Back a few months ago, their was some dude on this forum that had a write up of it...i forgot who it was..

anyways...

If anyone has done it, and have a write up of it. Can ya post it please? Thanks!

I too do my own work where possible so i too am interested. thanks.

All I can say is if you don't have access to a lift, this will be difficult. A jack isn't going to give you the accessability you need to access the rear. Just warning you ahead of time.

I didn't install mine, a local shop did mine. I watched everything. I could've done it myself, I just didn't feel like putting a 3300 pound car on jackstands.

All I can say is if you don't have access to a lift, this will be difficult. A jack isn't going to give you the accessability you need to access the rear. Just warning you ahead of time.

How so? I did mine and several other cars on jack stands. The only time I had to lay down on the creeper is to loosen and tighten the rear sway. Even if you do put the car on the lift, it's not going to be lifted much higher than if it were on jack stands since that's the ideal height to be working on the suspension anyways...

It's actually not that hard of a DIY. Have a friend, familiarize yourself with the write-up/processes, and leave a good 4-5 hours or so for your first time. There isn't really any tricky parts to the install, just remeber to loosen the rear sway from the subframe. It will help with the removal of the stock rear spring. Also If you depress the clutch after the car is on jack stands, it will help drop the rear arms/shafts by a couple more inches to help with rear spring clearance. Oh yeah, torque everything down to spec just to be safe--I get lazy now and then but I really should...

I have done 3 cars so far and its pretty basic, but I have a good amount of mechanical experience. If you have some specific questions, I might be able to help. :thumbsup:

just remeber to loosen the rear sway from the subframe. It will help with the removal of the stock rear spring...

:thumbsup: Yup, the dude that installed my coilovers had a hard time with the rear. Mine was the first E46 he lowered, but he did a good job. When he disconnected the rear sway, the driver side rear wheel dropped down and tagged him in the shoulder, gave him a pretty big bruise. It took him 6 hours :D

It can be done with jackstands Bill... I did mine in my garage with jackstands... I do have air though thats a definate plus!

ha! jackpot, i found it. I remember his name SterlingM3...Thanks!

http://www.jimchambers.com/diy/pss9.aspx

Will's always there for us ;) much <3

All I can say is if you don't have access to a lift, this will be difficult. A jack isn't going to give you the accessability you need to access the rear. Just warning you ahead of time.

I didn't install mine, a local shop did mine. I watched everything. I could've done it myself, I just didn't feel like putting a 3300 pound car on jackstands.

that's not true. the rear is easier than the front. you can do all 4 corners on jackstands.

I just had to adjust a friends coilovers last night and it entailed removing the rear springs. very easily done on jackstands...

Do you need any kind of spring compressor or special tools?

I've got air, but no impact wrench/sockets for it. But for $100 I can pick up a set, and for another $30, get a 2nd set of jack stands, or just do it with 1 set, front then rear. That's still going to be cheaper then a shot will charge, and gives me the knowledge to do adjustments in the future w/o paying.

I am preparing to release a series of DIY DVDs:

Suspension install

Brakes, Alignment & Corner weighting

Suspension tuning at the track

These will be pretty damn complete including tools needed from cheapest to best, alternative techniques, wrench sizes and torque values.

Will run $75/each or all 3 for $175 w/ Brake or Suspension purchase

$100/ea or all 3 for $250 without

Dan Law
DERMotorSports@gmail.com

Do you need any kind of spring compressor or special tools?

I've got air, but no impact wrench/sockets for it. But for $100 I can pick up a set, and for another $30, get a 2nd set of jack stands, or just do it with 1 set, front then rear. That's still going to be cheaper then a shot will charge, and gives me the knowledge to do adjustments in the future w/o paying.

you need a spring compressor for the front. make sure you buy one that fits macpherson struts and can go as small as 2.25 inside diameter springs. those would be the only "special" tools you need.

Hmm, a good spring compressor isn't cheap. That's starting to get into the cost of just paying someone. I wouldn't need a spring compressor to adjust a front coilover either, so there would be no future benefit, unless I planned to get into the suspension installation business.

You can get a super cheap set at Sears for like 25-30 bucks. Its either that or spend quite a bit of change to have someone put in the coilovers for you. I went with the self install and I have a greater appreciation for my car and also how and why it drives the way it does after intsall. Plus I wanted to make adjustments after I originally put the PSS9s in and it was easy, since I already knew what I was doing.

Jack

Hmm, a good spring compressor isn't cheap. That's starting to get into the cost of just paying someone. I wouldn't need a spring compressor to adjust a front coilover either, so there would be no future benefit, unless I planned to get into the suspension installation business.

do it yourself its not that hard! and youll know the suspension afterwards.

You can get a super cheap set at Sears for like 25-30 bucks. Its either that or spend quite a bit of change to have someone put in the coilovers for you. I went with the self install and I have a greater appreciation for my car and also how and why it drives the way it does after intsall. Plus I wanted to make adjustments after I originally put the PSS9s in and it was easy, since I already knew what I was doing.

Jack

The $30 spring compressors scare me. I've seen those in use and if those things give way, watch out! I have a few local shops who deal in Euro cars only, and have done some E46 suspension installs. They get anywhere from $65-80/hr. I figure they won't charge more then 4 hrs, so even on the higher end, that's around $250-300.

But what does it really take an experieced person to swap out an E46 suspension? 2 hrs?

The $30 spring compressors scare me. I've seen those in use and if those things give way, watch out! I have a few local shops who deal in Euro cars only, and have done some E46 suspension installs. They get anywhere from $65-80/hr. I figure they won't charge more then 4 hrs, so even on the higher end, that's around $250-300.

But what does it really take an experieced person to swap out an E46 suspension? 2 hrs?

just get the compressors with the locking pins. they are like $40...

figure more like 4 hours to swap a suspension.

If you want, I will down your way for WinterFest - unfortunately NOT racing as money is tight and my new cage isn't complete yet....

I can do the install for you - AND DO IT PROPERLY - for $500. You would still need to get a corner weight and alignment witin @2 weeks afterwards. May I also suggest STRONGLY - that you get Rear Shock Mounts from TCK, Bimmerworld, GC &c prior to the installation or you WILL be sorry down the road!

As to time, it will take a minimum of 4 hours - especially since you don't have camber plates thus requiring switching out the strut hats. More like 5 to antiseize and torque everything in place and set initial ride heights.

Dan Law
DERMotorSports@gmail.com
770.631.6779