Important!

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

The steps may slightly vary depending on the car design.

How to change front springs BMW X5 E53 TUTORIAL | AUTODOC

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

Coil spring

Coil spring buffer

        Coil spring for BMW X5 (E53) 3.0 d Diesel (184 hp)
      
        Coil spring for BMW X5 (E53) 4.4 i Petrol (320 hp)
      
        Coil spring for BMW X5 (E53) 3.0 d Diesel (218 hp)
      
        Coil spring for BMW X5 (E53) 3.0 d Diesel (211 hp)

Replacement: coil springs – BMW X5 E53. Tools you'll need:

                        Wire brush
                      
                        WD-40 spray
                      
                        Brake cleaner
                      
                        Copper grease
                      
                        Combination spanner #19
                      
                        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: coil springs – BMW X5 E53. AUTODOC recommends:

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

Replacement: coil springs – BMW X5 E53. Recommended sequence of 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: coil springs – 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: coil springs – BMW X5 E53. AUTODOC experts recommend:
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.

Replacement: coil springs – BMW X5 E53. Tip from AUTODOC:
To avoid injuries, hold the shock strut when undoing the fastening bolts.
Step 22

Remove the suspension strut.
Step 23

Set the shock absorber strut on the spring compressor tool.

Replacement: coil springs – BMW X5 E53. Professionals recommend:
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 #22. 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: coil springs – BMW X5 E53. Carefully inspect the mount, the boot, and the bump stop of the shock absorber. Replace if necessary.
Step 31

Install the spring on the shock absorber.
Step 32

Install the boot and a bump stop onto the shock absorber.
Step 33

Compress the spring.

Step 34

Install the upper strut mount and the strut mount bearing.
Step 35

Tighten the shock strut piston rod nut. Use a combination spanner #22. Use HEX No.H7. Use a torque wrench. Tighten it to 60 Nm torque.

Replacement: coil springs – BMW X5 E53. Tip from AUTODOC experts:
Check to make sure the spring is positioned correctly. Avoid its misalignment.
Step 36

Decompress the spring.

Step 37

Remove the assembled shock strut.
Step 38

Install the shock strut into the wheel arch.
Step 39

Screw the top fastening of the shock strut mount.

AUTODOC recommends:
Important! Hold the suspension strut while screwing in the fastening bolts. BMW X5 E53
Step 40

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 41.1

Install the windshield washer tank and tighten the bolts.

Step 41.2

Use a drive socket #10. Use a ratchet wrench.
Step 42

Remove the fender protection cover.

Step 43

Close the hood.
Step 44

Raise the front of the car and secure on supports.
Step 45

Treat the shock strut mounting seat on the steering knuckle. Use a wire brush. Use WD-40 spray.
Step 46

Fix the shock absorber strut on the steering knuckle.
Step 47

Install the fastening bolt.
Step 48

Connect the ABS sensor wiring.

Step 49

Install the fastening bolt.

Step 50

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 51

Fasten the brake hose on the strut.
Step 52

Ιnstall the transverse stabilizer link.

Step 53

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 54

Treat the shock strut fasteners. Use copper grease.
Step 55

Treat the surface where the brake disc contacts the wheel rim. Use copper grease.
Step 56

Clean the brake disk surface. Use a brake cleaner.

Replacement: coil springs – BMW X5 E53. AUTODOC recommends:
After applying the spray, wait a few minutes.
Step 57

Install the wheel.

AUTODOC recommends:
Warning! To avoid injury, hold the wheel while screwing in the fastening bolts on the car. BMW X5 E53
Step 58

Screw in the wheel bolts. Use wheel impact socket #17.
Step 59

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 60

Remove the jacks and chocks.

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