Important!
This replacement procedure can be used for:
BMW 5 Saloon (E60) 525 d, BMW 5 Saloon (E60) 520 i, BMW 5 Saloon (E60) 530 d, BMW 5 Saloon (E60) 525 i, BMW 5 Saloon (E60) 545 i, BMW 5 Saloon (E60) M5, BMW 5 Saloon (E60) 535 d, BMW 5 Saloon (E60) 530 i, BMW 5 Saloon (E60) 523 i, BMW 5 Saloon (E60) 525 i, BMW 5 Saloon (E60) 540 i, BMW 5 Saloon (E60) 550 i, BMW 5 Saloon (E60) 520 d, BMW 5 Saloon (E60) 530 d, BMW 5 Saloon (E60) 525 xi, BMW 5 Saloon (E60) 530 xi, BMW 5 Saloon (E60) 530 xd, BMW 5 Saloon (E60) 520 d, BMW 5 Saloon (E60) 535 d, BMW 5 Saloon (E60) 525 i, BMW 5 Saloon (E60) 525 xi, BMW 5 Saloon (E60) 523 i, BMW 5 Saloon (E60) 525 d, BMW 5 Saloon (E60) 530 d, BMW 5 Saloon (E60) 530 xd, BMW 5 Saloon (E60) 530 i, BMW 5 Saloon (E60) 530 xi, BMW 5 Saloon (E60) 530 i, BMW 5 Saloon (E60) 535 i, BMW 5 Saloon (E60) 525 xd, BMW 5 Saloon (E60) 520 d, BMW 5 Saloon (E60) 520 i, BMW 5 Saloon (E60) 520 i, BMW 5 Saloon (E60) 525 i xDrive, BMW 5 Saloon (E60) 530 i xDrive, BMW 5 Saloon (E60) 525 d xDrive, BMW 5 Saloon (E60) 530 d xDrive, BMW 5 Saloon (E60) 530 d, BMW 5 Saloon (E60) 520 i, BMW 5 Saloon (E60) 540 i, BMW 5 Saloon (E60) 523 i, BMW 5 Saloon (E60) 530 i, BMW 5 Saloon (E60) 530 xi, BMW 5 Saloon (E60) 525 i, BMW 5 Saloon (E60) 525 d, BMW 5 Saloon (E60) 525 i, BMW 5 Saloon (E60) 525 i, BMW 5 Saloon (E60) 520 d, BMW 5 Saloon (E60) 525 i View more

The steps may slightly vary depending on the car design.

How to change front suspension arm / front control arm on BMW E60 [TUTORIAL AUTODOC]

video
All the parts you need to replace – Control Arm for 5 Saloon (E60) and other BMW models
How to change Suspension arm on BMW E60 530d 3.0 – step-by-step instructions for straightforward car repair
Suspension arm
How to change Link Set, wheel suspension on BMW E60 530d 3.0 – step-by-step instructions for straightforward car repair
Link Set, wheel suspension
How to change Rod / Strut, wheel suspension on BMW E60 530d 3.0 – step-by-step instructions for straightforward car repair
Rod / Strut, wheel suspension
Tools
Replacement: front lower arm – BMW E60. Tools you might need:
Wire brush
WD-40 spray
Brake cleaner
Copper grease
Combination spanner #9
Combination spanner #10
Combination spanner #16
Combination spanner #18
Drive socket # 10
Drive socket # 16
Drive socket # 18
Drive socket # 21
Wheel impact socket #17
Ratchet wrench
Torque wrench
Flat chisel
Hammer
Ball joint puller
Hydraulic transmission jack
Wheel chock
Replacement: front lower arm – BMW E60. 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 E60. Recommended sequence of steps:
  1. Step 1
    How to change Control Arm on BMW E60 2001 - free PDF and video manuals
    Secure the wheels with chocks.
