DIY strut shock and spring installation writeup. (tokico kit review included)

**SecretAznSauce** · 01-28-2005, 05:30 PM

well they came in and I just had to install them and of course, Don't I always share with you guys???

here is the kit itself. <img src="http://dynamicautoworkz.com/cars/BMW%20325i/strut%20install/new%20tokico.JPG"> Old crap, as you can see both front struts were gone, and one rear shock was gone <img src="http://dynamicautoworkz.com/cars/BMW%20325i/strut%20install/old%20crap.JPG"> Tools i used were, impact wrench, 18mm wrech, 18mm socket adn 13mm socket. and a couple of other sizes here and there.Start by raising you car and properly supporting it. Please dont ask me how to do that. It took me about 1hr 45 mins to do the job, but i have air tools and really all the tools to do the job fast. If this is your first tiem and you are using hand tools, I would say set half a day aside for the job <img src="http://dynamicautoworkz.com/cars/BMW%20325i/strut%20install/compare%20springs.JPG"> Here is before drop height from gound to top of fender was 27 inches. <img src="http://dynamicautoworkz.com/cars/BMW%20325i/strut%20install/b4%20drop%20measure.JPG">

**SecretAznSauce** · 01-28-2005, 05:30 PM

After you raise the car and take off your wheel, remove the abs and brake lines from the old strut. Also remove the clip that is mounted the strut to install on the new one. <img src="http://dynamicautoworkz.com/cars/BMW%20325i/strut%20install/strut%20top%20bolt.JPG"> Then remove the 3 13mm nuts that hold the strut in place at the strut tower. <img src="http://dynamicautoworkz.com/cars/BMW%20325i/strut%20install/strut%20tower%20bolt.JPG"> Now remove the 2 18mm bolts that hold the strut to the front hub assembly pictured is one, but there is one on either side <img src="http://dynamicautoworkz.com/cars/BMW%20325i/strut%20install/strut%20bottom%20bolts.JPG"> Now remove the 18mm retaining nut and bolt that holds the mid part of the strut to the hub assembly. <img src="http://dynamicautoworkz.com/cars/BMW%20325i/strut%20install/strut%20top%20bolt.JPG"> Now you will have to press down hard on the rotor and calibar to remove the strut assembly out of the car. Now compress the spring and remove everything. You will need to keep everything and also you need to cut the bump stop in half. <img src="http://dynamicautoworkz.com/cars/BMW%20325i/strut%20install/compress%20springs.JPG">

**SecretAznSauce** · 01-28-2005, 05:31 PM

Now just reassemle the assembly. Don't forget to move the rubber pieces that the spring sit on or you will sqweak like a motel bed. Now will all you might press down on that rotor and shove that strut assembly back in place. Dont forgot the move the abs and brake lines to the right place first. Once you finally done struggling to get the assembly back in place, put you nuts back where they belong. and stick your bolts were they came from <img src="http://dynamicautoworkz.com/cars/BMW%20325i/strut%20install/new%20strut%20in.JPG"> Do I need to tell you to put you wheel back on? On to the rear. EASY part!! MAKE SURE YOUR E-BRAKE IS OFF, DOWN, NOT ENGAGED, how ever you put it.Remove the bottom shock bolt. <img src="http://dynamicautoworkz.com/cars/BMW%20325i/strut%20install/rear%20shock%20bolt.JPG"> Remove the two nuts holding the shock in at the RSM's. The rsm's are located behind the carpet, you will have to also remove the crap sound making box too The speakers come out by removing the screws under the rear deck grills <BR<img src="http://dynamicautoworkz.com/cars/BMW%20325i/strut%20install/speaker.JPG"> <img src="http://dynamicautoworkz.com/cars/BMW%20325i/strut%20install/rsm.JPG"> Now remove the shock/RSM assembly amd transfer it parts to the new shock. Remember to cut your bump stop in half. <img src="http://dynamicautoworkz.com/cars/BMW%20325i/strut%20install/shock%20assem.JPG">

**SecretAznSauce** · 01-28-2005, 05:31 PM

Now using a pry bar, or if you are super strong, Push down on your rotor or use a pry bar as in the picture. and push the arm down and remove the stock spring. <img src="http://dynamicautoworkz.com/cars/BMW%20325i/strut%20install/press%20down%20rear%20spring.JPG"> transfer the rubber pad to the new springs and reinstall <img src="http://dynamicautoworkz.com/cars/BMW%20325i/strut%20install/install%20rear%20spring.JPG"> <IMG SRC="http://dynamicautoworkz.com/cars/BMW%20325i/strut%20install/rear%20sping%20install.JPG"> Now install the rear shock assemble. Giude it back into the RSM mount <img src="http://dynamicautoworkz.com/cars/BMW%20325i/strut%20install/align%20rsm.JPG"> Now tighten your RSM nuts and shock bolt. Put your wheels back on. Run to the other side and do all that you just did again. While you have the crap sound making boxes out, you might as well upgrade to JL stealths. GO HERE FOR THE INSTALL.

http://bimmerforums.com/forum/showthread.php?t=309118

**SecretAznSauce** · 01-28-2005, 05:31 PM

Now you are all done! Before lowering the car. give everything a once over to make sure you didnt leave anything out or forget to tighten anything. My after measurement came to 25.5 inches from ground to fender. <img src="http://dynamicautoworkz.com/cars/BMW%20325i/strut%20install/after%20drop%20measure.JPG"> Now my opinions on tokico setup? for $450 bucks shipped to your door. ITS THE BEST BANG FOR THE BUCK!!! sure its not a handling king like bilstiens or konis. but they do come with lifetime warranty and the the ride is not all harsh, Short to put. it was everything I expected!.

