Important!

This replacement procedure can be used for:
BMW 5 Saloon (E60) 530 i, BMW 5 Saloon (E60) 530 i, BMW 5 Saloon (E60) 520 d, BMW 5 Saloon (E60) 520 d, BMW 5 Saloon (E60) 525 d, BMW 5 Saloon (E60) 530 i, BMW 5 Saloon (E60) 520 d, BMW 5 Saloon (E60) 530 i, BMW 5 Saloon (E60) 530 i, BMW 5 Saloon (E60) 530 d, BMW 5 Saloon (E60) 545 i, BMW 5 Saloon (E60) 525 d, BMW 5 Saloon (E60) 535 d, BMW 5 Saloon (E60) 540 i, BMW 5 Saloon (E60) 550 i, BMW 5 Saloon (E60) 530 d, BMW 5 Saloon (E60) 525 d, BMW 5 Saloon (E60) 535 d, BMW 5 Saloon (E60) 530 d, BMW 5 Saloon (E60) 545 i, BMW 5 Saloon (E60) 550 i, BMW 5 Saloon (E60) 530 d, BMW 5 Saloon (E60) 535 i, BMW 5 Saloon (E60) 530 i, BMW 5 Saloon (E60) 520 d … View more

The steps may slightly vary depending on the car design.

How to change front springs / front coil springs on BMW E60 [TUTORIAL AUTODOC]

All the parts you need to replace – Springs for 5 Saloon (E60) and other BMW models

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Replacement: coil springs – BMW E60. List of the tools you'll need:

                      Wire brush
                    
                      WD-40 spray
                    
                      Brake cleaner 
                    
                      Copper grease 
                    
                      Combination spanner #10
                    
                      Combination spanner #16
                    
                      Combination spanner #18
                    
                      Combination spanner #21
                    
                      Drive socket # 10 
                    
                      Drive socket # 13 
                    
                      Drive socket # 16 
                    
                      Drive socket # 18 
                    
                      Drive socket # 21 
                    
                      Drive socket # 22 
                    
                      Torx bit T30
                    
                      Torx bit T40
                    
                      HEX bit no.H6.
                    
                      HEX bit no.H7.
                    
                      Wheel impact socket #17
                    
                      Ratchet wrench
                    
                      Torque wrench
                    
                      Flat chisel
                    
                      Hammer
                    
                      Tap wrench
                    
                      Clip removal tool
                    
                      Phillips screwdriver
                    
                      Crow bar
                    
                      Ball joint puller
                    
                      Hydraulic strut spring compressor
                    
                      Hydraulic transmission jack
                    
                      Fender cover
                    
                      Wheel chock

Buy tools

Replacement: coil springs – BMW E60. AUTODOC experts recommend:

Both coil springs of the front suspension should be replaced simultaneously.
The replacement procedure is identical for the left and right coil springs of the front suspension.
All work should be done with the engine stopped.

Replacement: coil springs – BMW E60. Recommended sequence of steps:

Step 1

Open the bonnet.
Step 2

Use a fender protection cover to prevent damaging paintwork and plastic parts of the car.
Step 3

Unscrew the fasteners of the suspension strut mount cover. Use a Phillips screwdriver. Use a clip removal tool.
Step 4

Remove the protective cap from the shock absorber strut mount.
Step 5

Clean the fasteners of the shock strut upper mount. Use a wire brush. Use WD-40 spray.
Step 6

Loosen the upper fastener of the shock strut mount. Use a drive socket #13. Use a ratchet wrench.
Step 7

Secure the wheels with chocks.
Step 8

Loosen the wheel mounting bolts. Use wheel impact socket #17.
Step 9

Raise the front of the car and secure on supports.
Step 10

Unscrew the wheel bolts.

AUTODOC recommends:
Warning! To avoid injury, hold the wheel while unscrewing the fastening bolts. BMW E60
Step 11

Remove the wheel.
Step 12

Disconnect the wiring and the brake hose from the bracket on the shock strut.
Step 13

Clean the fasteners of the headlight levelling sensor. Use a wire brush. Use WD-40 spray.
Step 14

Unscrew the fasteners of the headlight levelling sensor. Use a combination spanner #10.
Step 15

Disconnect the headlight levelling sensor.
Step 16

Clean the fasteners connecting the shock strut to the steering knuckle. Clean the stabiliser link fasteners. Use a wire brush. Use WD-40 spray.
Step 17

Unscrew the fastener connecting the stabilizer link to the shock strut. Use a combination spanner #16. Use Torx T30. Use a ratchet wrench.
Step 18

Remove the stabilizer rod.
Step 19

Unscrew the fastener of the stabiliser link bracket. Use a drive socket #16. Use a ratchet wrench.
Step 20

Unscrew the lower fastener connecting the shock strut to the steering knuckle. Use a combination spanner #18. Use a drive socket #18. Use a ratchet wrench.
Step 21

Clean the fastener connecting the tie rod end to the steering knuckle.

