E34 Rear shock replacement

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Wattage - 17 Apr 2006 16:00 GMT

My E34 has about 129k, I replaced the front Struts at 100k but my
mechanic said he rarely replaces the rear. I think there is some noise
(squeeking) coming from the rear right. Any adivise on when to change
these shocks, or what type would be helpful, thx..

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Mike G - 17 Apr 2006 22:44 GMT

> My E34 has about 129k, I replaced the front Struts at 100k but my
> mechanic said he rarely replaces the rear. I think there is some noise
> (squeeking) coming from the rear right. Any adivise on when to change
> these shocks, or what type would be helpful, thx..

Strange question. Usually shocks are replaced when they leak or become
inneficient, not at a particular mileage.
A squeeking one would suggest that it needs replacing, if it does, in the
interests of safety, both rear shocks should be changed, not just the the
one that squeeks.

As for type. Depends on what you want to pay.
I recently paid under £40 each for the Boge gas rear shocks on my E34. They
seem fine, and better than the originals they replaced, but then those had
done quite a high mileage. It remains to be seen how long the new ones last.
Mike.

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Enoch Root - 18 Apr 2006 01:43 GMT

>> My E34 has about 129k, I replaced the front Struts at 100k but my
>> mechanic said he rarely replaces the rear. I think there is some noise
[quoted text clipped - 12 lines]
> done quite a high mileage. It remains to be seen how long the new ones last.
> Mike.

http://www.bmwe34.net/e34main/maintenance/suspension/rear_shocks.htm

My mechanic did the same thing. The front shock was leaking, so both
fronts were replaced. I should have also done the rear shock at the same
time. The main pain with this is labor. Buy the shocks at bmaparts.com
or rockauto.com. The shocks range from boge, which are good for regular
road travel- to BILSTEIN, which are for heavy duty turning or sport-like
racing.

I should have replaced all 4 shocks/struts at the time. Now the back end
is a bit lower than the front and it a little "squishy" on turns in the
rear. We're both in the same boat- except for the squeaking.

Here is a thread about your problem.

http://www.bimmer.info/forum/showthread.php?t=20987

Jist is you can go cheap and just replace the collar nut. Or if you find
the car is uneven or squishy, replace the struts. Good luck.

ER

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Enoch Root - 18 Apr 2006 01:58 GMT

>>> My E34 has about 129k, I replaced the front Struts at 100k but my
>>> mechanic said he rarely replaces the rear. I think there is some noise
[quoted text clipped - 34 lines]
>
> ER

Sorry, I meant tighten the nut. No need to replace unless it's broken.

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SharkmanBMW - 18 Apr 2006 02:30 GMT

excellent links in that post.
best place for e34 info.

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