**beatniks325** · 01-28-2005, 05:35 PM

any after pics from further away to see the drop? thanks for the pics, and review etc.

**SecretAznSauce** · 01-28-2005, 05:43 PM

done <img src="http://dynamicautoworkz.com/cars/BMW%20325i/strut%20install/car1.JPG"> REARS <img src="http://dynamicautoworkz.com/cars/BMW%20325i/strut%20install/rldrop.JPG"> FRONT <img src="http://dynamicautoworkz.com/cars/BMW%20325i/strut%20install/fldrop.JPG"> The Before <img src="http://www.we-todd-did-racing.com/wetoddimage.wtdr/wNzM1OTU5NnM0MTNkZmQzMXk1NDE%3D.jpg" height=480 width=640>

**beatniks325** · 01-28-2005, 05:59 PM

thanks for the additional pics. now you just need to update your sig pic

**torquey** · 01-28-2005, 06:30 PM

YOU are the man Eric.. car looks semi-slammed but perfect. How's the ride quality?

**amdspitfire** · 01-28-2005, 07:03 PM

where ur rsm's original? You should of gotten re/gc rsms. Also did you or will you get an allignment now?

**SecretAznSauce** · 01-28-2005, 07:05 PM

Originally Posted by amdspitfire

where ur rsm's original? You should of gotten re/gc rsms. Also did you or will you get an allignment now?

yes my rsm are old, but i forgot to order them, thats just 5 min jobber. no need for alignment

**Robstah** · 01-28-2005, 10:44 PM

nice. you up-ed my jealousy meter up another notch, not only because of the strut/shock install (my dad wasted 700 dollars on a shop to install them), but also the front bumper install. i went over 3 huge ditches on a way to a friends, and popped the glue. the bumper is still holding on by the foglights, but the sides arent held flush, and its just not pretty. what tape did you use again? looks like i need to rig mine up again.

**SecretAznSauce** · 01-28-2005, 10:49 PM

i used 3/4" 3 m tape. this is the same tape used by auto makers for moldings and such. its not cheap. the front bumper costed me 25 bucks tape. also did you drive screws in at the ends?

**Robstah** · 01-28-2005, 10:50 PM

no, but im going to tomorrow. if that tape holds, then its worth the mola. is this a home depot type tape, or a special order tape?

**SecretAznSauce** · 01-28-2005, 10:55 PM

Originally Posted by Robstah

no, but im going to tomorrow. if that tape holds, then its worth the mola. is this a home depot type tape, or a special order tape?

look up "auto body shop supply" store in smartpages.com. you can pick it up at the same place that sells automotive paint. I picked mine up at the saem place i buy paint and all my other car crap

**Robstah** · 01-28-2005, 11:00 PM

doublesided right? which one is it on here:

http://www.autobodydepot.net/scripts...?pgm=3m500.bbx

**SecretAznSauce** · 01-28-2005, 11:03 PM

Originally Posted by Robstah

doublesided right?

yes sir!!

**Robstah** · 01-28-2005, 11:07 PM

and?

**tokenasianguy69** · 01-28-2005, 11:30 PM

hey just curious where did you get your suspension for 450 and where did you get your front end?? Is it just the lip that molds to he oem bumper?or is it a completely new bumper??

**SecretAznSauce** · 01-28-2005, 11:32 PM

Originally Posted by tokenasianguy69

hey just curious where did you get your suspension for 450 and where did you get your front end?? Is it just the lip that molds to he oem bumper?or is it a completely new bumper??

i got them from JDMWERKS on ebay. as for the bumper look here

http://bimmerforums.com/forum/showth...ht=acs+replica

**hc1001** · 01-28-2005, 11:57 PM

glad u like them. congrats on the new suspension...

**Robstah** · 01-28-2005, 11:58 PM

eric, i edited my post above. check it out

**Malcolm** · 01-29-2005, 10:58 AM

Eric - Looks good! Was you original suspension the standard or sport version? How's the ride with the Tokicos? I have to deal with the crappy Houston roads every day...

**SecretAznSauce** · 01-29-2005, 11:01 AM

Wow rob, there are a lot of choices there. I dont have the box that mine came in, but the tape itself was grey, rubbery, and the part that you peel off is red. I think i used around 8 or 9 feet just for the front, but i bought a 30 yard roll cuz i had side skirts and back bumper. make sure you put tape on the sides of the bunper too

**Cwaters** · 01-29-2005, 12:09 PM

Only one question:
What the heck kinda bulb you got in that trouble light? Man... that thing must make a hella-pop when it goes...
You must do all your work with a welding mask on

Cory
link to photo I'm taling about for those too lazy to scroll back up

Thread: DIY strut shock and spring installation writeup. (tokico kit review included)

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