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Front Sway Bar Links

Discuss the problems with your X5 (E53).
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Richard137
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Posts: 240
Joined: Sun Feb 14, 2016 5:48 pm
Location: Rochdale

Front Sway Bar Links

Post by Richard137 » Fri Apr 15, 2016 9:22 pm

Hello all,
Oh Boy, am I getting to know the faults of my E53!!!!
There has been a slight rattle at the front which has been slowly getting louder, After a little Googlin' and Youtubin' I have gotten to the bottom of it all and have settled on the front sway bar links being shot!
Now.....how to do it?  anyone done the task?
Thanks for reading this all the way to the e....  :))
2006 BMW E53 Titanium Silver (Facelift)
Remapped
LED Angel Eyes
LED Reverse Lights
B-Pillars Wrapped in Carbon Black
Rear Wiper E70 Conversion
Winter Wheels (18" 255/55).

------ To Do ------
CREE Driving light set.
Steering wheel to be Carbon Wrapped.
Running Boards to be polished.

X_V
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Joined: Wed Mar 23, 2016 2:02 pm
Location: Perth, Western Australia

Re: Front Sway Bar Links

Post by X_V » Sat Apr 16, 2016 4:03 am

Easy job, just did mine. Only drama was getting the correct parts sent, they didn’t send me a matching pair in the same brand. When I notified them they still didn’t get it right on the re-send! >:( Ended up installing them anyway, no more “clunking” sound.
Heaps of videos etc. already but here are some tips I can provide:
  • Jack up front and support safely on stands if you have them. Remove wheel on the side you’re working on and slide under the car for extra safety. Tip: loosen wheel nuts before you jack up car.
  • You’ll need a 18mm thin spanner to hold the ball joint to break loose the nut from the strut and sway bar ends. I bought a “Cone Spanner” from my local bicycle store which did the trick.
  • There is only 1 washer required to go on the top of the link which attaches to the strut end. Put it on before you thread the bolt through the strut mounting point. Thread top nut on but keep loose so you can attach the lower link easily. No washer required for bottom connection to sway bar, just bolt on. There is a difference between left and right so make a note of the one you removed and match up with the new one. Tighten both end link nuts to 100Nm.
  • Repeat for other side.
  • While the wheels are off check your pads and discs. Make sure your sensors and wear indicators are connected properly.
  • Wheels back on, lower vehicle and torque wheel bolts back up to 140Nm.
Take her for a spin and enjoy the “clunk” free ride. Go find a nice round-about and do a lap, I challenge you to resist that grin on your face as you gently squeeze the accelerator whilst going around :))
2006 X5 E53 3.0D
Sports Suspension
Australian Version

themoog
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Joined: Sat Jul 11, 2015 9:29 am

Re: Front Sway Bar Links

Post by themoog » Sat Apr 16, 2016 6:13 am

Why not put new anti roll bar D bushes on at the same time? Easy peasy, cheap (I paid £7 for a pair) and it tightened the front end up a bit.

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Richard137
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Joined: Sun Feb 14, 2016 5:48 pm
Location: Rochdale

Re: Front Sway Bar Links

Post by Richard137 » Mon Apr 18, 2016 2:11 pm

Sway bar links changed!
Grinder used as major Seizmanship with the bolts, unbelievably worn on drivers side.
The drive now is out of this world!
themoog, My apologies for not seeing your D bush advice soon enough, I'll do them next time (Do you have any links for them please?)
2006 BMW E53 Titanium Silver (Facelift)
Remapped
LED Angel Eyes
LED Reverse Lights
B-Pillars Wrapped in Carbon Black
Rear Wiper E70 Conversion
Winter Wheels (18" 255/55).

------ To Do ------
CREE Driving light set.
Steering wheel to be Carbon Wrapped.
Running Boards to be polished.

TheHerd
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Posts: 124
Joined: Fri Jan 22, 2016 2:40 pm
Location: Herts

Re: Front Sway Bar Links

Post by TheHerd » Tue May 24, 2016 11:16 pm

Chaps, would worn swap bar links generate a little vibration at speed?
I've changed discs and pads and had all wheels balanced and aligned and I still feel a little wobble on the motorway.

I don't hear any clunking at low speed so not entirely sure....
(SOLD) 2006 BMW E53 X5 3.0d MSport 20" OEM Rims
20mm Spacers | LED Interior Lights incl NPlate | HID kits | M-Tech Steering Wheel | LED Angel Eyes | 2016 Maps | Digital TV | Upgraded AMP | Engine Remap | LED Tails | LED Side Repeaters | Subwoofer |

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