[tkong]

First off, I apologize for my lack of mechanical knowledge, this is the first time I've worked on my own car, but I'm slowly learning and thanks to all the DIY's on here, its been going pretty smoothly.

Anyways, today I finally got around to installing my dinan upper shock mount kit and z4 bump stops, which went fine (review coming up after I drive around a little more).

Since I had the wheels off and the car on jack stands, I figured I would adjust the dampening on my rear dampers to a little more stiff (I've been meaning to do so for awhile); however, after trying to unbolt the bottom 17mm nut for awhile, I realized all it was doing was spinning in place . The damper was not moving. After searching around the web, it seems like either the threads on the nut or/and the threads on the damper are ruined. If I'm going to take it to a shop to take off the nut, should I buy a extra damper and bring it with me in case the threads are ruined on the old one?

[cdgatti]

in order to loosen the nut on the bottom of the shock you need to put a wrench on the shock itself. look for the bavauto video on youtube on replacing e90 shocks, it shows where the wrench goes on the bottom of the shock to stop it from spinning.

[feuer]

Originally Posted by cdgatti

in order to loosen the nut on the bottom of the shock you need to put a wrench on the shock itself. look for the bavauto video on youtube on replacing e90 shocks, it shows where the wrench goes on the bottom of the shock to stop it from spinning.

On the Koni you need to use inbus on the bottom. Is 5mm I think.

[feuer]

Originally Posted by tkong

First off, I apologize for my lack of mechanical knowledge, this is the first time I've worked on my own car, but I'm slowly learning and thanks to all the DIY's on here, its been going pretty smoothly.

Anyways, today I finally got around to installing my dinan upper shock mount kit and z4 bump stops, which went fine (review coming up after I drive around a little more).

Since I had the wheels off and the car on jack stands, I figured I would adjust the dampening on my rear dampers to a little more stiff (I've been meaning to do so for awhile); however, after trying to unbolt the bottom 17mm nut for awhile, I realized all it was doing was spinning in place . The damper was not moving. After searching around the web, it seems like either the threads on the nut or/and the threads on the damper are ruined. If I'm going to take it to a shop to take off the nut, should I buy a extra damper and bring it with me in case the threads are ruined on the old one?

You do not have to remove the shock in order to adjust it. Just loose the top mount with the car on the ground. Use long inbus to push the shaft all the way in to lock the valve and adjust.

[tkong]

Originally Posted by feuer

On the Koni you need to use inbus on the bottom. Is 5mm I think.

I attempted to hold the strut using a hex key, but the nut still didn't move.

[feuer]

Originally Posted by tkong

I attempted to hold the strut using a hex key, but the nut still didn't move.

So basically you can't loosen up the nut. I would remove the shock by removing the bottom mount. Then place the shock on a table wise clamp. Spray some penetrating oil and break the nut loose.

[tkong]

Originally Posted by feuer

So basically you can't loosen up the nut. I would remove the shock by removing the bottom mount. Then place the shock on a table wise clamp. Spray some penetrating oil and break the nut loose.

Yea the nut will spin in its position but won't come down off the strut. I'll try doing that next.