E53 Front and rear suspension torque specs

[SpookX5]

I was trying to find all torque specs for the rear suspension in one quick overview but did not find it. So I created one myself and included the front suspension too.

All torque specs come from newtis.info.

First number is in Ft lbs / second number is Nm.

All bushings with rubber in them should be torqued under load with the wheels on the ground.

FRONT:


REAR:


After you're done torque the wheel bolts to 103ft lbs / 140Nm.

[andrewwynn]

Nice diagrams


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro

[Overboost]

Very helpful. Should be a sticky.

[crystalworks]

Originally Posted by Overboost

Very helpful. Should be a sticky. :thumbu:

Seconded

[McBegby]

Absolute legend, thank you for this! I’ve been in a world of pain trying to find these. This could do with sticky ��

[puddinboo]

Awsome ,very handy, thank you.

2003 BMW X5 E53 M54 engine,253512KM

[StephenVA]

Just a quick search pulled up 319 posting seeking torque specs for X5. Most are for the common items like the OP mentions.

Yes, this needs to be a sticky

[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.

[andrewwynn]

Advised torque for M10.9 class bolts (what most suspension gear is made from)


M14: 202 N·m
M12: 123 N·m

(That's for medium not course pitch).

The variance for the torque is not difficult to calculate you don't need a extra special tool if you can get a wrench on it or a socket with breaker bar you can use a few options.

1. Use a breaker bar and a spring scale (think weigh a fish) for some old school foot-pounds.

2. Use a 1/2" wrench with a low profile socket adapter to adapt to the size needed. You do a little math to figure out the ratio of torque read to actual torque. (you can also use this method to read CCW torque on a CW only torque wrench

2.1 to figure out the ratio you measure the length of your torque wrench (to the handle pivot) to the length of handle pivot to the center off the extension. Example: if tq wrench effective length is 15" and your 1/2" wrench is 5" long the ratio is 20:15 or 4:3. You will torque to 4/3 of the set value: set to 3/4 of what you need or 75 to get 100. If you can put the adapter at a 90° angle off the torque wrench you can set to what you need.

3. Practice. Tighten a large bolt to the torque you need eg lug bolt that is similar torque. Do that 5-10x and get used to how much effort/pain that is in your finger tips. You will be able to repeat with muscle memory pretty close.

Those 59 etc numbers are for use with the special tool that ratios the torque wrench.

You can safely tighten 10.9 bolts to the advised torque listed above. BMW sets slightly lower for a safety margin (or possibly using slightly weaker steel).

M9.8 steel:

M14: 155 N·m
M12: 97 N·m

[oldskewel]

Good info on how to torque.

Sounds like my reading of the Bentley is correct, and those numbers listed in post #1 are wrong. Maybe it should be updated if people hope to use this as an accurate reference?

BTW, this is why it is far far better to have all torque values listed in a diagram, so there is no confusion over what bolts are being discussed when they list names and numbers ... exactly the point of the diagram @SpookX5 made. I see he references newtis.info vs. I got the info from Bentley (and also, based on the bolt sizes the higher Bentley numbers make sense, and also nothing snapped so far for me ).