Rear shock support bearing srtipped, ideas?

beeyar · 02-12-2018, 08:38 PM

Hi,

When I was trying to take off my rear shocks the special hex key that inserts into the top hat stripped the top bearing. Does anyone know if this part is a separate piece that could be purchased and replaced or do i have to replace the whole shock @@.

tpliquid · 02-12-2018, 08:52 PM

Replace whole shock

Whistlefist · 02-13-2018, 06:00 AM

That's the top of the shock shaft. If you are replacing them, the easiest way to get that nut off is to zip it off with an impact gun. If you aren't replacing them, or that is the new one, then it is completely fine to leave like that until the next time you need to service/replace them.

I certainly wouldn't go replacing the shock for something like that.

cfm56d7b · 02-13-2018, 10:11 AM

Do you still have to remove the rear shock and cannot?

beeyar · 02-13-2018, 03:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Whistlefist

That's the top of the shock shaft. If you are replacing them, the easiest way to get that nut off is to zip it off with an impact gun. If you aren't replacing them, or that is the new one, then it is completely fine to leave like that until the next time you need to service/replace them.

I certainly wouldn't go replacing the shock for something like that.

Oh, thank god! You just made me feel 10x better

That's what I was hoping, I could just buy that top hat part from the dealership and JBweld the key into the socket and twist it open after it dried, or like you said use power tools to twist that sucker off. Do you know if that special star socket is a separate piece that I can order from the dealership? I will go to the dealership to ask tomorrow too.

The shock is already on the car and the reason why I was trying to twist off the top hat was because I was trying to replace the stock bump stops, but since I wasn't even able to twist off the cap and the star socket got stripped I just didn't bother replacing them. But it still makes me feel better if I can get that stipped socket fixed and put on my Dinan bump stops

beeyar · 02-13-2018, 03:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cfm56d7b

Do you still have to remove the rear shock and cannot?

Well, the shock is still on the car, but I was trying to remove the top hat to replace the OEM bump stops but the star socket got stripped so I'm still running with OEM bump stop (which is fine, but i would prefer to put on my Dinan ones). Also, I was hoping this is a separate part I can just buy and use a power tool to remove the stripped part and replace it. What do you think?

Whistlefist · 02-14-2018, 05:49 AM

It is part of the shock, it isn't part of the top hat. So in order to fix the stripped area, you would need a new shock. If you have access, an impact gun would take that off no problem.

This keyed area at the top is only there to keep the shock shaft from spinning when you remove the nut that holds the top hat onto the shock, it serves no other purpose.

If you don't have an impact gun or access to one, an old leather belt wrapped around the shock shaft below the top nut with some vise grips might be able to keep the shaft from spinning so you can remove the nut. DO NOT put vise grips directly on the shock shaft, or any other tools that could mar the shaft at all. The shaft needs to be smooth in order for the seals to continue to work. As soon as there is a mark, nick or rough area on the shaft, the seals will start to compromise and eventually leak.

Starting around the 1:30m mark you can see exactly what I am talking about:

beeyar · 02-14-2018, 01:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Whistlefist

It is part of the shock, it isn't part of the top hat. So in order to fix the stripped area, you would need a new shock. If you have access, an impact gun would take that off no problem.

This keyed area at the top is only there to keep the shock shaft from spinning when you remove the nut that holds the top hat onto the shock, it serves no other purpose.

If you don't have an impact gun or access to one, an old leather belt wrapped around the shock shaft below the top nut with some vise grips might be able to keep the shaft from spinning so you can remove the nut. DO NOT put vise grips directly on the shock shaft, or any other tools that could mar the shaft at all. The shaft needs to be smooth in order for the seals to continue to work. As soon as there is a mark, nick or rough area on the shaft, the seals will start to compromise and eventually leak.

Starting around the 1:30m mark you can see exactly what I am talking about:

Thanks for the detail explanation! I will try that this weekend. Also, do you know how many lbs of torque to torque back the nut after I replace it?

Whistlefist · 02-15-2018, 06:03 AM

I do not know the proper torque specs, sorry. I usually just go by the german method of "gutentight."

