Important!

This replacement procedure can be used for:
BMW X5 (E53) 3.0i, BMW X5 (E53) 4.4i, BMW X5 (E53) 3.0d, BMW X5 (E53) 4.6is, BMW X5 (E53) 4.4i, BMW X5 (E53) 3.0d, BMW X5 (E53) 4.8is, BMW X5 (E53) 3.0d … View more

The steps may slightly vary depending on the car design.

How to change front suspension arm / front control arm on BMW X5 (E53) [TUTORIAL AUTODOC]

All the parts you need to replace – Control Arm for X5 (E53) and other BMW models

Alternative products

Suspension arm

Replacement: front lower arm – BMW X5 E53. Tools you might need:

                      Wire brush
                    
                      WD-40 spray
                    
                      Copper grease 
                    
                      Combination spanner #18
                    
                      Combination spanner #22
                    
                      Drive socket # 18 
                    
                      Wheel impact socket #19
                    
                      Ball joint puller
                    
                      Ratchet wrench
                    
                      Torque wrench
                    
                      Rubber mallet
                    
                      Crow bar
                    
                      Hydraulic transmission jack
                    
                      Wheel chock

Buy tools

Replacement: front lower arm – BMW X5 E53. AUTODOC experts recommend:

The replacement procedure is identical for the left and right lower control arms.
Replacement of the independent suspension lower arm in some cars requires a part of the outlet piping of the additional heater to be removed.
All work should be done with the engine stopped.

Replacement: front lower arm – BMW X5 E53. Use the following procedure:

Step 1

Secure the wheels with chocks.
Step 2

Loosen the wheel mounting bolts. Use wheel impact socket #19.
Step 3

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

Unscrew the wheel bolts.

Replacement: front lower arm – BMW X5 E53. Tip:
To avoid injury, hold up the wheel when unscrewing the bolts.
Step 5

Remove the wheel.
Step 6

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

AUTODOC recommends:
Replacement: front lower arm – BMW X5 E53. After applying the spray, wait a few minutes.
Step 7

Unscrew the ball joint fastening nut. Use a combination spanner #22.
Step 8

Unscrew the arm fastening from the subframe. Use a drive socket #18. Use a combination spanner #18. Use a ratchet wrench.
Step 9

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

Prop up the steering knuckle. Use a hydraulic transmission jack.
Step 11

Remove the ball joint from the steering knuckle. Use a crowbar.
Step 12

Remove the fastening bolt. Use a rubber mallet.
Step 13

Remove the arm.
Step 14

Lower the hydraulic transmission jack by 10-15 cm.

Replacement: front lower arm – BMW X5 E53. AUTODOC recommends:
Lower the hydraulic transmission jack smoothly, without jerks, to avoid damaging assemblies and mechanisms.
Step 15.1

Clean the mounting seats and the thread of the suspension arm.

Step 15.2

Use a wire brush. Use WD-40 spray.
Step 16

Install a new arm.

Replacement: front lower arm – BMW X5 E53. Tip from AUTODOC experts:
During the installation process, use only new bolts and nuts.Do not damage the ball joint cover.
Step 17

Support the arm. Use a hydraulic transmission jack.
Step 18

Insert the ball joint into the steering knuckle and fix it with a new nut.
Step 19

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

AUTODOC recommends:
Important! Be sure to use new fasteners.
Step 20

Tighten the ball joint fastening nut. Use a combination spanner #22. Use a torque wrench. Tighten it to 80 nm torque.
Step 21

Remove the support from under the arm.

AUTODOC recommends:
Replacement: front lower arm – BMW X5 E53. Lower the transmission jack smoothly, without jerks, to avoid damaging components and mechanisms.
Step 22

Clean the wheel rim mounting seat. Use a wire brush. Treat the contacting surface. Use copper grease.
Step 23

Install the wheel.

Replacement: front lower arm – BMW X5 E53. Tip from AUTODOC:
To avoid injury, hold up the wheel when screwing in the fastening bolts.
Step 24

Screw in the wheel bolts. Use wheel impact socket #19.
Step 25

Lower the car and working in a cross order, tighten the wheel bolts. Use a torque wrench. Tighten it to 140 nm torque.
Step 26

Remove the jacks and chocks.

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