BMW X5: Springs With Suspension

MEASURING RIDE-LEVEL HEIGHT OF VEHICLE

Necessary preliminary tasks:

• Move vehicle into normal position.

Determine actual ride height (A) - to do so, attach tape measure to rim flange (2) at bottom middle and measure to lower edge of wheel arch (1).

Fig. 123: Identifying Ride Height (A)

REMOVING AND INSTALLING / REPLACING REAR LEFT OR RIGHT COIL SPRING

Special tools required:

• 33 5 100
• 33 5 101
• 33 5 102
• 33 5 103
• 33 5 104
• 33 5 105

IMPORTANT: Use spring tensioner 33 5 100 to remove and install the coil spring in order to avoid over elongating the rubber mounts (control arm, guide arm, swinging arm).

WARNING: Observe the following instructions to avoid any risk of injury by the coil springs.

1. Prior to each use, check the special tools for defects, modifications and operational reliability.

2. Damaged/modified special tools must not be used!

3. No changes or modifications may be made to the special tools!

4. These special tools are intended solely for the purpose of tightening and relieving cylindrical and tapered suspension springs.

5. Keep special tools dry, clean and free of grease.

6. Do not compress coil spring to full extent.

7. Observe manufacturer's instructions.

IMPORTANT: Both coil springs on the relevant axle must be replaced only in the event of corrosion breakage! Avoid damaging the coil spring coating.

Necessary preliminary tasks:

• Remove rear wheel.
• Remove stabilizer link from swinging arm.
• Remove rear shock absorber from swinging arm (remove brake hose).
• Lower workshop jack and place to one side.

Removal:

Lever conical cover (1) with a suitable tool out of lower spring pad.

Fig. 124: Identifying Conical Cover

Feed spindle 33 5 103 into coil spring and turn thrust piece 33 5 104 downwards.

Fig. 125: Identifying Spindle (33 5 103) And (33 5 104)

Insert lower spring retainer 33 5 102 into coil spring and turn downwards over spindle 33 5 103.

Fig. 126: Identifying Lower Spring Retainer (33 5 102) And (33 5 103)

Insert upper spring retainer 33 5 101 sideways into coil spring and turn fully upwards.

WARNING: Danger of injury! Align spring tensioner 33 5 100 centrally in order to obtain the largest possible contact surface on the coil spring.

Make sure hexagon cap (1) is correctly seated in upper spring retainer 33 5 101.

Fig. 127: Identifying Hexagon Cap And Upper Spring Retainer (33 5 101)

WARNING: Danger of injury! Make sure coil spring is correctly positioned in spring plates.

Fig. 128: Identifying Coil Spring Position In Spring Plates

WARNING: Danger of injury! Make sure detent pin (1) is correctly positioned in recesses of lower spring retainer 33 5 102.

Fig. 129: Identifying Detent Pin And Lower Spring Retainer (33 5 102)

Check installation position of spring tensioner (33 5 100 ), correct if necessary.

NOTE: Make sure there is sufficient clearance (A = 7 cm) between spindle 33 5 103 and lower spring pad.

Tension coil spring using special tool 33 5 105; if necessary, grip coil spring.

Fig. 130: Identifying Clearance Between Spindle (33 5 103) And Lower Spring Pad

Turn coil spring through A = 30º in counterclockwise direction.

Press wheel carrier downwards a little and remove coil spring sideways.

Fig. 131: Turning Coil Spring

Remove upper spring pad (1) from coil spring, check for damage and replace if necessary.

If necessary, relieve tension on coil spring.

Fig. 132: Identifying Upper Spring Pad And Upper Section

Installation:

Check lower spring pad (1) for damage.

IMPORTANT: Make sure spring pad is correctly installed in order to prevent the coil spring from jumping out.

If necessary, lever out upper section (2) with a suitable tool and replace spring pad with upper section.

Fig. 133: Identifying Lower Spring Pad And Upper Section

IMPORTANT: Make sure spring pad is correctly installed in order to prevent the coil spring from jumping out.

Install upper spring pad (1) in locator or frame side member and turn clockwise as far as it will go.

Fig. 134: Identifying Spring Pad

IMPORTANT: Make sure coil spring is correctly seated in spring pads.

Insert coil spring with spring tensioner 33 5 100 between upper and lower spring pads and relieve tension.

Relieve tension on spring tensioner 33 5 100 and remove.

Fig. 135: Identifying Spring Tensioner (33 5 100)

After installation:

• Check headlight adjustment , correct if necessary.

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