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5 Series Beamer

Diary of a Second Hand 15 year old Beamer (Maintenance - Battery Drain included...,
BMW E39 520i year 2000 Engine 1995cc)
M Series.

 

fig. Boot - Rear Fuse Cluster

Strut & Control Arms (continued saga)

Ok it's Saturday and one not to let a strut beat me, as it did in day 1, I decided to have another attempt this time the O/S front strut as I still needed to replace the plastic gaiter and rubber.   This strut came off easier than the other one, as I was more familiar with the process. To my disappointment I did find I did have a mismatch pair of struts they were not made by the same manufacturer, (Sach & Monroe) however were compatable and fortunately when inspected I found the coil spring wasn't sitting correctly so any shortfalls with the difference in the strut was made up on the re-positioning of the spring, allowing the spring to seat correctly. I did need to drop a couple of the control arms and noticed a number on them needing replacement as they had damaged rubbers around the ball joints. I left the track rod ends attached as not to adjust the tracking,  with close inspection they seemed to be in reasonable condition.  The spring compressors worked well first time and the new rubber and gaiters were fitted. With the absence of the strut and spring unit, from the wheel well, gave me the opportunity to rub off the rust on the brake pipes with a wire brush, treat and underseal both undersides O/S & N/S of the wheel wells, on completion, refitting the strut and spring unit back to the vehicle, bolted, greased upper wing hub bearing and job done.  

One Control Arm needed to be returned for replacement as the rubber on the balljoint was badly damaged for some reason.... fortunately I received the replacement within a few days and was ready for the second attempt at the O/S Strut.

fig. New Control Arms

Source - fig.  Detaching the Strut and the Spring

Source - fig.  Compressed Spring as on my model

SAFETY FIRST - This process was nerve racking enough and if not focussed, one risked having one's head detached from one's shoulders, kill a flock of birds or down an aeroplane one could have the ballistic missile, one could also knock out a refuse truck. I found lying the spring horizontally along the ground to be the safer option than the vertical position, making sure there was nothing in front or at the back of the spring, palms flat on the spring and not inbetween the spring. This is an accident waiting to happen so, caution no destractions from dog, cats, kids, girlfriend or wife/husband!

Source - fig.  Compressing the Spring - Sport low spring version

fig. Source -
Replacement
Gaiter and Rubber -
eBay Mapco (2 pair)     £13.82

Contents Page

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12

Workshop

See Resources for notes Step-by-Step Guide

Note: Rubber Stop - Round End Top

Workshop/Diary - Suspension

Note: Varied front strut springs are available for this model E39:

14

Mine!

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