Pros and Cons for removal of the Shock spacers for bumper height 1973 E9

[pickman]

I noticed that my front end is a bit higher than the rear end in discussion with a couple forum members it is clear that there is an aluminum spacer 31331113721 on each side to meet the FMVSS bumper height requirements. It was recommended to remove this which would level front to rear. It looks very straight forward just remove the three nuts and jack the front end to lower the strut assy.

Are there pros and cons to removing this?

 

[Stevehose]

All pro, no con. You'll have to trim the bolts to compensate for the missing spacer, no big deal. Or you could put the spacer on top of the fender and not trim the bolts, but not a good look imho.

 

[m_thompson]

You might want to get the toe-in checked at an alignment shop after you lower the front.

 

[teahead]

If you're going to go through all that trouble to pop those out, might as well replace all the springs w/some CN springs.

Stance makes the car.

 

[Drew Gregg]

If you're going to go through all that trouble to pop those out, might as well replace all the springs w/some CN springs.

Stance makes the car.

Dave Kindig says 3 things his cars that go through his shop get--Stance, Color & Performance. And Coupe owners can add--Design/style.

 

[bavbob]

If you do the bolt trim, I loaded a die on each bolt, all the way down and flush, then cut the bolt with an angle grinder, then screwed the die off to set new threads where it was cut. Easier than going the other way.

 

[Ohmess]

Yes, by all means remove the spacers. When I discovered them I was so amazed that BMW would install something so clunky in their cars that I posted here to ask why.

If you find the rear is a little high after removing the front spacers, BMW used a thicker rear spring perch to level the car with the front spacers. So even with the stock springs, you can get a little lower stance by changing the spring perch. Then, as noted, you can go to the Carl Nelson springs to go even lower.

 

[pickman]

OK so do your do both sides all at once or one side per time? Remove tire?

 

[pickman]

GOT IT they are out!@

 

[Dick Steinkamp]

GOT IT they are out!@

So what was your process? I'm thinking of doing the same to my E3

 

[bavbob]

Interesting, my 72 E3 never had them. I did the above cause I bought new strut bearings that had the longer studs.

 

[Dick Steinkamp]

Interesting, my 72 E3 never had them. I did the above cause I bought new strut bearings that had the longer studs.

Bob,
What is your build date? My '72 is a very early...7/71 so it may not have them either.

 

[bavbob]

3/72

 

[HB Chris]

They are about 1/2” thick and bare aluminum so you can see them between underside of fender and the strut bearing, very visible.

 

[Dick Steinkamp]

They are about 1/2” thick and bare aluminum so you can see them between underside of fender and the strut bearing, very visible.

Thanks, Chris. I'll look tomorrow and report back.

 

[HB Chris]

Parts book say 20mm spacer added for US late in 2500/2800 series and a 12mm spacer was used on 3.0Bav, following cars had 20mm again for some reason.

 

[alprada70]

My 3.0S Bavaria 73 has that part at it is like 20 mm

 

[Dick Steinkamp]

My 72 MY, 7/71 production 3.0S Bavaria has 20mm spacers.

If I measure from my garage floor to the belt line molding, the front is 3/4" higher than the rear...that's just about 20mm. Either the rear springs have sagged out 3/4" or for some reason BMW wanted a nose high stance . According to what I learned here, it wasn't to satisfy a US bumper height requirement.

 

[Ohmess]

Pretty sure the e3 had the same change as the e9. When BMW added the front spacer, they created a US specific rear spring perch that was thicker than the Euro version (I don't have the data on the amount difference handy) so as to maintain the original rake at a higher ride height.

This was done to meet US DOT headlight height requirements.

Your car may have had the rear spring perch replaced with a Euro perch somewhere along the line which would explain why it sits funny now.

 

[pickman]

These are 20 mm thick as installed the top of the strut was level with the shock tower once removed the black rubber strut sits proud of the shock tower hole by about 20 mm. My front end measures a good inch lower and I don't have the feeling the front end is higher than the rear. As advertised it is a very simple process to remove. Thanks all for the advice!