Important!

This replacement procedure can be used for:
BMW X5 (E53) 4.4 i

The steps may slightly vary depending on the car design.

How to change rear shock absorbers BMW X5 E53 TUTORIAL | AUTODOC

Replacement: shock absorbers – BMW X5 E53. List of the tools you'll need:

                        Wire brush
                      
                        WD-40 spray
                      
                        Brake cleaner
                      
                        Copper grease
                      
                        Combination spanner #19
                      
                        Combination spanner #21
                      
                        Drive socket # 10
                      
                        Drive socket # 21
                      
                        Wheel impact socket #17
                      
                        Ratchet wrench
                      
                        Flat Screwdriver
                      
                        Adjustable wrench
                      
                        Crow bar
                      
                        Hydraulic transmission jack
                      
                        Wheel chock

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

BMW X5 (E53) 4.4 i

Replacement: shock absorbers – BMW X5 E53. AUTODOC recommends:

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

Replacement: shock absorbers – 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 #17.
Step 3

Raise the rear of the car and secure on supports.

Step 4

Unscrew the wheel bolts.

Replacement: shock absorbers – BMW X5 E53. Tip:

To avoid injury, hold up the wheel when unscrewing the bolts.
Step 5

Remove the wheel.
Step 6

Clean the shock absorber fasteners.Use a wire brush.Use WD-40 spray.

Step 7

Unscrew the lower fastener of the shock absorber.Use a combination spanner #21.Use a drive socket #21.Use a ratchet wrench.
Step 8

Remove the fastening bolt.

Step 9

Support the stub axle.Use a hydraulic transmission jack.
Step 10

Detach the lower part of the shock absorber.Use a crowbar.
Step 11

Remove the support from under the stub axle.

AUTODOC recommends:

BMW X5 E53 – Do not lower the transmission jack sharply to avoid damaging components and mechanisms of the car.
Step 12

Lower the car.

Step 13

Open the boot lid.
Step 14

Remove the boot front lower lining.
Step 15

Unscrew fixing bolts of the protective cover.Use a drive socket #10.Use a ratchet wrench.
Step 16

Remove the cover of the boot side lining.
Step 17

Fold down the backrests of the rear seats.

Step 18

Remove the protective cover.
Step 19

Remove the clips. Use a flat screwdriver.
Step 20

Remove the protective cover.
Step 21

Remove the protective cap of the shock absorber mount.Use a flat screwdriver.
Step 22

Clean the shock absorber rod fastener.Use a wire brush.Use WD-40 spray.

Step 23

Remove the shock absorber piston rod fastening.Use a combination spanner #19.Use an adjustable wrench.

Replacement: shock absorbers – BMW X5 E53. Tip from AUTODOC experts:

To avoid injuries, hold the shock absorber when undoing the fastening bolts.
Step 24

Remove the shock absorber.
Step 25

Remove the shock absorber dust cap and the bump stop.Use a flat screwdriver.

Replacement: shock absorbers – BMW X5 E53. Professionals recommend:

Examine the shock absorber dust cap and the bump stop. Replace them if necessary.Before installing a new shock absorber you should pump it manually 3-5 times.
Step 26

Install the dust sleeve and the bump stop on the new shock absorber.
Step 27

Clean the shock absorber mounting seats.Use a wire brush.Use WD-40 spray.
Step 28

Place the shock absorber in the wheel arch and secure it.

Replacement: shock absorbers – BMW X5 E53. AUTODOC experts recommend:

To avoid injury, hold the shock absorber cautiously tight when screwing in the fastening bolts.
Step 29

Tighten the shock absorber rod nut.Use a combination spanner #19.Use an adjustable wrench.Use a torque wrench.Tighten it to 60 Nm torque.
Step 30

Treat the shock absorber fasteners.Use copper grease.

Step 31

Install the protective shock absorber mounting cap.
Step 32

Install the protective cover.
Step 33

Reinstall the pop clips of the protective cover.
Step 34

Return the seat to its original position.

Step 35

Install the protective cover.
Step 36

Tighten fixing bolts of the protective cover.Use a drive socket #10.Use a ratchet wrench.

Step 37

Install the cover of the boot side lining.

Step 38

Install the boot front lower lining.
Step 39

Close the lid of the luggage compartment.
Step 40

Raise the rear of the car and secure on supports.
Step 41

Support the stub axle.Use a hydraulic transmission jack.
Step 42

Attach the lower part of the shock absorber.

Step 43

Install the fastening bolt.

Step 44

Tighten the lower fastener of the shock absorber.Use a combination spanner #21.Use a drive socket #21.Use a torque wrench.Tighten it to 80 Nm torque.
Step 45

Treat the shock absorber fasteners.Use copper grease.
Step 46

Remove the support from under the stub axle.

AUTODOC recommends:

Replacement: shock absorbers – BMW X5 E53. Lower the transmission jack smoothly, without jerks, to avoid damaging components and mechanisms.

Step 47

Treat the surface where the brake disc contacts the wheel rim.Use copper grease.
Step 48

Clean the brake disk surface.Use a brake cleaner.

AUTODOC recommends:

Replacement: shock absorbers – BMW X5 E53. After applying the spray, wait a few minutes.
Step 49

Install the wheel.

Replacement: shock absorbers – BMW X5 E53. Tip from AUTODOC:

To avoid injury, hold up the wheel when screwing in the fastening bolts.
Step 50

Screw in the wheel bolts.Use wheel impact socket #17.
Step 51

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 52

Remove the jacks and chocks.

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