Leaking OEM EDC shocks??

NLYFANSX3M · 03-19-2023, 06:01 PM

Hey guys, got my car lowered, and after only about 1000 miles my front passenger shock is pissing oil out of it. Do you think this is a installer error, or does this happen? (has electronic adjustment for firmness)

H&R lowering springs are what was installed, Vehicle itself has 32k miles, and only 1k miles since lowered. Leak was small maybe 3/4 days ago then got very bad in the past 2 days.

Any input if this has ever happened, as im hoping to have the shop that installed cover it. Looked at rears and appears they are slightly leaking too.

Thanks!

dmanb2b · 03-19-2023, 07:28 PM

It's very unlikely that install error is causing shock to leak, unless errors were present upon completion. Lowering springs tend to accelerate shock wear although plenty run them. Highly doubt any shop would replace the strut as a warranty claim.

spucktacular · 03-19-2023, 07:40 PM

No it doesn't happen... the EDC (electronic damper control) should never loose fluid, ever. The lowering could have exacerbated pressure on the dampers, leading them to premature failure.

With all due respect, since I see a lot of people lowering SUVs and I just don't get it but to each their own. However, you must realize that BMW engineers designed the geometry and usable range of those units for a specific ride height and weight load, by lowering the chassis, you are compressing the dampers and reducing their operating range.. which by extension increases the physical forces on each unit. Its a little odd to have multiple ones fail concurrently, but if you dropped it to the floor and then decided to do some spirited driving over shitty roads.. at low temperatures, on a 3 year old car.. its very possible that some gaskets could have failed.

Can I just why you found that a worthwhile upgrade? Was it for looks? You know they make a M3 wagon.

dmanb2b · 03-19-2023, 10:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by spucktacular

You know they make a M3 wagon.

The G81 is unfortunately not available in North America.

spucktacular · 03-19-2023, 10:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dmanb2b

The G81 is unfortunately not available in North America.

Fair enough, but they do sell the awesome RS6 wagon, as well as the E63 AMG 4Matic wagon... bEASTS in their own right.

dmanb2b · 03-19-2023, 10:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by spucktacular

Fair enough, but they do sell the awesome RS6 wagon, as well as the E63 AMG 4Matic wagon... bEASTS in their own right.

Indeed! My boss has the RS6, sick car, but he's in a loaner more than his car. Been a real lemon. I really want a G81 this side of the pond..lol

spucktacular · 03-19-2023, 10:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dmanb2b

Indeed! My boss has the RS6, sick car, but he's in a loaner more than his car. Been a real lemon. I really want a G81 this side of the pond..lol

I'm really upset BMW didn't put 6 pots on our cars... 2080KG curb, while the G81 is like 1850sh, real bummer.. but, don't worry, they'll bring it over for 2025, i'm sure of it.

danniexi · 03-20-2023, 08:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by spucktacular

Fair enough, but they do sell the awesome RS6 wagon, as well as the E63 AMG 4Matic wagon... bEASTS in their own right.

but cost 50% more than the F97.

lagunablue1 · 03-20-2023, 05:18 PM

OP this seems likely to be some sort of install error. There have been hundreds of members who have posted with their X3Ms lowered on MSS/H&R/Eibach without issue. Yes any lowering spring on stock struts will cause a slightly reduce lifespan of the strut, but it shouldn't blow that quickly at such low mileage unless it was an install error or an existing issue

Where is the leak coming from in the strut? I would guess the shop must have damaged the seal when compressing the springs and torqueing down the tophat.

NLYFANSX3M · 03-21-2023, 10:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lagunablue1

OP this seems likely to be some sort of install error. There have been hundreds of members who have posted with their X3Ms lowered on MSS/H&R/Eibach without issue. Yes any lowering spring on stock struts will cause a slightly reduce lifespan of the strut, but it shouldn't blow that quickly at such low mileage unless it was an install error or an existing issue

Where is the leak coming from in the strut? I would guess the shop must have damaged the seal when compressing the springs and torqueing down the tophat.

