Removing Z4 rear shock?

[PhantomE46]

Does anyone know how you remove the rear shocks on the Z4? I cannot get to the top mounts?? what has to be removed???

[Sean`03///Zed4]

You have to remove the stowage compartment first. You slide off the cover from the rear of the stowage compartment to unhinge the sides. You unhook the hinges off the stowage compartment. I remember after sliding off the cloth cover from the rear of the stowage compartment you reach into it and on each side are 3 plastic tabs which are to pulled up. Once these tabs are out the stowage compartment can be lifted off the hinges, but take care that the little lever which fits in the slot of the back panel does not disturb the lever which toggles the microswitch. If the microswtich lever breaks or becomes misaligned the power top may not function properly.

The hinges are built onto two arms (with the knobs to lower or raise the stowage compartment) which fits over the rear shock absorber mounts (covered by foams). To remove the arms , you need a 10 mm socket and an extension. You reach into (possibly need a flashlight)to locate two screws (one for each arm on either side). You will also need a T12 (I don't know the exact size)to unscrew two torx headed screws from the rear of these arms . They are easily viewable as soon as you open the trunk. I used a flat head scredriver and they are not very tight.
This is it. I think there may be a couple of tabs to be accounted for but once you get them out of the way you have to yank the arms out. Once the arms are out of the way you will see foams covering the top of the rear shockeys. You can remove the foam carefully or tear them off (I was careful first but after a couple of iterations, they are torn anyway).

With the foams out of the way you will see the two rear shock mount bolts. I think they are sized 13mm each, torqued to 25 NM.

PS: If you are planning to drop the springs it's a good idear to raise the car of it's load and remove the lower 18mm nut which bolts the shock to the arm, place a jack to support the load and then remove the two top bolts for the shocks. If you don't plan to lift the car up you can go ahead and remove them now. That's it pretty easy & installation is reverse of removal

[PhantomE46]

thanks for the reply. Its all done now and i have posted a thread of my coilovers fitted and new rims!

[ultra713]

hey phantom would you happen to have any pictures of you taking off the shocks? i really neeed some help.

[PhantomE46]

I didn't take any pictures but what specifically do you need to know?