Step 22

Clean all joints of the arm. Use a wire brush. Use WD-40 spray.
Step 23

Unscrew the end fastening nut to the steering knuckle. Use a combination spanner #21. Use Torx T40. Use a ratchet wrench.
Step 24

Disconnect the tie rod end from the steering knuckle. Use a ball joint puller.
Step 25

Spread the brake pads. Use a crowbar.
Step 26

Unscrew the caliper bracket fastening. Use a drive socket #18. Use a tap wrench.
Step 27

Remove the brake caliper together with its bracket.

Replacement: coil springs – BMW E60. Professionals recommend:
Tie the caliper to the suspension or to the body with a wire without disconnecting from the brake hose to prevent depressurization of the brake system.Make sure that the brake caliper is not hanging on the brake hose.Don't press the brake pedal after the brake caliper has been removed. As a result, the piston can fall out from the brake cylinder, and brake fluid leakage and depressurization of the system may occur.
Step 28

Unscrew the rear fastener connecting the control arm to the subframe. Use a combination spanner #18. Use a drive socket #18. Use a ratchet wrench.
Step 29

Unscrew the front arm fastener. Use a combination spanner #18. Use a drive socket #18. Use a ratchet wrench.
Step 30

Disconnect the ABS sensor wiring.
Step 31

Prop up the steering knuckle. Use a hydraulic transmission jack.
Step 32

Remove the rear fastener of the control arm. Use a combination spanner #18.
Step 33

Remove the arm.
Step 34

Remove the front fastener of the control arm. Use a combination spanner #18.
Step 35

Remove the arm.
Step 36

Clean the fasteners connecting the shock strut to the steering knuckle. Use a wire brush. Use WD-40 spray.
Step 37

Remove the fastening bolt.
Step 38

Release the lower fastener connecting the shock strut to the steering knuckle. Use a flat metal-working chisel. Use a hammer.
Step 39

Lower the hydraulic transmission jack by 10-15 cm.

AUTODOC recommends:
Replacement: coil springs – BMW E60. Lower the transmission jack smoothly, without jerks, to avoid damaging components and mechanisms.
Step 40

Disconnect the steering knuckle from the shock absorber strut.

Replacement: coil springs – BMW E60. Tip from AUTODOC:
Make sure that the steering knuckle is supported.
Step 41

Unscrew the top fastening of the shock strut mount.

AUTODOC recommends:
Important! Hold the suspension strut while unscrewing the fastening bolts. BMW E60
Step 42

Remove the suspension strut.
Step 43

Set the shock absorber strut on the spring compressor tool.

Replacement: coil springs – BMW E60. Tip:
Note that when using a spring compressor, spring coils need to be securely gripped, compressing the spring on the opposite sides.Ensure the correct position of the spring in the retainer.Make sure that the spring coils tightly entered the lock handles.
Step 44

Compress the spring.
Step 45

Remove the shock strut mount cap. Use a crowbar.
Step 46

Treat the shock strut rod. Use a wire brush. Use WD-40 spray.
Step 47

Remove the strut piston rod nut. Use a drive socket #21. Use HEX No.H7. Use a ratchet wrench.
Step 48

Remove the top strut mount.
Step 49

Release the coil spring.
Step 50

Remove the spring.
Step 51

Remove the shock absorber dust cap and the bump stop.

AUTODOC recommends:
Replacement: coil springs – BMW E60. Carefully inspect the mount, the boot, and the bump stop of the shock absorber. Replace if necessary.
Step 52

Install the boot and a bump stop onto the shock absorber.
Step 53

Install the spring on the shock absorber.
Step 54

Compress the spring.
Step 55

Install the upper strut mount and the strut mount bearing.
Step 56

Tighten the shock strut piston rod nut. Use a drive socket #22. Use HEX No.H6. Use a torque wrench. Tighten it to 64 Nm torque.

AUTODOC recommends:
Check to make sure the spring is positioned correctly. Avoid its misalignment.
Step 57

Treat the shock strut rod. Use copper grease.
Step 58

Install the shock strut mount cap.
Step 59

Decompress the spring.
Step 60

Remove the assembled shock strut.
Step 61

Treat the shock strut mounting seat on the steering knuckle. Use a wire brush. Use WD-40 spray.
Step 62

Install the shock strut into the wheel arch.
Step 63

Screw the top fastening of the shock strut mount. Do not tighten it.

