BMW X5 E53 DIY OEM Hitch Installation Notes and factory installation PDF

[Riggodeaux]

Nice pix! Older, large dogs make great supervisors for shade-tree mechanics; always encouraging, never get bored. Yours' found the perfect supervisory location. Far superior to "significant others" in this role, from my experience ......

Junky, when I pull my old bumper cross member, I'll be happy to sell it to you, at a reasonable price, so you have a matching pair .... I do expect you to cover the shipping charge.

[e30cabrio]

I'll give you mine for shipping so you have 3 of a kind!

[admranger]

Originally Posted by Junkycosmos

Bumper alignment/reinstall: I left the four long bolts bumper that hold the new bumper U tube brackets only finger tight until after I had bumper reinstalled. In other words, put the bumper on boxes to correct height, open tail gate, slide bumper onto side mounts, get one side lined up and put the two small screws by wheels. Repeat on other side as it will have popped out. Now install the two long bumper bolts from ground up (lift up the bumper up snug before you tighten). Now go into trunk and tighten the nuts for the four bumper bracket bolts while lifting the bumper up.

Anyone want to buy my "hitch delete kit" ? What did the rest of you do with your old bumper parts?

Hmmm, I installed my hitch quite some time ago and I am having difficulty visualizing your alignment bolts…can you snap a pic when you get a chance of the ones you are talking about. Yes, I have a slight alignment issue I'd like to deal with…

The hitch delete kit was recycled at the local recycle yard.

[e30cabrio]

I got the antirust agent Monday, applied yesterday.


Forgot to take a before. but here is the PN sticker that was over the rust.




There was some rust around the pin on both supports.

[e30cabrio]

80 or 90 mm bolts for the front frame support?

The 80 is in in the picture.

[e30cabrio]

Picked up the hitch. Looks new.

[e30cabrio]

I started in on the hitch. As$hats that did the aftermarket hitch used a 19mm bolt on the passenger side that was a hassle to get out and 45mm torx on the driver side that will not come out.

[e30cabrio]

Got the f00ker out. It was totally the wrong bolt. What should have taken 20 minutes, has taken over 2 hours.

Wrong one on left. Head is too big, got stuck on bumper.

I was thinking I could just install the electrical connector & call it good, I know now I cannot trust that hitch.

[e30cabrio]

Bumper & hitch off. What a pita the aftermarket hitch was.

[HuskerX5]

I have read most all of the posts. I have to ask, I have had a BMW OE E53 Hitch on order for over 1.5 years and have not received one. I was told they are or back order and will be in stock "In the next few months". Still, I read that some of you are able to source them or pick them up at the dealership. Can someone who has received an OE hitch in the past year tell me what they did to get one of these.
I am aware that the complete hitch kit comes with the wiring harness, hitch, all the mounting hardware etc. and that is what I'm looking to buy. I don't want to buy it piece by piece unless that is the only way.
Thanks in advance for any replies.