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Rear suspension

Discuss your latest mods or ideas, and anything to do with the BMW X5 (E53).
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lewiehigh91
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Rear suspension

Post by lewiehigh91 » Fri Dec 30, 2016 9:06 am

Hey, I have a creak from the back suspension, and I want to fit this to hopefully cure it, and freshen up the back end. How hard is it all to fit? And do I need a special tool?

EBay item number 112050977054

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ianst0028
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Re: Rear suspension

Post by ianst0028 » Fri Dec 30, 2016 9:19 am

constant creak/squeak on the back is usually the rear ball joint (its a rose bush but bmw call it a ball joint)

fairly easy to do but you need the right tool to remove/fit the joint

make sure you release the air suspension pressure before you do it or it becomes a very difficult job and things will not go back together easily
X5 e53 3.0 2002 with LPG

lewiehigh91
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Re: Rear suspension

Post by lewiehigh91 » Fri Dec 30, 2016 9:30 am

Is it possible to do without the tool?

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ianst0028
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Re: Rear suspension

Post by ianst0028 » Fri Dec 30, 2016 9:42 am

i tried with the wrong tool and i failed .... so in my opinion no
but i've read of people making tools up to do the job

btw if you replace all the components you'll need to get 4 wheel tracking done
X5 e53 3.0 2002 with LPG

lewiehigh91
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Re: Rear suspension

Post by lewiehigh91 » Fri Dec 30, 2016 12:42 pm

Hmmmm....may have a look and see if I can Jimmy it out someway without. Don't like spending money if I don't have to lol :))

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ianst0028
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Re: Rear suspension

Post by ianst0028 » Fri Dec 30, 2016 2:17 pm

LOLOLOL yeah the proper bush tool is expensive
X5 e53 3.0 2002 with LPG

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henrym3
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Re: Rear suspension

Post by henrym3 » Fri Dec 30, 2016 5:25 pm

I did mine recently, looked, thought, yea I can knock that out, take Ian's advice, you won't. Luckily I have a very friendly indie and hired the tool for £10. Money well spent. Just as difficult to put the new one in, needs that same tool.
E53 X5 4.6is, Carbon Black, LPG, Paddle Shift, Dynavin N6, Lowered, 22"Wheels, Side Bars. Perfusion Exhaust
E30 M3 Black, S50B32 Engine, 6 Speed Box, Ireland Engineering ARBs & Big Brake Conversion, Lowered, 18"LMs, CF CAI, CF Splitter & Barge Board, ZM3 Quad Exhaust.
VW R32 Gone

lewiehigh91
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Re: Rear suspension

Post by lewiehigh91 » Sat Dec 31, 2016 7:35 am

Seen them on eBay for 50 quid, will they work?

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henrym3
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Re: Rear suspension

Post by henrym3 » Sat Dec 31, 2016 2:33 pm

252378061561 this one is exactly what I used. ebay
E53 X5 4.6is, Carbon Black, LPG, Paddle Shift, Dynavin N6, Lowered, 22"Wheels, Side Bars. Perfusion Exhaust
E30 M3 Black, S50B32 Engine, 6 Speed Box, Ireland Engineering ARBs & Big Brake Conversion, Lowered, 18"LMs, CF CAI, CF Splitter & Barge Board, ZM3 Quad Exhaust.
VW R32 Gone

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Greydog
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Re: Rear suspension

Post by Greydog » Sun Jan 01, 2017 8:59 am

I made up my own from some scrap bits cadged from a local engineering works it did the job fine. As has been said you won't manage without a tool. If you were doing lots then invest in the professional tool. Hopefully once will be enough.
4.6is X5 Estoril Blue (current)
4.4 X5 Sport Topaz Blue LPG (now gone squashed by a tree)
Subaru Outback 3.0 Rn Star Silver (current)
AMG 6.3 CLS Obsidian Black (sold)

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Re: Rear suspension

Post by Moments » Mon Jan 02, 2017 9:48 am

Definitely get the tool or have one made based on a balljoint that you buy. The critical area is where the wheel carrier gets really close to the top of the balljoint - the tool must have a notch or flat so it seats correctly.
I used some penetrating oil, but even then after eleven years the tool needed a lot of force. Get a small brass rotary brush to clean the corrosion from the inside of the wheel carrier too.

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