What's broken on your E53 today!

[Scott ZHP]

Looks like I need to replace the double u-joint lower steering shaft. I have an 01, and the lower piece isn't available anymore, so I have to use the upper+lower from the later models. Debating if I want to DIY, or take it somewhere.

I don't really have the time to spare at the moment. The upper bit goes through the firewall into the cabin, so I'm guessing some interior bits need to come out to get at the coupling inside. Anyone done the whole shaft, and not just the lower joint? Ballpark estimate of labor involved? I'm guessing the dealer will want $1500 or so. Probably more as they mark up parts about 20% over full retail.

Are there index marks on the top/bottom so it's self aligning?

[X53Jay4.8is]

Originally Posted by Scott ZHP

Looks like I need to replace the double u-joint lower steering shaft. I have an 01, and the lower piece isn't available anymore, so I have to use the upper+lower from the later models. Debating if I want to DIY, or take it somewhere.

I don't really have the time to spare at the moment. The upper bit goes through the firewall into the cabin, so I'm guessing some interior bits need to come out to get at the coupling inside. Anyone done the whole shaft, and not just the lower joint? Ballpark estimate of labor involved? I'm guessing the dealer will want $1500 or so. Probably more as they mark up parts about 20% over full retail.

Are there index marks on the top/bottom so it's self aligning?

Scott what kind of mileage do you have on your X5?

[Scott ZHP]

Originally Posted by X53Jay4.8is

Scott what kind of mileage do you have on your X5?

156k miles; bought it new.

Symptoms include a clunk when making a slow speed tight left turn. I recently replaced both halfshafts, both tierods and all of the front suspension bits, including ball joints, control arms and tension struts and swaybar links. All were torqued to spec under load, and double checked by my dealer when I had it aligned.

I thought maybe the belly pan bolts were loose; I reused them (yeah, I know) and loc-tited them. They were torqued too; and don't seem to be loose, but I suppose that might be the problem. I crawled under it Sunday and re-torqued them about another 45deg; still have clunk.

[admranger]

Originally Posted by Scott ZHP

156k miles; bought it new.

Symptoms include a clunk when making a slow speed tight left turn. I recently replaced both halfshafts, both tierods and all of the front suspension bits, including ball joints, control arms and tension struts and swaybar links. All were torqued to spec under load, and double checked by my dealer when I had it aligned.

I thought maybe the belly pan bolts were loose; I reused them (yeah, I know) and loc-tited them. They were torqued too; and don't seem to be loose, but I suppose that might be the problem. I crawled under it Sunday and re-torqued them about another 45deg; still have clunk.

Strut upper bearings going bad or the strut shaft nut loose?

[Scott ZHP]

Originally Posted by admranger

Strut upper bearings going bad or the strut shaft nut loose?

I'll check the struts, good idea. Thanks.

[X53Jay4.8is]

Originally Posted by admranger

Strut upper bearings going bad or the strut shaft nut loose?

Good call I would recommend this to. I just finished rebuilding my front suspension which included new sachs struts with the H&R lowering springs. When I removed the upper bearing/strut mount and inspected it, I was surprised to see the amount of deterioration that occurred with the rubber in the mount. While I did not have any noise it was just a matter of time before it would show itself.