AUTODOC recommends:
BMW E60 – To avoid injury, hold the suspension strut while screwing in the fastening bolts.
Step 64

Treat the shock strut mounting seat on the steering knuckle. Use a wire brush. Use WD-40 spray.
Step 65

Fix the shock absorber strut on the steering knuckle.
Step 66

Install the fastening bolt.
Step 67

Screw in the fastener of the stabiliser link bracket. Use a drive socket #16. Use a ratchet wrench.
Step 68

Screw in the fastener that connects the shock strut to the steering knuckle. Use a drive socket #18. Use a ratchet wrench.
Step 69

Clean the mounting seats and the thread of the suspension arm. Use a wire brush. Use WD-40 spray.
Step 70

Reinstall the control arm.
Step 71

Install the front fastener of the arm.
Step 72

Screw the front arm fastener. Use a combination spanner #18. Use a drive socket #18. Use a ratchet wrench.
Step 73

Reinstall the control arm.
Step 74

Install the rear fastener of the arm.
Step 75

Screw the rear fastener connecting the control arm to the subframe. Use a combination spanner #18 (2 pieces).
Step 76

Remove the support from under the steering knuckle.

AUTODOC recommends:
BMW E60 – Do not lower the transmission jack sharply to avoid damaging components and mechanisms of the car.
Step 77

Clean the mounting seats of the tie rod end. Use a wire brush. Use WD-40 spray.
Step 78

Connect the tie rod end to the steering knuckle.
Step 79

Screw on the fastening nut that connects the tie rod end to the steering knuckle. Use a combination spanner #21. Use Torx T40. Use a ratchet wrench.
Step 80

Clean the mounting seats of the stabiliser link. Use a wire brush. Use WD-40 spray.
Step 81

Ιnstall the transverse stabilizer link.
Step 82

Tighten the stabiliser link fastener. Use a combination spanner #16. Use Torx T30. Use a ratchet wrench.
Step 83

Connect the ABS sensor wiring.
Step 84

Reconnect the headlight levelling sensor.
Step 85

Screw in the fasteners of the headlight levelling sensor. Use a combination spanner #10.
Step 86

Clean the mounting seats of the caliper and its bracket. Use a wire brush. Use WD-40 spray.
Step 87

Install the brake caliper together with its bracket.
Step 88

Tighten the brake caliper bracket. Use a drive socket #18. Use a torque wrench. Tighten it to 110 Nm torque.
Step 89

Fasten the brake hose on the strut.
Step 90

Tighten the fasteners of the headlight levelling sensor. Use a drive socket #10. Use a torque wrench. Tighten it to 7 Nm torque.
Step 91

Tighten the fastener connecting the stabilizer link to the shock strut. Use a drive socket #16. Use a torque wrench. Tighten it to 65 Nm torque.
Step 92

Tighten the fastening nut connecting the tie rod end to the steering knuckle. Use a drive socket #21. Use a torque wrench. Tighten it to 165 nm torque.
Step 93

Tighten the lower fasteners connecting the shock strut to the steering knuckle. Use a drive socket #16. Use a drive socket #18. Use a torque wrench. Tighten it to 81 Nm torque.
Step 94

Tighten the fastener of the stabiliser link bracket. Use a drive socket #16. Use a torque wrench. Tighten it to 65 Nm torque.
Step 95

Prop up the steering knuckle. Use a hydraulic transmission jack.
Step 96

Tighten the front fastener connecting the control arm to the subframe. Use a combination spanner #18. Use a drive socket #18. Use a torque wrench. Tighten it to 100 Nm torque.+90°

AUTODOC recommends:
Important! Be sure to use new fasteners.
Step 97

Tighten the rear fastener connecting the arm to the body subframe. Use a combination spanner #18. Use a drive socket #18. Use a torque wrench. Tighten it to 100 Nm torque.+90°

AUTODOC recommends:
Important! Be sure to use new fasteners.
Step 98

Remove the support from under the steering knuckle.

Replacement: coil springs – BMW E60. AUTODOC experts recommend:
Lower the hydraulic transmission jack smoothly, without jerks, to avoid damaging assemblies and mechanisms.
Step 99

Treat all joints of the arm. Treat the shock strut fasteners. Use copper grease.
Step 100

Clean the wheel rim mounting seat. Use a wire brush.
Step 101

Treat the surface where the brake disc contacts the wheel rim. Use copper grease.
Step 102

Clean the brake disk surface. Use a brake cleaner.

AUTODOC recommends:
Replacement: coil springs – BMW E60. After applying the spray, wait a few minutes.
Step 103

Install the wheel.

Replacement: coil springs – BMW E60. Tip from AUTODOC experts:
To avoid injury, hold up the wheel when screwing in the fastening bolts.
Step 104

Screw in the wheel bolts. Use wheel impact socket #17.
Step 105

Lower the car and working in a cross order, tighten the wheel bolts. Use wheel impact socket #17. Use a torque wrench. Tighten it to 120 Nm torque.
Step 106

Remove the jacks and chocks.
Step 107

Tighten the upper fastener of the shock absorber strut mount. Use a drive socket #13. Use a torque wrench. Tighten it to 34 Nm torque.
Step 108

Treat the fasteners of the shock strut mount. Use copper grease.
Step 109

Install the protective cap onto the shock absorber strut mount.
Step 110

Screw in the fasteners of the suspension strut mount cover. Use a Phillips screwdriver.
Step 111

Remove the fender protection cover.
Step 112

Close the hood.

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