Kinda my thought. Looking into this, shows if they let the shock shaft spin that causes damage.

kzg1969 · 03-22-2023, 07:50 AM

i have heard of some garages using mole / vice grips to hold the damper rod to remove the top nut....however, would imagine all would be leaking if they did that?

Scottycs19 · 03-22-2023, 10:18 AM

Ive done this and never had a issue.

Quote:

Originally Posted by kzg1969

i have heard of some garages using mole / vice grips to hold the damper rod to remove the top nut....however, would imagine all would be leaking if they did that?

03-19-2023, 06:01 PM	#1
NLYFANSX3M Enlisted Member 49 Rep 38 Posts Drives: 2020 X3M Join Date: Jan 2023 Location: Northern VA iTrader: (0)	Leaking OEM EDC shocks?? Hey guys, got my car lowered, and after only about 1000 miles my front passenger shock is pissing oil out of it. Do you think this is a installer error, or does this happen? (has electronic adjustment for firmness) H&R lowering springs are what was installed, Vehicle itself has 32k miles, and only 1k miles since lowered. Leak was small maybe 3/4 days ago then got very bad in the past 2 days. Any input if this has ever happened, as im hoping to have the shop that installed cover it. Looked at rears and appears they are slightly leaking too. Thanks!
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03-19-2023, 07:28 PM	#2
dmanb2b Banned 2125 Rep 3,368 Posts Drives: G07, F97, F30, E90, E46, E30 Join Date: Jul 2016 Location: NY iTrader: (5)	It's very unlikely that install error is causing shock to leak, unless errors were present upon completion. Lowering springs tend to accelerate shock wear although plenty run them. Highly doubt any shop would replace the strut as a warranty claim.
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03-19-2023, 07:40 PM	#3
spucktacular First Lieutenant 349 Rep 328 Posts Drives: BMW Join Date: Feb 2017 Location: Canada iTrader: (0) Garage List 2020 BMW X4M [0.00] 2021 GLC [0.00]	No it doesn't happen... the EDC (electronic damper control) should never loose fluid, ever. The lowering could have exacerbated pressure on the dampers, leading them to premature failure. With all due respect, since I see a lot of people lowering SUVs and I just don't get it but to each their own. However, you must realize that BMW engineers designed the geometry and usable range of those units for a specific ride height and weight load, by lowering the chassis, you are compressing the dampers and reducing their operating range.. which by extension increases the physical forces on each unit. Its a little odd to have multiple ones fail concurrently, but if you dropped it to the floor and then decided to do some spirited driving over shitty roads.. at low temperatures, on a 3 year old car.. its very possible that some gaskets could have failed. Can I just why you found that a worthwhile upgrade? Was it for looks? You know they make a M3 wagon. Last edited by spucktacular; 03-19-2023 at 07:45 PM..
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03-20-2023, 05:18 PM	#9
lagunablue1 Second Lieutenant 350 Rep 207 Posts Drives: E90 M3 / F97 X3M Join Date: Jun 2020 Location: ON iTrader: (1)	OP this seems likely to be some sort of install error. There have been hundreds of members who have posted with their X3Ms lowered on MSS/H&R/Eibach without issue. Yes any lowering spring on stock struts will cause a slightly reduce lifespan of the strut, but it shouldn't blow that quickly at such low mileage unless it was an install error or an existing issue Where is the leak coming from in the strut? I would guess the shop must have damaged the seal when compressing the springs and torqueing down the tophat. __________________ -2007 Z4M - Interlagos Blue -2008 E90 M3 - Interlagos Blue, 6MT, slicktop -2020 X3MC - Phytonic Blue
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03-22-2023, 07:50 AM	#11
kzg1969 Lieutenant Colonel 1299 Rep 1,927 Posts Drives: X3M Comp / M3 E93 Join Date: Nov 2016 Location: AberFreeze iTrader: (1)	i have heard of some garages using mole / vice grips to hold the damper rod to remove the top nut....however, would imagine all would be leaking if they did that?
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