Nice work and great write up!

I would think there would be some stress on the exhaust hangers? Did you consider loosening them as well?

Funny your wife wanted to witness you crawling under a suspended engine.... If I did that the job would be suspended....indefinitely! At any rate, I'd opt for a jack stand under either side of the sub-frame. Those engine support bars make me nervous.

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2003 4.4i black ext./black int./black headliner (kid's runabout)
2014 535d X-drive, M package, silver/black interior

Sold but not forgotten:
2009 E70 35d, black ext./black int./black headliner (sold 2021)
2006 4.8iS Le Mans blue/cream int./black headliner, SOLD in 2012 sadly...

Other hardware:
2015 Cayenne S (wife's new DD and definitely wroooommmmm)
2016 Tundra 1794 edition crew cab, luxo hauler
2005 Tundra crew cab, weekend hauler. Sold after 150k very happy miles.