Important!

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

The steps may slightly vary depending on the car design.

How to change strut mount BMW X5 E53 TUTORIAL | AUTODOC

Alternative products

Top strut mount

Replacement: strut mount – BMW X5 E53. Tools you might need:

                      Wire brush
                    
                      WD-40 spray
                    
                      Brake cleaner
                    
                      Copper grease
                    
                      Combination spanner #16
                    
                      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

Buy tools

Replacement: strut mount – BMW X5 E53. AUTODOC experts recommend:

The replacement procedure is identical for the mounts of the right and left shock absorbers of the rear suspension.
Both mounts of the rear 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 X5 E53 – 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 rear of the car and secure on supports.

Step 4

Unscrew the wheel bolts.

AUTODOC recommends:
Important! Hold the wheel while unscrewing the fastening bolts. BMW X5 E53
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.

Replacement: strut mount – BMW X5 E53. Tip:
Lower the hydraulic transmission jack smoothly, without jerks, to avoid damaging assemblies and mechanisms.
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 fasteners of the shock absorber upper mount. Use a wire brush. Use WD-40 spray.

Step 23

Unscrew the upper fastener of the shock absorber. Use a drive socket #16. Use an adjustable wrench.

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

Remove the shock absorber.
Step 25

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

Step 26

Remove the shock absorber piston rod fastening. Use a combination spanner #19. Use an adjustable wrench.
Step 27

Remove the shock absorber upper mount.

AUTODOC recommends:
Examine the shock absorber dust cap and the bump stop. Replace them if necessary.
Step 28

Install the shock absorber upper mount.
Step 29

Tighten the shock absorber rod nut. Use a combination spanner #19. Use an adjustable wrench. Use a torque wrench. Tighten it to 25 Nm torque.
Step 30

Clean the shock absorber mounting seats. Use a wire brush. Use WD-40 spray.
Step 31

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

AUTODOC recommends:
Important! Hold the shock absorber while screwing in the fastening bolts. BMW X5 E53
Step 32

Tighten the top shock absorber fastening. Use a combination spanner #16. Use a torque wrench. Tighten it to 50 Nm torque.
Step 33

Treat the shock absorber fasteners. Use copper grease.

Step 34

Install the protective shock absorber mounting cap.
Step 35

Install the protective cover.
Step 36

Reinstall the pop clips of the protective cover.
Step 37

Return the seat to its original position.

Step 38

Install the protective cover.
Step 39

Tighten fixing bolts of the protective cover. Use a drive socket #10. Use a ratchet wrench.
Step 40

Install the cover of the boot side lining.
Step 41

Install the boot front lower lining.
Step 42

Close the lid of the luggage compartment.
Step 43

Raise the rear of the car and secure on supports.

Step 44

Support the stub axle. Use a hydraulic transmission jack.
Step 45

Attach the lower part of the shock absorber.

Step 46

Install the fastening bolt.
Step 47

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 127 Nm torque.
Step 48

Treat the shock absorber fasteners. Use copper grease.

Step 49

Remove the support from under the stub axle.

AUTODOC recommends:
Replacement: strut mount – BMW X5 E53. Lower the transmission jack smoothly, without jerks, to avoid damaging components and mechanisms.
Step 50

Treat the surface where the brake disc contacts the wheel rim. Use copper grease.
Step 51

Clean the brake disk surface. Use a brake cleaner.

AUTODOC recommends:
After applying the spray, wait a few minutes.
Step 52

Install the wheel.

Replacement: strut mount – BMW X5 E53. AUTODOC experts recommend:
To avoid injury, hold up the wheel when screwing in the fastening bolts.
Step 53

Screw in the wheel bolts. Use wheel impact socket #17.
Step 54

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 140 Nm torque.
Step 55

Remove the jacks and chocks.

Was this manual helpful?

Please rate this manual on a scale from 1 to 5. If you have any questions, feel free to ask us.

Need New Tyres?

Find out which tyre and wheel sizes are compatible with the BMW X5 (E53) model

BMW X5 E53 tyre size

How to change front lower arm on BMW X5 E53 – replacement guide

Free download PDF
1.73 MB
How to change track rod end on BMW X5 E53 – replacement guide

Free download PDF
1.7 MB
How to change front strut mount on BMW X5 E53 – replacement guide

Free download PDF
2.96 MB
How to change rear upper arm on BMW X5 E53 – replacement guide

Free download PDF
1.58 MB
How to change front wheel bearing on BMW X5 (E53) – replacement guide

Free download PDF
2.91 MB
How to change rear brake pads on BMW X5 E53 – replacement guide

Free download PDF
1.93 MB

How to change front strut mount on BMW X5 E53 – replacement guide

Free download PDF
2.96 MB
How to change strut mount on a car – replacement tutorial

Universal

Free download PDF
1.04 MB
How to change front strut mount on BMW E36 – replacement guide

Free download PDF
2.69 MB
How to change front strut mount on BMW E90 – replacement guide

Free download PDF
2.48 MB
How to change rear strut mount on BMW X3 E83 – replacement guide

Free download PDF
3.31 MB
How to change front strut mount on BMW E82 – replacement guide

Free download PDF
4.61 MB

Unlock your car maintenance assistant!

Track expenses, manage logs, schedule replacements, and more.

Cold starts | 5 mistakes that wreck your car

12K views

Published on: 23/10/2025
5 Essential Tips to Prepare Your Car for Winter | AUTODOC tips

6K views

Published on: 05/02/2024
TOP 5 mistakes during DIY oil change | AUTODOC tips

37K views

Published on: 17/06/2021
Top 7 Manual Transmission Mistakes to Avoid | AUTODOC Tips

6K views

Published on: 20/10/2020