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 tie rod end / track rod end on BMW 520i (E39) [TUTORIAL AUTODOC]

All the parts you need to replace – Track Rod End for 5 Saloon (E39) and other BMW models

Alternative products

Track rod end

Replacement: track rod end – BMW E39. List of the tools you'll need:

                      Wire brush
                    
                      WD-40 spray
                    
                      Brake cleaner 
                    
                      Copper grease 
                    
                      Combination spanner #18
                    
                      Combination spanner #23
                    
                      Combination spanner #24
                    
                      Drive socket # 18 
                    
                      Wheel impact socket #17
                    
                      Torque wrench
                    
                      Vernier caliper
                    
                      Ball joint puller
                    
                      Hydraulic transmission jack
                    
                      Wheel chock

Buy tools

Replacement: track rod end – BMW E39. Professionals recommend:

Replace tie rod ends in pairs.
The replacement procedure is identical for the right and left tie rod ends.
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: track rod end – BMW E39. AUTODOC recommends:
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

When deinstalling, mark or measure the precise position of the ball joint on the track rod, or count the number of turns in order to prevent misalignment afterward. Use a vernier caliper.
Step 8

Loosen the lock nut securing the tie rod end to the tie rod. Use a combination spanner #23. Use a combination spanner #24.
Step 9

Unscrew the end fastening nut to the steering knuckle. Use a combination spanner #18.
Step 10

Disconnect the tie rod end from the steering knuckle. Use a ball joint puller.
Step 11

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

Disconnect the tie rod end from the steering knuckle.
Step 13

Screw the end out of the tie rod. Use a combination spanner #24. Use a combination spanner #24.
Step 14

Clean the mounting seats of the tie rod end. Use a wire brush. Use WD-40 spray.
Step 15

Screw on a new tie rod end.

Replacement: track rod end – BMW E39. AUTODOC experts recommend:
While installing the steering rod end remember to make the same number of turns or to leave the same length of thread showing as per your measurements.
Step 16

Screw on the tie rod end jam nut. Use a combination spanner #24 (2 pieces).
Step 17

When deinstalling, mark or measure the precise position of the ball joint on the track rod, or count the number of turns in order to prevent misalignment afterward. Use a vernier caliper.
Step 18

Connect the tie rod end to the steering knuckle.
Step 19

Tighten the fastening nut connecting the tie rod end to the steering knuckle. Use a drive socket #18. Use a torque wrench. Tighten it to 65 nm torque.
Step 20

Tighten the tie rod end locknut. Use a combination spanner #24 (2 pieces). Use a torque wrench. Tighten it to 51 nm torque.
Step 21

Remove the support from under the arm.

AUTODOC recommends:
Replacement: track rod end – BMW E39. Lower the transmission jack smoothly, without jerks, to avoid damaging components and mechanisms.
Step 22

Treat the fastener connecting the tie rod end to the steering knuckle. Use copper grease.
Step 23

Treat the surface where the brake disc contacts the wheel rim. Use copper grease.
Step 24

Clean the brake disk surface. Use a brake cleaner.

Replacement: track rod end – BMW E39. Tip from AUTODOC:
After applying the spray, wait a few minutes.
Step 25

Install the wheel.

AUTODOC recommends:
Important! Hold the wheel while screwing in the fastening bolts. BMW E39
Step 26

Screw in the wheel bolts. Use wheel impact socket #17.
Step 27

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.

Replacement: track rod end – BMW E39. Tip from AUTODOC:
Check and adjust wheel alignment if necessary.
Step 28

Remove the jacks and chocks.

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