[teaston]

My ACS springs arrived yesterday so as there was a few hours of daylight left i thought i'd get started.

Something i found was the spring compressors i had (first picture) will not work on F30 springs! So after much faffing about trying, i gave up and went to a shop to buy some different ones, in my girlfriends car, which i had to walk 15 minutes to her work to borrow!

Anyway, once i had the right tools (second picture) it was fairly easy! The only difficult bits are getting the strut out of and back into the wheel carrier as you have to lever the clamp seat open at the same time as pushing the wheel carrier down, or pulling it up. And getting the end bolt back into the rear suspension camber arm needs a bit of faffing with raising the hub assembly with a jack.

Also i'm glad i've got two trolley jacks as the F30 doesn't appear to have a front central jacking point, and there's nowhere for axle stands to go! Maybe there is if you remove some of the underbody plastic covers but i just found it easier to jack it up both sides and place axle stands next to the jacks just in case.

I used a combination of these two guides:

http://preisliste.ac-schnitzer.de/ac...3130230310.pdf

http://f30.bimmerpost.com/forums/att...3&d=1401934841

I followed the ACS guide, but used the special tools (i used a 18mm spark plug socket with hex top instead of his bodged angle grinded socket) & torque settings & a couple of other bits from the other one, and instead of grinding a socket bit i bought one of the for the strut top nut: http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2715191901...%3AMEBIDX%3AIT

So i got one corner done then it got dark so will continue today and update then.

Update:

The other front one was very easy after getting the right tools & the knowledge gained on the first one. Rears are fairly easy except for getting the outer camber arm bolt back in! It takes a fair bit of trial and error.

So i did the front left in 4 hours including going to get the other clamps, the front right in 1 hour, rear left in 1 1/4 hours and rear right in 45 mins, so total was 7 hours. For someone with similar mechanical experience to me doing this for the first time and with the correct tools it should take around 5 hours. I could do it again right now in under 4 hours.

[KevinLevin]

Did you happen to take any pictures? I have ordered the springs in preparation of my cars arrival. It would be good to have an image or two prior to see.

At this rate of buying things, my first day of ownership will be spent pulling it apart!

[Lorcan]

Some dealers will fit them for you before delivery.

[teaston]

Originally Posted by S5Mafia

Did you happen to take any pictures? I have ordered the springs in preparation of my cars arrival. It would be good to have an image or two prior to see.

At this rate of buying things, my first day of ownership will be spent pulling it apart!

I've just updated the OP with links to the 2 guides i used which have pics in them.

[KevinLevin]

Originally Posted by Lorcan

Some dealers will fit them for you before delivery.

There's an idea. Do you know if Williams Bolton are part of that group?

[simon.]

Originally Posted by S5Mafia

There's an idea. Do you know if Williams Bolton are part of that group?

list here & yes, Williams Bolton are

http://shop.ac-schnitzer.co.uk/where-to-order-4-w.asp

[Lorcan]

Originally Posted by S5Mafia

There's an idea. Do you know if Williams Bolton are part of that group?

Yes, speak to Karl Bowker there.

[MarkG_M5Comp]

Originally Posted by teaston

My ACS springs arrived yesterday so as there was a few hours of daylight left i thought i'd get started.

Something i found was the spring compressors i had (first picture) will not work on F30 springs! So after much faffing about trying, i gave up and went to a shop to buy some different ones, in my girlfriends car, which i had to walk 15 minutes to her work to borrow!

Anyway, once i had the right tools (second picture) it was fairly easy! The only difficult bit is getting the strut out of and back into the wheel carrier as you have to lever the clamp seat open at the same time as pushing the wheel carrier down, or pulling it up.

Also i'm glad i've got two trolley jacks as the F30 doesn't appear to have a front central jacking point, and there's nowhere for axle stands to go! Maybe there is if you remove some of the underbody plastic covers but i just found it easier to jack it up both sides and place axle stands next to the jacks just in case.

I used a combination of these two guides:

http://preisliste.ac-schnitzer.de/ac...3130230310.pdf

http://f30.bimmerpost.com/forums/att...3&d=1401934841


So i got one corner done then it got dark so will continue today and update then.

[Tengocity]

Teaston, maybe just do the rears and the give it a test drive... Might dial out some understeer!

[dopper99]

Is it safe to drive without having the KDS alignment done? I think he said he is getting it done - but you've got to drive it there!! Would you notice much difference?

[Kal101]

Originally Posted by S5Mafia

There's an idea. Do you know if Williams Bolton are part of that group?

Did you try and haggle the fitment into the deal is you buy and they fit ??

[Kal101]

Am imoressed btw with your willingness and ability to do maintenance work teaston

[Lorcan]

Originally Posted by dopper99

Is it safe to drive without having the KDS alignment done? I think he said he is getting it done - but you've got to drive it there!! Would you notice much difference?

Yes it's safe. It's only a check as fitting springs doesn't alter the geometry, but worth doing just in case the car was out of alignment before the springs were fitted. BMW recommend it is done when any suspension work is done.

[teaston]

Originally Posted by Kal27

Am imoressed btw with your willingness and ability to do maintenance work teaston

Thanks, it wasn't too bad but i'm glad i'm done! Now getting the wheel alignment done.

I've updated the first post with the rest of the install.

[teaston]

Originally Posted by Lorcan

Yes it's safe. It's only a check as fitting springs doesn't alter the geometry, but worth doing just in case the car was out of alignment before the springs were fitted. BMW recommend it is done when any suspension work is done.

I found i had to loosen the inner camber arm nut to get the outer bolt back in so that has put the alignment way out, namely the rear camber & the front and rear toe in, so everything except front camber basically!

[Tengocity]

Good work! So away for a good test drive now?

[teaston]

Originally Posted by Tengocity

Good work! So away for a good test drive now?

I've got a job 20 miles away tomorrow so will get a good test then. I'll be at home cleaning under my finger nails tonight.

[Tengocity]

Originally Posted by teaston

I've got a job 20 miles away tomorrow so will get a good test then. I'll be at home cleaning under my finger nails tonight.

There's no way I'd be able resist a good test drive if I just spent 6 hours under a car!

[Nick the Greek]

Originally Posted by teaston

I've got a job 20 miles away tomorrow so will get a good test then. I'll be at home cleaning under my finger nails tonight.

A manicure for you dahling........

[teaston]

Originally Posted by Tengocity

There's no way I'd be able resist a good test drive if I just spent 6 hours under a car!

I might take the long route home from the wheel alignment!

[Tengocity]

Originally Posted by teaston

I might take the long route home from the wheel alignment!

I guess that's the ultimate sign of great drivers car... Makes you want to take the long way home!

[davyk31]

Congrats on doing the job yourself, there is something very satisfying about doing a job like that yourself.