Important!

This replacement procedure can be used for:
BMW 5 Saloon (E39) 520 i, BMW 5 Saloon (E39) 525 tds, BMW 5 Saloon (E39) 523 i, BMW 5 Saloon (E39) 528 i, BMW 5 Saloon (E39) 525 td, BMW 5 Saloon (E39) 530 d, BMW 5 Saloon (E39) 520 d, BMW 5 Saloon (E39) 525 d, BMW 5 Saloon (E39) 520 i, BMW 5 Saloon (E39) 530 d, BMW 5 Saloon (E39) 525 i, BMW 5 Saloon (E39) 530 i … View more

The steps may slightly vary depending on the car design.

How to change front suspension arm / front control arm on BMW 520i (E39) [TUTORIAL AUTODOC]

All the parts you need to replace – Control Arm for 5 Saloon (E39) and other BMW models

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Replacement: front lower arm – BMW E39. Tools you might need:

                      Wire brush
                    
                      WD-40 spray
                    
                      Brake cleaner 
                    
                      Copper grease 
                    
                      Combination spanner #18
                    
                      Drive socket # 16 
                    
                      Drive socket # 18 
                    
                      Drive socket # 22 
                    
                      Wheel impact socket #17
                    
                      Ratchet wrench
                    
                      Torque wrench
                    
                      Ball joint puller
                    
                      Hydraulic transmission jack
                    
                      Wheel chock

Buy tools

Replacement: front lower arm – BMW E39. AUTODOC recommends:

The replacement procedure is identical for the left and right lower control arms.
All work should be done with the engine stopped.

Replacement: front lower arm – BMW E39. Use the following procedure:

Step 1

Secure the wheels with chocks.
Step 2

Loosen the wheel mounting bolts. Use wheel impact socket #17.
Step 3

Raise the front of the car and secure on supports.
Step 4

Unscrew the wheel bolts.

Replacement: front lower arm – BMW E39. Tip from AUTODOC:
To avoid injury, hold up the wheel when unscrewing the bolts.
Step 5

Remove the wheel.
Step 6

Remove the control arm cover.
Step 7

Clean all joints of the arm. Use a wire brush. Use WD-40 spray.
Step 8

Unscrew the ball joint fastening to the steering knuckle. Use a drive socket #22. Use a ratchet wrench.
Step 9

Disconnect the ball joint from the steering knuckle. Use a ball joint puller.
Step 10

Unscrew the lower fastener connecting the shock strut to the steering knuckle. Use a combination spanner #18. Use a drive socket #16. Use a ratchet wrench.
Step 11

Unscrew the front arm fastener. Use a combination spanner #18. Use a drive socket #18. Use a ratchet wrench.
Step 12

Remove the front fastener of the control arm.
Step 13

Remove the arm.
Step 14

Clean the mounting seats and the thread of the suspension arm. Use a wire brush. Use WD-40 spray.
Step 15

Install a new arm.

Replacement: front lower arm – BMW E39. Tip:
During the installation process, use only new bolts and nuts.Do not damage the ball joint cover.
Step 16

Connect the ball joint to the steering knuckle.
Step 17

Screw the fasteners of the ball joint. Use a drive socket #22. Use a ratchet wrench.
Step 18

Clean the mounting seats and the thread of the suspension arm. Use a wire brush. Use WD-40 spray.
Step 19

Install the front fastener of the arm.
Step 20

Screw the front arm fastener. Use a combination spanner #18. Use a drive socket #18. Use a ratchet wrench.
Step 21

Support the arm. Use a hydraulic transmission jack.
Step 22

Tighten the lower fasteners connecting the shock strut to the steering knuckle. Use a combination spanner #18. Use a drive socket #16. Use a torque wrench. Tighten it to 81 Nm torque.
Step 23

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 110 Nm torque.
Step 24

Tighten the fasteners of the ball joint. Use a drive socket #22. Use a torque wrench. Tighten it to 80 nm torque.
Step 25

Remove the support from under the arm.

AUTODOC recommends:
Replacement: front lower arm – BMW E39. Lower the transmission jack smoothly, without jerks, to avoid damaging components and mechanisms.
Step 26

Install the control arm cover.
Step 27

Treat all joints of the arm. Treat the shock strut fasteners. Use copper grease.
Step 28

Treat the surface where the brake disc contacts the wheel rim. Use copper grease.
Step 29

Clean the brake disk surface. Use a brake cleaner.

Replacement: front lower arm – BMW E39. AUTODOC recommends:
After applying the spray, wait a few minutes.
Step 30

Install the wheel.

Replacement: front lower arm – BMW E39. Professionals recommend:
To avoid injury, hold up the wheel when screwing in the fastening bolts.
Step 31

Screw in the wheel bolts. Use wheel impact socket #17.
Step 32

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 33

Remove the jacks and chocks.

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