DIY: E53 Rear CV Joint Regrease, the Simple Way!

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DIY: E53 Rear CV Joint Regrease, the Simple Way!

- I regreased the REAR CV Joint of my E39 (1998 BMW 528i at 160K miles), when the REAR CV Joint made the “clanking noise” when switching from Reverse to 1st gear.

- Anyway, the job was a nightmare in the E39 simply b/c of rusty exhaust bolts. I wrote a DIY for the E39, please consult that first for tips/tricks:

DIY: 1998 528i (160K miles) Giubo, CSB, Rear CV Joint Re-grease - Bimmerfest - BMW Forums

- The E53 (2006 BMW X5 6sp-MT) developed the clanking noise at 125K miles, much sooner than the E39, probably b/c the E53 is heavier.

- I decided to regrease REAR CV Joint in the E53 X5 using the “easy way”.
- The E53 is much easier since you don’t have to remove the exhaust system.
- Since the Giubo is still good at 125K miles, and I was not in the mood to undo those Giubo bolts, I did it the “easy way”.

- The CSB has slight play but no noise during driving, so I did not replace it. Maybe at 160K, I will replace both the Giubo and CSB, but that is for later, a few years from now.

- Put X5 on 4 wood ramps as shown. Car in 1st Gear, Parking Brake on.

- Heat Shield: this is optional, you cannot remove it with the exhaust in place but you can undo the mounting screws and let the heat shield drop down.

- Undo the six (6) 16-mm nuts. You can do the bottom 4 nuts and need to rotate the DS a bit to get to the other 2 nuts. Either lift up one rear tire (car in neutral, be careful, car can move if parking brale not good, make sure you chock the tires!) or drive the car forward about 6-8 inches. Whatever, observe safety and make sure the car does not roll on you!!!

- For torque values, look them up online. I believe Giubo torque is 74 ft*lb. I don’t know the torque for the REAR CV 16-mm nuts, but I just tightened nice and tight lol. Mark the 2 halves just in case, this is optional but I don’t want vibration later.

- Mark the CSB so you place it back in the same spot later (it is called “preload”). Remove the two (2) 13-mm bolts and let the DS hang down. This will allow the REAR CV Joint to be separated enough to inject grease in there.

- NOTE: Paper Gasket is #18 and the Metal Cover is #19. You don’t need to completely separate the 2 halves (which requires removing the Giubo), all you care is enough space to inject grease.

- Wedge the CV Joint as shown, then use a small screwdriver to gently lift the Metal Cover a bit.

- I didn’t have the grease gun but you should use a grease gun. I simply used a coffee stirrer or screwdriver and insert the grease inside. You will notice that after some 125K miles, the grease is kind of “liquidy” and not “soapy”, thus the clanking sound. If you have a syringe, I guess you can use it to inject grease. Whatever suits you. BTW, clean the outside first to avoid introducing dirt inside.

- You can get this whole thing done in 1 hour.

- Anyway, this is a nice and easy way to get rid of the clanking noise without the need to remove the driveshaft.