» Site Navigation | | » Recent Threads | | 1999 M3 Swap 09-07-2023 10:10 PM 05-02-2024 08:18 PM 6 Replies, 400,121 Views | | | | | 10-15-2008, 03:34 AM | #1 | Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Philadelphia Posts: 170 | to install new struts... i recently baught some new rear struts off a memer on here. he said they fit on his with no problem and suggested i ask other members for help. the struts he gave me are about 1/2-1 inch longer then the stock ones. so when i replaced one strut to put the new one in, i couldnt raise the hatch high enough to get the strut to fit. any suggestions or people who have installed the non bmw brand struts that are longer, help would be apreaciated. | | | 10-15-2008, 04:26 AM | #2 | Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Elizabeth City, NC Posts: 3,877 | Are you replacing the stock shocks? It doesn't seem like a stock replacement should be longer than OEM shock? __________________ ~Dave~ 98 328ti Morea Grun slicktop 11 128i space gray slicktop 13 JGC WK2 Deep Cherry Search | RealOEM | | | 10-15-2008, 04:38 AM | #3 | Senior Member Join Date: May 2007 Location: LA, Bellflower, CA Posts: 3,613 | in my opinion... if it matters.... i wouldn't even use them. reason being is that it creates a possiblity of "bending" your hatch, or forcing it to "over" open. i'd rather have a 1- 1 1/2 inch short strut than a longer one. cuz then you will know for sure that the hatch isn't being pushed up over the amount of its capable design. thats just me. my .02 cents. __________________ -Theta Chi- Float like a cadilac, sting like a BIMMER .... my socket is just too thick and won't fit in the hole! damnit! Marv's 332ti is in the werks. Stay tuned ya'll ... Check list: S52 swap, manual transmission swap, 3.25 LSD with M Coupe diff cover, SuperSprint muffler, M3 style mirrors, AFE intake, ASC delete, M50 Manifold swap, UUC strut bar, ZHP lighted knob, Vaders, M-tech interior, OEM armrest, AC Schintzer front lip, AC Schnitzer rear spoiler, Roof spoiler, 18'' rims, M3 front drilled brakes, LED interior lights, 3 spoke Euro style steering wheel, OEM roof spoiler and bike holder, Thule fairing, Euro tail lights, oil pressure guage, carbon fiber hood painted to original paint (still showing CF weaving), what's next to do...? | | | 10-15-2008, 12:43 PM | #4 | Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Philadelphia Posts: 170 | Quote: Originally Posted by spidertri Are you replacing the stock shocks? It doesn't seem like a stock replacement should be longer than OEM shock? | yes im replacing the stock with non bmw struts. | | | 10-15-2008, 02:23 PM | #5 | Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Manassas, VA Posts: 4,129 | Before everyone gets their panties in a bind, these are the Strong Arm # 4784 that everyone was raving about. They fit fine on my car, I just thought they raised the hatch too high for my liking. They went on my car with no problems, not sure why he can't get them on Quote: Originally Posted by Marv17 in my opinion... if it matters.... i wouldn't even use them. reason being is that it creates a possiblity of "bending" your hatch, or forcing it to "over" open. i'd rather have a 1- 1 1/2 inch short strut than a longer one. cuz then you will know for sure that the hatch isn't being pushed up over the amount of its capable design. thats just me. my .02 cents. | __________________ 1998 (July) 318ti, 5-spd OEM Armrest Blaupunkt Heidelberg CD50 CD Player/Compact Drive MP3 Player Diamond Audio 5.25" rear speakers Navman ICN 530 GPS BMWALARM.COM (with comfort settings) after market alarm system Magnecor 8.5mm wires M-Z3 Shifter/Momo Knob Burlwood Dashboard Stromung Exhaust X-brace Racing Dynamics Front Strut Bar Carbonio C.A.I. 17" Rial Rims Vader Seats/Heated/Lumbar Support M-tech Steering Wheel/Front Sway Bar/Front & Rear Bumper Depos/w 6500K Angel Eyes/6000K HIDs Clear Corners M3 Mirrors UUC Light Weight Flywheel/M5 Clutch/M3 Clutch Slave E28 3.46 LSD/Mcoupe Cover/E30 Flanges & Halfshafts UUC S.S. Brake/Clutch Lines Hartge Roof Spoiler BavAuto Springs Bilstein Sport Struts/Shocks E46 M3 Rear Shock Mounts SPC Front Camber Kit Reiger Hatch Spoiler BavAuto Rear Camber Kit Dinan Stage II Software Turner Rear Sway Bar Reinforcements BMW E46 Auto dimming mirror with Clown Nose alarm Engine Compartment Light Heated Wiper Fluid Retrofit OEM Fire Extinguisher Da'lan Trailer Hitch Rear Sun Shade OEM Fog Light Retrofit H & R MZ3 Rear Sway Bar/ UUC Adjustable End Links Cruise Control Retrofit On Board Computer Retrofit M3 twistie style side skirts Carbon Fiber Hood | | | 10-15-2008, 05:26 PM | #6 | Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Philadelphia Posts: 170 | o im not saying they wont work or anything but by me taking off one at a time and replacing it, i cant raise the hatch high enough to get them on. to my knowledge im rasing the hatch as high as it goes, so i dont really know what else to do. | | | 10-15-2008, 05:40 PM | #7 | Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: cary, nc Posts: 2,259 | remove both shocks...get a friend to hold the hatch open or use a stick to prop it open or use one arm to hold it open while you attach one of the new shocks. if you take them off one at a time, the old shock is holding the hatch down so you cant move it up anymore __________________ 1995 318ti Active Pioneer Speakers [] Aluminum Billet door locks [] ACS Pedals/Deadrest [] ACS Shift Knob / E-Brake Handle [] Clear Corners/Tails/Sides [] Sylvania Exterior Lighting [] Custom CAI [] Dinan Engine Chip [] Dinan Transmission Chip [] H&R Race Springs [] Tokico Illumina Shocks [] BMW X-Brace [] Relocated Lighter Mod [] Custom iPod Mod http://www.cardomain.com/id/robcarync | | | 10-15-2008, 05:47 PM | #8 | Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Philadelphia Posts: 170 | thanks, thats all i needed | | | 10-15-2008, 05:52 PM | #9 | Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: cary, nc Posts: 2,259 | no problem buddy __________________ 1995 318ti Active Pioneer Speakers [] Aluminum Billet door locks [] ACS Pedals/Deadrest [] ACS Shift Knob / E-Brake Handle [] Clear Corners/Tails/Sides [] Sylvania Exterior Lighting [] Custom CAI [] Dinan Engine Chip [] Dinan Transmission Chip [] H&R Race Springs [] Tokico Illumina Shocks [] BMW X-Brace [] Relocated Lighter Mod [] Custom iPod Mod http://www.cardomain.com/id/robcarync | | | | Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests) | | Posting Rules | You may not post new threads You may not post replies You may not post attachments You may not edit your posts HTML code is Off | | | |