How to change front strut mount on BMW E39 – replacement guide
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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 i,
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
…
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The steps may slightly vary depending on the car design.
How to change strut mount BMW 5 E39 [TUTORIAL AUTODOC]
All the parts you need to replace – Strut Mount for 5 Saloon (E39) and other BMW models
Replacement: strut mount – BMW E39. AUTODOC recommends:
The replacement procedure is identical for the mounts of the left and right shock struts of the front suspension.
All mounts of the front shock struts should be replaced simultaneously.
Be sure to replace all self-locking nuts and bolts during installation.
Please note: all work on the car – BMW E39 – should be done with the engine switched off.
Carry out replacement in the following order:
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: strut mount – BMW E39. Tip:
To avoid injury, hold up the wheel when unscrewing the bolts.
Step 5
Remove the wheel.
Step 6
Clean the fastener connecting the tie rod end to the steering knuckle. Use a wire brush. Use WD-40 spray.
Step 7
Unscrew the end fastening nut to the steering knuckle. Use a combination spanner #19.
Step 8
Disconnect the tie rod end from the steering knuckle. Use a ball joint puller.
Step 9
Unscrew the fasteners of the control arm plastic cover. Use a drive socket #10. Use a ratchet wrench.
Step 10
Remove the control arm plastic cover.
Step 11
Clean the fasteners connecting the control arm to the subframe. Use a wire brush. Use WD-40 spray.
Step 12
Loosen the front fastener of the control arm. Use a combination spanner #18 (2 pieces).
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. Use a drive socket #10. Use a ratchet wrench.
Step 15
Disconnect the headlight levelling sensor.
Step 16
Unscrew the rear fastener connecting the control arm to the subframe. Use a combination spanner #18. Use a drive socket #16. Use a ratchet wrench.
Step 17
Remove the rear fastener of the control arm.
Step 18
Unscrew the fastener of the stabiliser link bracket. Use a drive socket #16. Use a ratchet wrench.
Step 19
Remove the fastening bolt.
Step 20
Clean the fasteners connecting the shock strut to the steering knuckle. Use a wire brush. Use WD-40 spray.
Step 21
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 22
Remove the fastening bolt.
Step 23
Remove the bracket from the shock absorber strut.
Step 24
Release the lower fastener connecting the shock strut to the steering knuckle. Use a flat metal-working chisel. Use a hammer.
Step 25
Disconnect the steering knuckle from the shock absorber strut.
Replacement: strut mount – BMW E39. AUTODOC experts recommend:
Make sure that the steering knuckle is supported.
Step 26
Install the rear fastener of the control arm.
Step 27
Lower the car.
Step 28
Open the bonnet.
Step 29
Use a fender protection cover to prevent damaging paintwork and plastic parts of the car.
Step 30
Clean the fasteners of the shock strut upper mount. Use a wire brush. Use WD-40 spray.
Step 31
Unscrew the top fastening of the shock strut mount. Use a combination spanner #13. Use a drive socket #13. Use a ratchet wrench.
AUTODOC recommends:
Important! Hold the suspension strut while unscrewing the fastening bolts. BMW E39
Step 32
Remove the suspension strut.
Step 33
Set the shock absorber strut on the spring compressor tool.
Replacement: strut mount – BMW E39. Tip from AUTODOC experts:
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 34
Compress the spring.
Step 35
Remove the shock strut mount cap. Use a flat screwdriver.
Step 36
Treat the shock strut rod. Use a wire brush. Use WD-40 spray.
Step 37
Remove the strut piston rod nut. Use a drive socket #22. Use HEX No.H6. Use a ratchet wrench.
Step 38
Remove the top strut mount.
Replacement: strut mount – BMW E39. Professionals recommend:
Examine the shock absorber dust cap and the bump stop. Replace them if necessary.
Step 39
Clean the mounting seat of the shock strut mount. Use a wire brush. Use WD-40 spray.
Step 40
Treat the fasteners of the shock strut mount. Use copper grease.
Step 41
Install a new top shock strut mount.
Step 42
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.
Replacement: strut mount – BMW E39. AUTODOC recommends:
Check to make sure the spring is positioned correctly. Avoid its misalignment.
Step 43
Install the shock strut mount cap.
Step 44
Decompress the spring.
Step 45
Remove the assembled shock strut.
Step 46
Install the shock strut into the wheel arch.
Step 47
Screw the top fastening of the shock strut mount.
AUTODOC recommends:
Important! Hold the suspension strut while screwing in the fastening bolts. BMW E39
Step 48
Tighten the upper fastener of the shock absorber strut mount. Use a combination spanner #13. Use a drive socket #13. Use a torque wrench. Tighten it to 24 Nm torque.
Step 49
Remove the fender protection cover.
Step 50
Close the hood.
Step 51
Raise the front of the car and secure on supports.
Step 52
Remove the rear fastener of the control arm.
Step 53
Fix the shock absorber strut on the steering knuckle.
Step 54
Install the rear fastener of the control arm.
Step 55
Prop up the steering knuckle. Use a hydraulic transmission jack.
Step 56
Install the fastening bolt.
Step 57
Install the bracket onto the shock absorber strut.
Step 58
Install the fastening bolt.
Step 59
Tighten the fastener of the stabiliser link bracket. Use a drive socket #16. Use a ratchet wrench. Use a torque wrench. Tighten it to 60 Nm torque.
Step 60
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 61
Remove the support from under the steering knuckle.
AUTODOC recommends:
Replacement: strut mount – BMW E39. Lower the transmission jack smoothly, without jerks, to avoid damaging components and mechanisms.
Step 62
Connect the tie rod end to the steering knuckle.
Step 63
Tighten the fastening nut connecting the tie rod end to the steering knuckle. Use a combination spanner #19. Use a torque wrench. Tighten it to 65 nm torque.
Step 64
Screw the rear fastener connecting the control arm to the subframe. Use a combination spanner #18. Use a drive socket #16. Use a ratchet wrench.
Step 65
Prop up the steering knuckle. Use a hydraulic transmission jack.
Step 66
Tighten the rear fastener of the control arm. Use a combination spanner #18. Use a drive socket #16. Use a torque wrench. Tighten it to 110 Nm torque.
Step 67
Tighten the front fastener connecting the control arm to the subframe. Use a combination spanner #18 (2 pieces). Use a torque wrench. Tighten it to 110 nm torque.
Step 68
Treat all joints of the arm. Use copper grease.
Step 69
Remove the support from under the steering knuckle.
Replacement: strut mount – BMW E39. Tip from AUTODOC experts:
Lower the hydraulic transmission jack smoothly, without jerks, to avoid damaging assemblies and mechanisms.
Step 70
Install the control arm plastic cover.
Step 71
Screw the fasteners of the control arm plastic cover. Use a drive socket #10. Use a ratchet wrench.
Step 72
Reconnect the headlight levelling sensor.
Step 73
Tighten the fasteners of the headlight levelling sensor. Use a combination spanner #10. Use a drive socket #10. Use a torque wrench. Tighten it to 7 Nm torque.
Step 74
Treat the surface where the brake disc contacts the wheel rim. Use copper grease.
Step 75
Clean the brake disk surface. Use a brake cleaner.
AUTODOC recommends:
Replacement: strut mount – BMW E39. After applying the spray, wait a few minutes.
Step 76
Install the wheel.
AUTODOC recommends:
To avoid injury, hold up the wheel when screwing in the fastening bolts.
Step 77
Screw in the wheel bolts. Use wheel impact socket #17.
Step 78
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 79
Remove the jacks and chocks.
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