  2. Step 2
    How to replace BMW 5 Saloon (E60) 530d 3.0 2002 Control Arm - step-by-step manuals and video guides
    Loosen the wheel mounting bolts. Use wheel impact socket #17.
  3. Step 3
    BMW E60 525d 2.5 2003 Control Arm replacement: free workshop manuals
    Raise the front of the car and secure on supports.
  4. Step 4
    Changing Control Arm on BMW 5 Saloon (E60) 520i 2.2 2004 by yourself
    Unscrew the wheel bolts.
    Replacement: front lower arm – BMW E60. Tip:
    To avoid injury, hold up the wheel when unscrewing the bolts.
  5. Step 5
    How to remove BMW 5 SERIES 525d 3.0 2005 Control Arm - online easy-to-follow instructions
    Remove the wheel.
  6. Step 6
    How to replace Control Arm on BMW 5 Saloon (E60) 2006: download PDF manuals and video instructions
    Clean the stabiliser link fasteners. Use a wire brush. Use WD-40 spray.
  7. Step 7
    How hard is it to do yourself: Control Arm replacement on BMW E60 530 d 2007 - download illustrated guide
    Unscrew the fastener connecting the stabilizer link to the shock strut. Use a drive socket #16. Use a ratchet wrench.
  8. Step 8
    Need to know how to renew Control Arm on BMW 5 SERIES 2008? This free workshop manual will help you to do it yourself
    Clean the fastener connecting the tie rod end to the steering knuckle. Use a wire brush. Use WD-40 spray.
  9. Step 9
    Changing of Control Arm on BMW E60 2009 won't be an issue if you follow this illustrated step-by-step guide
    Unscrew the end fastening nut to the steering knuckle. Use a drive socket #21. Use a ratchet wrench.
  10. Step 10
    BMW 5 SERIES 530d 3.0 Control Arm replacement: online guides and video tutorials
    Disconnect the tie rod end from the steering knuckle.
  11. Step 11
    Replacing Control Arm on BMW E60 2001 530d 3.0 by yourself
    Clean the fasteners of the headlight levelling sensor. Use a wire brush. Use WD-40 spray.
  12. Step 12
    5 Saloon (E60) 525d 3.0 2002 Control Arm DIY replacement workshop manual
    Unscrew the fasteners of the headlight levelling sensor. Use a combination spanner #9. Use a combination spanner #10.
  13. Step 13
    How to change Control Arm on BMW 5 Saloon (E60) 2003 - tips and tricks
    Disconnect the headlight levelling sensor.
  14. Step 14
    Step-by-step recommendations for DIY replacement BMW E60 2004 525d 3.0 Control Arm
    Clean all joints of the arm. Use a wire brush. Use WD-40 spray.
  15. Step 15
    DIY replacement of Control Arm on BMW 5 Saloon (E60) 520 d 2005 is not an issue anymore with our step-by-step tutorial
    Unscrew the ball joint fastening to the steering knuckle. Use a drive socket #21. Use a ratchet wrench.
  16. Step 16
    How to change Control Arm on BMW E60 2001 - free PDF and video manuals
    Unscrew the front arm fastener. Use a combination spanner #18. Use a drive socket #18. Use a ratchet wrench.
  17. Step 17
    How to replace BMW 5 Saloon (E60) 530d 3.0 2002 Control Arm - step-by-step manuals and video guides
    Disconnect the ball joint from the steering knuckle. Use a ball joint puller.
  18. Step 18
    BMW E60 525d 2.5 2003 Control Arm replacement: free workshop manuals
    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.
  19. Step 19
    Changing Control Arm on BMW 5 Saloon (E60) 520i 2.2 2004 by yourself
    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.
  20. Step 20
    How to remove BMW 5 SERIES 525d 3.0 2005 Control Arm - online easy-to-follow instructions
    Prop up the steering knuckle. Use a hydraulic transmission jack.
  21. Step 21
    How to replace Control Arm on BMW 5 Saloon (E60) 2006: download PDF manuals and video instructions
    Remove the fastening bolt.
