Thanks. I think the car spent most of its life in and around Cambridge (UK). We have 5 bmw's in the family and I work on my friend's cars too - two 2002 E46, a 2006 e92 a 2007 130 and 2005 E46s too. All have lived outside in London/Cambridge - and while one of the 2002 E46s was a total bastd - the X5 is on another level re corroded and rusted fixings! I had to buy a replacement front under protection bar as mine fell apart when I removed the undertray! Also have big rust holes in the boot where, on an E46/90 the battery would go. The rest of the car is good though - and the engine is really strong!

Yep - I'd removed the swing arm bolt and upper control arms so the hub could pivot out as I used the puller to effectively push the hub towards me off the axle. Genuinely reaffirmed my belief in a deity when I managed (eventually) tonremove the handbrake cable!