B58 parts · 02-19-2018, 08:57 PM

Torque specs are all here ... https://www.newtis.info/tisv2/a/en/

You can bust it loose with an impact but to tighten it, you'll need the pass thru socket/wrench, or this one if you want to use your torque wrench on it https://www.ecstuning.com/News/Schwa...22mm_24mm_Kit/

They even sell a kit .. that has those, spring compressors, the spindle spreader. Also need an e torx set, and a pass thru socket / wrench. Special tools ... usually worth it ..

02-12-2018, 08:38 PM	#1
beeyar Private 16 Rep 89 Posts Drives: BMW 335i MSports 6speed M/T Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Lake Forest, CA iTrader: (1)	Rear shock support bearing srtipped, ideas? Hi, When I was trying to take off my rear shocks the special hex key that inserts into the top hat stripped the top bearing. Does anyone know if this part is a separate piece that could be purchased and replaced or do i have to replace the whole shock @@.
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02-12-2018, 08:52 PM	#2
tpliquid Second Lieutenant 95 Rep 228 Posts Drives: f31 330i wagon Join Date: Nov 2017 Location: anaheim iTrader: (1)	Replace whole shock
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02-13-2018, 06:00 AM	#3
Whistlefist Enlisted Member 27 Rep 36 Posts Drives: 2014 335i Msport Join Date: Mar 2017 Location: Cranberry Township, PA iTrader: (0)	That's the top of the shock shaft. If you are replacing them, the easiest way to get that nut off is to zip it off with an impact gun. If you aren't replacing them, or that is the new one, then it is completely fine to leave like that until the next time you need to service/replace them. I certainly wouldn't go replacing the shock for something like that.
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02-13-2018, 10:11 AM	#4
cfm56d7b Lieutenant General 5913 Rep 10,286 Posts Drives: 2017 440i Gran Coupe & 2015 X5 Join Date: Nov 2012 Location: Orange County, CA iTrader: (2)	Do you still have to remove the rear shock and cannot?
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02-14-2018, 05:49 AM	#7
Whistlefist Enlisted Member 27 Rep 36 Posts Drives: 2014 335i Msport Join Date: Mar 2017 Location: Cranberry Township, PA iTrader: (0)	It is part of the shock, it isn't part of the top hat. So in order to fix the stripped area, you would need a new shock. If you have access, an impact gun would take that off no problem. This keyed area at the top is only there to keep the shock shaft from spinning when you remove the nut that holds the top hat onto the shock, it serves no other purpose. If you don't have an impact gun or access to one, an old leather belt wrapped around the shock shaft below the top nut with some vise grips might be able to keep the shaft from spinning so you can remove the nut. DO NOT put vise grips directly on the shock shaft, or any other tools that could mar the shaft at all. The shaft needs to be smooth in order for the seals to continue to work. As soon as there is a mark, nick or rough area on the shaft, the seals will start to compromise and eventually leak. Starting around the 1:30m mark you can see exactly what I am talking about:
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02-15-2018, 06:03 AM	#9
Whistlefist Enlisted Member 27 Rep 36 Posts Drives: 2014 335i Msport Join Date: Mar 2017 Location: Cranberry Township, PA iTrader: (0)	I do not know the proper torque specs, sorry. I usually just go by the german method of "gutentight."
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02-19-2018, 08:57 PM	#10
B58 parts Captain 483 Rep 799 Posts Drives: '17 340ix 6MT Join Date: Nov 2017 Location: US iTrader: (0)	Torque specs are all here ... https://www.newtis.info/tisv2/a/en/ You can bust it loose with an impact but to tighten it, you'll need the pass thru socket/wrench, or this one if you want to use your torque wrench on it https://www.ecstuning.com/News/Schwa...22mm_24mm_Kit/ They even sell a kit .. that has those, spring compressors, the spindle spreader. Also need an e torx set, and a pass thru socket / wrench. Special tools ... usually worth it ..
	Appreciate 1 beeyar16.00 Quote