FYI for anyone doing this job and battling the tension strut removal, one of the free tools at autozone (SKU is 27016) will do the job perfectly. It's a little tricky to get it in position but works very nicely even without removing anything else.
Here's the link. https://www.autozone.com/loan-a-tool...ype/555623_0_0
and a youtube video (short) I did years ago. I used this same tool a few weeks ago and this time I just cranked it good and snug and left it for 20 seconds, cranked it a little more. Once it was good and tight, eventually it gave way on both sides without having to continue torquing the ever-living hell out of it like in that youtube vid.
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2005 X5 3.0i - 71k mi (9.2018) -> 81k (9.2019) -> 100k (9.2021) -> 123k (8.2025)
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SOLD : 2003 X5 3.0 - 177k mi (9.2018) -> 186k (9.2019) -> 205k (9.2021)
SOLD : 1997 328is Coupe - Hellrot Red
SOLD : 1988 528e w/ Bullseye s256 / MS2 Extra / GC Coilovers / Yukon Coils ~ 300+ HP
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