Getting ready to change rear springs...

[BimmerSooner]

Any tips on removal, installation, etc. before I dive in?

[Pinepig]

Undo the bottom shock bolt ( or the upper ) when it droops ( do both or the sways will hamper your effort ) pull the old ones out and slap the new ones in. I swear it only took 15 min to get mine out, cut em and put em back in.

[munchytii]

Did my rears just this weekend. Had a tough time with initial first side. The 2nd side went fast and smooth cuz I knew what to do. First the old Bilstein struts came off. And to make the strut come off easy was to slightly jack the arm up a bit only, then removal was easy. Then the most important tool is the spring compressor. It needs to be the small shorty type. The long bolted ones are too long to fit the small/ little space. The old springs came off and the new ones were installed simultaneously using the tool. Finish one side then do the other side next. Be careful and try not to strip the bolt for the strut. I have Ireland Springs with Bilsteins sports. It was not that easy of a task. Good luck, simply enjoy the struggle and time will fly. I'm actually sore all over.