Replacing struts

Hey all, I have replaced my front four arms, and I am replacing tierods and sway bar ends on Monday.. I have the sport package so my car is lower, and it isn't the smoothest but I was told that when struts wear out they actually get stiffer. I am also hearing them when I have the windows down and am going over rough road in the alley, so I am thinking at 132k it may be time.. they are $500 for both, and I will have to buy the strut mounts too.. has anyone here replaced theirs? When do they normally go out? Thanks!

Nobody has done any struts? Seriously?

I can't say I've seen anyone discussing replacing them on here or bmwland.co.uk i'm afriad.

Mine are still original with 135k on them. The rears are still good but in the front one is blown and the other is about to go. They aren't the easiest to replace but can be done. You will also need a spring compressor.

check TIS but you also may need to re align the front end as well.

Originally Posted by KaileSvick

Mine are still original with 135k on them. The rears are still good but in the front one is blown and the other is about to go. They aren't the easiest to replace but can be done. You will also need a spring compressor.

Thanks, why are they so difficult? I realize you need a spring compressor, but that should be the hardest part right?

I replaced them on my e38 a few years ago. The originals had 110k when I changed them. I went with bilsteins for the replacements. Work is pretty straight forward except I took off edc sport struts and put on non-edc struts.

Originally Posted by wilk187

I replaced them on my e38 a few years ago. The originals had 110k when I changed them. I went with bilsteins for the replacements. Work is pretty straight forward except I took off edc sport struts and put on non-edc struts.

I have new arms, all four, and I just replaced my sway bar end links today which were absolutely toast.. I also bought brand new tierods, for both sides, but my outters feel pretty tight.. I can turn the pass side one a little if I try hard, but can't budge the drivers side.. car feels alot better now with sway links but I still feel a thud type feeling when going over decent bumps.. Also my car is firm like a rock, I know I have the sport package, but it's bad... I can get struts for $258 each.. I am thinking I should just spend the money and go for it.. how did your car feel after you replaced yours on your e38?

Any clear cut ways to detect bad struts?

Thanks!

Autozone have them for $219.00 each and $137.00

$137.00 for the rear.

Originally Posted by Rookie2008

Autozone have them for $219.00 each and $137.00

Not for me.. 03 shows nothing.

call them 818-892-9654

Originally Posted by cmpcpro

Hey all, I have replaced my front four arms, and I am replacing tierods and sway bar ends on Monday.. I have the sport package so my car is lower, and it isn't the smoothest but I was told that when struts wear out they actually get stiffer. I am also hearing them when I have the windows down and am going over rough road in the alley, so I am thinking at 132k it may be time.. they are $500 for both, and I will have to buy the strut mounts too.. has anyone here replaced theirs? When do they normally go out? Thanks!

I replaced mine because it was floating like a boat. I went to parts geek and now it is tight like it should be any quiet like a church mouse. Check your control arms and bump stops also.

Originally Posted by tiger187

I replaced mine because it was floating like a boat. I went to parts geek and now it is tight like it should be any quiet like a church mouse. Check your control arms and bump stops also.

Thanks but all four arms are brand new and also brand new end links.. My problem is car feels like a rock going over bumps, and hard ones feel like there is a little lateral play. Basically it's tight and new when steering cornering braking etc but going over bumps I'm feeling play..

The struts from autozone are going to be junk in comparison to OEM.

Originally Posted by MOPAULY

The struts from autozone are going to be junk in comparison to OEM.

but there made by Sachs. What brand is OEM?

If you can validate they are OEM then it's a great deal - however most of what is supplied through an autozone or advance auto is a aftermarket reproduction part at a much lower quality, thus a lower price. The one thing I will not do with this car is put cheaper aftermarket parts on it - you drive an $80,000 car, it should be treated like it. Everyone wants to save money, just be clear about the quality of the parts you are replacing on the car.

Well the only reason why I suggested them is because sachs is a brand name product not a cheap autozone product. Many places that carry struts an shocks for the 7 series including parts geek sell sach shocks, Autozone seems to be the cheapest.

When you search shocks an strut for BMW 7 series 02-08 without EDC, weather 745 or 750 the brand Sachs shows up. You tell me, I mean yes you can go for more expensive KYB, Bilstein or even OEM. I was just trying to help, an didn't think Sachs was just some cheap aftermarket garbage that only auto zone carries. Hey I could be wrong about all this though cause I DO NOT have them in my car. Take a look below auto zone is not the only company who sells this replacement brand.

http://www.partsgeek.com/catalog/200..._absorber.html
http://www.**************/vehicle/2008-bmw-750/shocks/ *** For some reason link will not work*** but you can go to Drive Wire an see there.

Or he can go this route an pay$ for 1 OEM strut...
http://www.carpartsdiscount.com/auto...tml?3593=76224

Sachs is the oem strut

good thread. I've been looking at my arms and tie rods as I've got some slack in the steering when I'm 20mph +. My tie rods can be turned without much effort, but don't have lateral play. Should I not be able to turn them?

Originally Posted by cmpcpro

I have new arms, all four, and I just replaced my sway bar end links today which were absolutely toast.. I also bought brand new tierods, for both sides, but my outters feel pretty tight.. I can turn the pass side one a little if I try hard, but can't budge the drivers side.. car feels alot better now with sway links but I still feel a thud type feeling when going over decent bumps.. Also my car is firm like a rock, I know I have the sport package, but it's bad... I can get struts for $258 each.. I am thinking I should just spend the money and go for it.. how did your car feel after you replaced yours on your e38?

Any clear cut ways to detect bad struts?

Thanks!

I wouldn't expect Sachs to be cheap aftermarket stuff, that's just the way autozone usually goes...the parts are cheaper because the quality into them is less. This could be an exception or maybe a lower end part made by the same company? Would be curious to see them side by side and cut apart.