stock upper mounts, springs, and insert retaining nut.

 

factory and AST strut inserts

2. This is what the factory and AST strut inserts look like. The factory one is red and does not have gas-charged internals. This is a factory-length strut, but most coil-over kits actually use a shortened strut to maximize front suspension travel.

 

remove the nut and factory insert out of the top

3. Once the nut is removed the factory insert can be taken out the top.

 

remove factory insert through original strut mounting hole

4. Pull the factory insert up through the original strut-mounting hole in the tower.

 

drop the new insert into the housing

5. Drop the new insert into the housing where the original came out of.

 

each coil over manufacturer has a different lower retaining nut

6. Each coil-over manufacturer has a different lower retaining nut/perch design. These AST coil-overs have a combined retaining nut and perch that replaces the factory nut.

 

slide on the new coil

7. Slide the new coil-over spring (in your preferred rate) to the coil-over’s lower perch.

 

install the new upper perch

8. Install the new upper perch onto the spring and prepare it for installing the upper strut mount.

 

install upper strut

9. Install the upper strut mount according to the instructions; in most cases simply by bolting it to the strut tower and tightening the strut mounting nut. Head to your favorite alignment shop to have the car aligned the way you want.

 

all coil covers maintain separate springs and shocks

10. All E30 coil-overs maintain separate springs and shocks in the rear with a threaded adapter for the rear springs. This allows you to raise and lower the rear of the car (and adjust corner weights). (Photo Courtesy Vorshlag Motorsports)


Older Post Newer Post

Added to cart!
Note our Christmas Delivery Deadlines! You must choose UPS Ground to help ensure your order arrives before Christmas. Our office will be closed on Labor Day, Sept 4. Orders placed after noon (CST) on Friday, Sept 1 won't be processed until Tuesday, Sept 5. You Have Achieved Free Shipping