  22. Step 22
    How hard is it to do yourself: Control Arm replacement on BMW E60 530 d 2007 - download illustrated guide
    Unscrew the fastener of the stabiliser link bracket. Use a drive socket #16. Use a ratchet wrench.
  23. Step 23
    Need to know how to renew Control Arm on BMW 5 SERIES 2008? This free workshop manual will help you to do it yourself
    Release the lower fastener connecting the shock strut to the steering knuckle. Use a flat metal-working chisel. Use a hammer.
  24. Step 24
    Changing of Control Arm on BMW E60 2009 won't be an issue if you follow this illustrated step-by-step guide
    Lower the hydraulic transmission jack by 10-15 cm.
    AUTODOC recommends:
    Replacement: front lower arm – BMW E60. Lower the transmission jack smoothly, without jerks, to avoid damaging components and mechanisms.
  25. Step 25
    BMW 5 SERIES 530d 3.0 Control Arm replacement: online guides and video tutorials
    Disconnect the lower arm from the steering knuckle.
  26. Step 26
    Replacing Control Arm on BMW E60 2001 530d 3.0 by yourself
    Remove the fastening bolt.
  27. Step 27
    5 Saloon (E60) 525d 3.0 2002 Control Arm DIY replacement workshop manual
    Remove the arm.
  28. Step 28
    How to change Control Arm on BMW 5 Saloon (E60) 2003 - tips and tricks
    Clean the mounting seats and the thread of the suspension arm. Use a wire brush. Use WD-40 spray.
  29. Step 29
    Step-by-step recommendations for DIY replacement BMW E60 2004 525d 3.0 Control Arm
    Install a new arm.
    Replacement: front lower arm – BMW E60. AUTODOC experts recommend:
    During the installation process, use only new bolts and nuts.Do not damage the ball joint cover.
  30. Step 30
    DIY replacement of Control Arm on BMW 5 Saloon (E60) 520 d 2005 is not an issue anymore with our step-by-step tutorial
    Connect the lower arm to the steering knuckle.
  31. Step 31
    How to change Control Arm on BMW E60 2001 - free PDF and video manuals
    Raise the hydraulic transmission jack by 10-15 cm.
  32. Step 32
    How to replace BMW 5 Saloon (E60) 530d 3.0 2002 Control Arm - step-by-step manuals and video guides
    Treat the shock strut mounting seat on the steering knuckle. Use a wire brush. Use WD-40 spray.
  33. Step 33
    BMW E60 525d 2.5 2003 Control Arm replacement: free workshop manuals
    Screw in the fastener of the stabiliser link bracket. Use a drive socket #16. Use a ratchet wrench.
  34. Step 34
    Changing Control Arm on BMW 5 Saloon (E60) 520i 2.2 2004 by yourself
    Install the fastening bolt.
  35. Step 35
    How to remove BMW 5 SERIES 525d 3.0 2005 Control Arm - online easy-to-follow instructions
    Screw in the fastener that connects the shock strut to the steering knuckle. Use a combination spanner #18. Use a drive socket #18. Use a ratchet wrench.
  36. Step 36
    How to replace Control Arm on BMW 5 Saloon (E60) 2006: download PDF manuals and video instructions
    Install the fastening bolt.
  37. Step 37
    How hard is it to do yourself: Control Arm replacement on BMW E60 530 d 2007 - download illustrated guide
    Screw the front arm fastener. Use a combination spanner #18.
  38. Step 38
    Need to know how to renew Control Arm on BMW 5 SERIES 2008? This free workshop manual will help you to do it yourself
    Remove the support from under the steering knuckle.
    AUTODOC recommends:
    Lower the hydraulic transmission jack smoothly, without jerks, to avoid damaging assemblies and mechanisms.
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DIY BMW 5 Saloon (E60) Control Arm replacement - online guide
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