2002 X5 Curt or Dalan Hitch Install

[Puddlejumper]

Well after some research I decided to install the Curt Hitch. It arrived three days after ordering from truckexpressions. The instructions don't apply to all years and there are some hardware ommisions from the Fastenal bag. For a US 2002 you will need to pick up qty 4 M10X1.5 bolts, 4 washers and 4 nuts. The Fastenal bag includes qty 4 1 inch bolts but no nuts. The included 1 inch bolts in my opinion are not long enough nor are there any nuts included and only one set of washers.

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Remove the carpeted vertical panel and left aft black tray, 3 plastic nuts.

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Remove the right side carpeted vertical panel, aft black plastic tray, and then remove the black plastic pocket under tray. Its a total of five plastic nuts 10mm.

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Now remove the bumper. Remove both left and right side lower wheelwheel bolts(not pictured). Remove the snap-in trim rings around both exhaust tips. Remove the left and right T55 bolts as pictured. Unsnap the underside of bumber(like 5 teeth) and the wheel wheel liner may also need to be seperated. Pull straight back on the bumper to remove, be ready its akward when it wants to twist forward.

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Remove both absorbers. Remove the NUT pictured above from the left and right side black back plate. Do not remove any of the left or right 4 bolts with white paint. Under the back plate there are 2 NUTS, remove these from both the left and right side, for a grand total of 6. I think they are 13mm.

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Remove the bumber carrier(crossmember). Remove the qty 8 T45 bolts then remove the 2 13mm bolts from the underside center of the crossmember.

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Remove the studs from the absorbers. Remove three from both the left and right absorbers by striking them with hammer from backside. They are just pressed in, trust me. They have been painted after being pressed in and thats what gives the appearance that they are soldered/welded, but they are not.

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Drill out the three holes in each absorber with a 1/2 inch bit. I used the old crossmember as a workbench by clamping the absorber to it. The holes in the old crossmember are already wider than 1/2 inch.

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Now install hitch and absorbers. First install hitch by the two inside lower bolt holes, one on left side and one on right side. Use the supplied nuts and bolts for this. Now install absorber over the hitch. Use the largest diameter bolt and nut supplied for the top hole on left and right absorber. For the last two holes Curt supplied qty 4 M10 1inch bolts and 4 washers and NO NUTS. That didn't work for me. I went to ACE and purchased qty 4 M10X1.5 bolts, 4 nuts, 4 washers. I bought the 1.5 inch bolts because the 1 inch were just barely long enough to get the nut on. Additional tip I couldn't find washers large enough in M10 size, but they had them in 3/8.(note: in the 1st of these 2 pictures it can be seen where the extra washers go. They only supplied me with washers for the inside under the back plate, so thats why you need longer bolts and extra washers.) Reinstall Bumber. Your Done.

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This is just my experience with the install. I am not responsible for anything resulting from its use. However I can tell you I pulled a lot of heavy stuff at the farm and I don't think twice about it, but its just my opinion.

[bimmerFanatic]

This is a great guide! I also went the Curt way. Once I was inside, I couldn't remove the studs off my abosorbers...they were welded in. So I had to finish the install without reinforced bolts. I'm only using it for my bike rack and never intended on towing anything so I'm fine...I wouldn't dare tow anything without replacing the studs.

[Puddlejumper]

Yes runningaround your thread is what encouraged me to go with the Curt in the first place. I am not disappointed.

[tanline]

Very good thread - definitely convinced me to do it myself with the Curt Hitch on my 2001 BMW X5. Took about 3+ hours by myself - so definitely doable since I am not that mechanical... Should have listened to puddlejumper on the 4 M10 bolts and nuts and bought the ones he recommended before I started - not sure why Curt Mfg did not include the nuts or longer bolts. the washers they included though worked fine for me. Also I would never have figured out how to hammer out the old bolts from the absorbers if it wasn't for this thread. Thanks!

BTW - the pictures in puddlejumper's post no longer shows up?

[Puddlejumper]

I updated the pics and stuff. I didn't realize they were not being hosted any longer. Hope it helps somebody.

[Sonett43]

great write-up, inspires me to do the same, any experiences with the wiring?