Trouble removing nut on rear shock rod

[ElNormo]

So I've started the replace-the-rear-springs mission. So far, I've managed to remove the rear seat bottom (easy), pry off the plastic seat belt covers (a tiny bit challenging), and lift the parcel deck a few inches to gain access to the nut at the top of the shock rod.

My problem is that the nut is stuck on there pretty good. According to this webpage you can use two wrenches, but my small crescent wrench doesn't seem to have enough grip to hold on. It loosens itself up to easily.

The problem is compounded by the fact that the rear seat back is not removed. I could not manage to remove the plastic clip holding the center seat belt recepticle. Any tips on this one? It appears to be held in with two plastic rivets, but I could not pry them out.

Thanks for any advice,

Norman

[Kalevera]

Hi Norman.

Read this: http://www.bmw4life.com/suspensionLowellFA.htm. Page 3 should help out a lot.

The shock and spring need to be removed from the car and a spring compressor needs to be installed prior to removing the top nut. I'm not sure how it was possible to lift the parcel shelf without pulling the rear seatback cushion. Four or five black plastic push pins hold in place. If the car is newer (~ > 94 or so), the rear parcel shelf is backed with a fiber/cardboard type material that bends and cracks. Older cars have a plastic fiber material that would shatter before it became otherwise compromised. This is important to investigate because a bent fiber/cardboard type rear parcel shelf will *rattle* over bumps.

And believe me, it's annoying.

The center belt recepticle is held in place with an integrated (into the seat) retaining clip. Remove the four plastic nuts and lift the bottom part of the seatback cushion towards you, then reach behind the receptical and manipulate catch to get it out of the holder.

best, whit

[ElNormo]

Read this: http://www.bmw4life.com/suspensionLowellFA.htm. Page 3 should help out a lot.

Thanks for the website! I had seen it a while ago, but had not referred to it recently. I see that you point people to remove the center bolt later, which is in line with the Bentley manual. I had been following another set of directions which were a little different...

then reach behind the receptical and manipulate catch to get it out of the holder.

So the catch will fit through the plastic trim piece, eh? I'll try that tomorrow.

Thanks again. I'm sure I'll have more questions soon...

Norman

[Kalevera]

Yes, the recepticle slides backwards out of the plastic trim.