E53 Front and rear suspension torque specs

[oldskewel]

Data check ...

I'm wrapping up my rear alignment today, and the two associated torque values shown above do not match what I'm finding in my Bentley. Can someone confirm that I am reading these correctly?

The rear camber eccentric bolt attaches on the rear inner corner of the swing arm (lower control arm). Bentley says torque value is 165 Nm [122 ft-lb]. The above annotated diagram shows "73 / 100", so 100 Nm. It is an M14 bolt with an 18mm hex head on the bolt and a 21 mm hex nut.

The rear toe eccentric bolt attaches on the inner end of the rear suspension forward upper control arm = "guide link" = "traction arm". Torque here is a little more complicated since it is not possible to fit a conventional torque wrench in that small gap. Bentley says torque value is 100 Nm [74 ft-lb] (i.e., the actual torque at the nut+bolt) and if using the BMW special tool (probably a torque extension attachment to the torque wrench), the torque is 59 Nm [44 ft-lb]. The above annotated diagram shows "41 / 56", so 56 Nm. I'm not worried about the 56 vs. 59, but 56 vs. 100 is more of a concern. It is an M12 bolt with an 18 mm hex head on the bolt and the nut.

Also on that guide link, on the ball joint (outer / wheel carrier) end, the Bentley shows torque as 56 Nm [42 ft-lb]. Vs. the 59 Nm as shown in the annotated diagram.

Here are scans from the E53 Bentley. Same info in two different places, one for alignment, one for rear suspension. Bentley is self consistent here.





So in summary, if I believe the diagram, I'd do 100 Nm on the camber bolt, 56 Nm on the guide link eccentric bolt, and 59 Nm on the guide link ball joint nut.

But following Bentley, those numbers are 165, 100, and 56. I'll be doing the Bentley numbers unless someone tells me I'm reading things wrong. Thanks.