Important!

This replacement procedure can be used for:
BMW 5 Saloon (E39) 520i, BMW 5 Saloon (E39) 525tds, BMW 5 Saloon (E39) 523i, BMW 5 Saloon (E39) 528i, BMW 5 Saloon (E39) 540i, BMW 5 Saloon (E39) 535i, BMW 5 Saloon (E39) 525 td, BMW 5 Saloon (E39) 530 d, BMW 5 Saloon (E39) M5, BMW 5 Saloon (E39) 535i, 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, BMW 5 Saloon (E39) 530 i … View more

The steps may slightly vary depending on the car design.

How to change rear suspension arm / rear control arm on BMW 520i (E39) [TUTORIAL AUTODOC]

All the parts you need to replace – Control Arm for 5 Saloon (E39) and other BMW models

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Replacement: rear upper arm – BMW E39. List of the tools you'll need:

                      Wire brush
                    
                      WD-40 spray
                    
                      Brake cleaner 
                    
                      Copper grease 
                    
                      Combination spanner #16
                    
                      Combination spanner #22
                    
                      Drive socket # 10 
                    
                      Drive socket # 16 
                    
                      Drive socket # 22 
                    
                      Wheel impact socket #17
                    
                      Ratchet wrench
                    
                      Torque wrench
                    
                      Hydraulic transmission jack
                    
                      Wheel chock

Buy tools

Replacement: rear upper arm – BMW E39. Professionals recommend:

The replacement procedure is identical for the right and left upper control arms.
All work should be done with the engine stopped.

Replacement: rear upper arm – BMW E39. Take the following steps:

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 E39
Step 5

Remove the wheel.
Step 6

Clean all joints of the arm. Use a wire brush. Use WD-40 spray.
Step 7

Disconnect the ABS sensor wiring.
Step 8

Clean all joints of the arm. Use a wire brush. Use WD-40 spray.
Step 9

Unscrew the fastener connecting the control arm to the rear knuckle. Use a combination spanner #22. Use a drive socket #10. Use a ratchet wrench.
Step 10

Unscrew the arm fastening to the beam. Use a combination spanner #16.
Step 11

Support the arm. Use a hydraulic transmission jack.
Step 12

Remove the fastening bolt.
Step 13

Remove the rear upper arm.
Step 14

Clean the mounting seats and the thread of the suspension arm. Use a wire brush. Use WD-40 spray.
Step 15

Mount the rear upper arm.

Replacement: rear upper arm – BMW E39. AUTODOC recommends:
During the installation process, use only new bolts and nuts.Do not damage the ball joint cover.
Step 16

Install the fastening bolt.
Step 17

Screw in the fastener that connects the control arm to the rear knuckle. Use a combination spanner #22. Use a drive socket #10. Use a ratchet wrench.
Step 18

Tighten the fastener connecting the suspension arm to the rear knuckle. Use a drive socket #22. Use a torque wrench. Tighten it to 142 Nm torque.
Step 19

Screw in the fastener connecting the control arm to the subframe. Use a combination spanner #16.
Step 20

Tighten the arm fastening to the beam. Use a drive socket #16. Use a torque wrench. Tighten it to 110 nm torque.
Step 21

Connect the ABS sensor wiring.
Step 22

Remove the support from under the arm.

AUTODOC recommends:
BMW E39 – Do not lower the transmission jack sharply to avoid damaging components and mechanisms of the car.
Step 23

Treat all joints of the arm. Use copper grease.
Step 24

Treat the surface where the brake disc contacts the wheel rim. Use copper grease.
Step 25

Clean the brake disk surface. Use a brake cleaner.

Replacement: rear upper arm – BMW E39. Tip from AUTODOC:
After applying the spray, wait a few minutes.
Step 26

Install the wheel.

AUTODOC recommends:
Warning! To avoid injury, hold the wheel while screwing in the fastening bolts on the car. BMW E39
Step 27

Screw in the wheel bolts. Use wheel impact socket #17.
Step 28

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 29

Remove the jacks and chocks.

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