Rear Struts

[karl1171]

I Guess you may all throw your hands up in horror and say "must change both!", but I just want to change one (damaged) side as a temporary measure.

What I need to know is are the right and left units the same/interchangeable?

My local breakers has a car which appears to have had the right hand side changed as the shock absorber looks in good condition compared with it's left side.

As you would expect its the left side that needs changing on my car! The only thing I can think which may prevent the right hand side one fitting is the position of the 3 bolts at the top of the spring mounting.

[Dave M]

Yes, stock set-ups are the same (left/right). Should work fine, go for it.

Dave M

[Dave M]

For reference, here is a realoem page for shocks on a 91 525 (http://www.realoem.com/bmw/showparts.do?model=HD53&mospid=47404&btnr=33_0534&hg=33&fg=45) showing one part #. I haven't checked your profile, but don't see specs on your car in your signature.

Someone here will eventually castrate you for not having a description of your car ;)

Dave M

[Ross]

Horror? Hell no. Smart move I say.
You, like most of us have been trained to think it's inexcusable not to replace certain components together.
Headlights for example. If a lightbulb in your home burns out do you run around replacing all the others too?

[BMWCCA1]

I'd still disassemble it enough to make sure the top mount/bushing is in good shape. See the sticky for rear shock mounts and I'll post a photo of a bad one!