Important!

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

The steps may slightly vary depending on the car design.

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

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

Shock absorber

        Shock absorber for X5 (E53) Diesel (184 hp)
      
        Shock absorber for X5 (E53) Petrol (347 hp)
      
        Shock absorber for X5 (E53) Petrol (231 hp)
      
        Shock absorber for X5 (E53) Petrol (320 hp)
      
        Shock absorber for X5 (E53) Diesel (218 hp)
      
        Shock absorber for X5 (E53) Diesel (211 hp)

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

                        Wire brush
                      
                        WD-40 spray
                      
                        Brake cleaner
                      
                        Copper grease
                      
                        Combination spanner #19
                      
                        Combination spanner #21
                      
                        Combination spanner #22
                      
                        Drive socket # 10
                      
                        Drive socket # 13
                      
                        Drive socket # 22
                      
                        HEX bit no.H5.
                      
                        HEX bit no.H7.
                      
                        Wheel impact socket #17
                      
                        Ratchet wrench
                      
                        Torque wrench
                      
                        Flat Screwdriver
                      
                        Hydraulic strut spring compressor
                      
                        Fender cover
                      
                        Wheel chock

Buy tools

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

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

Replacement: suspension strut – BMW X5 E53. 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 front of the car and secure on supports.

Step 4

Unscrew the wheel bolts.

Replacement: suspension strut – BMW X5 E53. Tip:
To avoid injury, hold up the wheel when unscrewing the bolts.
Step 5

Remove the wheel.
Step 6

Clean the stabiliser link fasteners. Use a wire brush. Use WD-40 spray.
Step 7

Unscrew the fastener connecting the stabilizer link to the shock strut. Use a combination spanner #19. Use HEX No.H5. Use a ratchet wrench.
Step 8

Remove the stabilizer rod.

Step 9

Detach the brake hose from the shock strut. Use a flat screwdriver.
Step 10

Clean the fasteners connecting the shock strut to the steering knuckle. Use a wire brush. Use WD-40 spray.

Step 11

Unscrew the lower fastener connecting the shock strut to the steering knuckle. Use a combination spanner #22. Use a drive socket #22. Use a ratchet wrench.
Step 12

Remove the fastening bolt.
Step 13

Disconnect the ABS sensor wiring.

Step 14

Remove the fastening bolt.

Step 15

Disconnect the steering knuckle from the shock absorber strut.

Replacement: suspension strut – BMW X5 E53. AUTODOC recommends:
Make sure that the steering knuckle is supported.
Step 16

Lower the car.
Step 17

Open the bonnet.
Step 18

Use a fender protection cover to prevent damaging paintwork and plastic parts of the car.

Step 19

Unscrew the bolts and remove the windshield washer tank. Use a drive socket #10. Use a ratchet wrench.
Step 20

Clean the fasteners of the shock strut upper mount. Use a wire brush. Use WD-40 spray.

Step 21

Unscrew the top fastening of the shock strut mount. Use a drive socket #13. Use a ratchet wrench.

AUTODOC recommends:
Important! Hold the suspension strut while unscrewing the fastening bolts. BMW X5 E53
Step 22

Remove the suspension strut.
Step 23

Set the shock absorber strut on the spring compressor tool.

Replacement: suspension strut – BMW X5 E53. Tip from AUTODOC:
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 24

Compress the spring.
Step 25

Treat the shock strut rod. Use a wire brush. Use WD-40 spray.

Step 26

Remove the strut piston rod nut. Use a combination spanner #21. Use HEX No.H7.
Step 27

Release the coil spring.

Step 28

Remove the top strut mount.

Step 29

Remove the spring.
Step 30

Remove the shock absorber dust cap and the bump stop.

AUTODOC recommends:
Replacement: suspension strut – BMW X5 E53. Carefully inspect the mount, the boot, and the bump stop of the shock absorber. Replace if necessary.
Step 31

Remove the rubber spring spacer.
Step 32

Remove the old shock absorber from the hydraulic coil spring compressor.

Replacement: suspension strut – BMW X5 E53. Tip from AUTODOC experts:
Before installing a new shock absorber you should pump it manually 3-5 times.
Step 33

Install the new shock absorber on the hydraulic coil spring compressor.

Step 34

Install the rubber spring spacer.
Step 35

Install the dust sleeve and the bump stop on the new shock absorber.
Step 36

Install the spring on the shock absorber.
Step 37

Compress the spring.

Step 38

Install the upper strut mount and the strut mount bearing.
Step 39

Tighten the shock strut piston rod nut. Use a combination spanner #21. Use HEX No.H7. Use a torque wrench. Tighten it to 60 Nm torque.

Replacement: suspension strut – BMW X5 E53. Professionals recommend:
Check to make sure the spring is positioned correctly. Avoid its misalignment.
Step 40

Decompress the spring.

Step 41

Remove the assembled shock strut.
Step 42

Install the shock strut into the wheel arch.
Step 43

Screw the top fastening of the shock strut mount.

Replacement: suspension strut – BMW X5 E53. AUTODOC recommends:
To avoid injuries, hold the shock strut when screwing the fastening bolts in.
Step 44

Tighten the upper fastener of the shock absorber strut mount. Use a drive socket #13. Use a torque wrench. Tighten it to 34 Nm torque.
Step 45.1

Install the windshield washer tank and tighten the bolts.

Step 45.2

Use a drive socket #10. Use a ratchet wrench.
Step 46

Remove the fender protection cover.

Step 47

Close the hood.
Step 48

Raise the front of the car and secure on supports.

Step 49

Treat the shock strut mounting seat on the steering knuckle. Use a wire brush. Use WD-40 spray.
Step 50

Fix the shock absorber strut on the steering knuckle.
Step 51

Install the fastening bolt.
Step 52

Connect the ABS sensor wiring.

Step 53

Install the fastening bolt.
Step 54

Tighten the lower fasteners connecting the shock strut to the steering knuckle. Use a combination spanner #22. Use a drive socket #22. Use a torque wrench. Tighten it to 250 Nm torque.
Step 55

Ιnstall the transverse stabilizer link.

Step 56

Tighten the fastener connecting the stabilizer link to the shock strut. Use a combination spanner #19. Use HEX No.H5. Use a torque wrench. Tighten it to 65 Nm torque.
Step 57

Treat the shock strut fasteners. Use copper grease.
Step 58

Fasten the brake hose on the strut.
Step 59

Treat the surface where the brake disc contacts the wheel rim. Use copper grease.
Step 60

Clean the brake disk surface. Use a brake cleaner.

Replacement: suspension strut – BMW X5 E53. AUTODOC experts recommend:
After applying the spray, wait a few minutes.
Step 61

Install the wheel.

AUTODOC recommends:
Important! Hold the wheel while screwing in the fastening bolts. BMW X5 E53
Step 62

Screw in the wheel bolts. Use wheel impact socket #17.
Step 63

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 64

Remove the jacks and chocks.

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