Another DIY hitch install (OEM)

[BX5]

This seems to become a popular sport, now that they're back in stock.

Even though, I'm far from being mechanically declined, it took me a lot longer than the 4-5 hours mentioned by other X5 owners. All in all, it took 11 hours
Not having worked on cars in a long time may have contributed.

Here's what took the most time:

• Getting the muffler lowered is tricky in itself: I go to some of the fasteners only by reaching through the hitch cover, but once the hitch was on, it was impossible to tighten them to spec (how to get to them with a tool? I did get a deep-socket, but still no space to work the socket)
• I did not find the T55 brass screws for a while. I was looking from underneath the car, whereas you need to be outside (still on your back), to see them, they're at the end of the exhaust tips, and in case of the 4.8 tips, super hard to get to. There was simply not enough room to fully drive them out. I guess, two different T55 bit sizes (length wise) would help.
• The passenger side M16x40 that needs to be put in above the muffler didn't fit at all. I took numerous attempts pushing and shoving to finally get that one screw in.

A few tips:

• Covering the chrome exhaust tips with cloth during the procedure helps keeping the chrome from getting scratched
• Those trim fasteners:
  I used this Nylon Pry Bar Installer Kit ($4.99) to get them removed:
  
  Reinstalling required a bit more effort as some of them were in tight places.
  Did anyone else notice that there is one more hole with the new bar then you have fasteners from the removal process?
• I did not need a T45, only a T50 and a T55 socket.
• I had two people help me to get the bumper back on. One on each side and myself in the middle to get the PDC wiring harness installed correctly.

Before:


After:


-BX5