Article by: Winston Fong
Article applies to: all E34 models.
After securely placing the car on jack stands.
Remove the rear seat by pulling up from the bottom, outside edge, with a Jerking motion.
You may have to pull very hard.
If it does not come loose move your hand more towards the center and try again.
Remove the bolts holding the rear seat back, two in the middle and at each of the sides.
Use a screwdriver for leverage to release tab by inserting in front of serrations of larger tab.
Bending it towards you a little to release, while pulling plate up with your other hand.
Pull the seat back up to release from catches. After pulling it out some release the center buckle.
Remove the small tabs and remove the package shelf.
Remove the covers from the struts then unbolt 3 bolts at the top and one outside on the bottom.
Do not unbolt the center strut bolt, that must be done using the strut compressor.
After removing strut note location of top mounting bolt and how it lines up with bottom bolt.
You can now use the strut compressor and undo the center bolt which holds spring in place.
Shock socket is being used to hold shaft.
Check that top bolt lines up as before with bottom then check spring pad alignment to spring during reassembly.
You’ll need a good pry bar to get the strut back into the control arm socket.
You may want to use a strut compressor to to make it easier to get back in also.