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

[e30cabrio]

I bought a used hitch on eBay. It is a mess.What is the best way to refurbish it?


I assume sand, primer & paint what I mean is what materials are most likely to restore it?

[e30cabrio]

I need fasteners. BMW says:
There are no part numbers listed separately for these parts so we cannot order them. They would only come with the Hitch kit itself.


Anyone know how I can get them? Especially the ones here:

[JCL]

I would think you would want to sandblast or bead it, then have it powder coated.

The bolts are all listed as to length and diameter in the instructions. Just order from a bolt supplier that has metric items.

Your picture doesn't show the bumper carrier, did you get that as well? Or are you ordering it separately? I think it is one of the only items that is listed as a separate part on realoem.

[e30cabrio]

I found the carrier also on eBay and asked about it using the part number listed. (51128250415)

Here is the response:

"The 415 bumper carrier is only for Euro market X5’s, the US uses the carrier ending in 416, but that is used with or without a trailer hitch, so you already have that part".

I'll look into PC but was not planning on going that far. I figured I could use my air tool to wire brush it and then primer & paint.

Thanks.

[JCL]

I don't have the part numbers handy, but when I did my X5 hitch I had to replace the bumper carrier. I believe the reason is that the mounting locations are slightly different when using the collapsible shocks, vs the similar shaped brackets put in to replicate that mounting structure. Perhaps the mounting location is the same, and the only reason for the new carrier was to strengthen the bumper because of the removal of the collapsible shocks, but be prepared to find out when you mount the hitch.

Also, I recall a change in the hitch sometime after 2003 when I did mine, involving spacer plates on the pentagon shaped brackets. Maybe that was to shift the mounting points for the bumper such that the original carrier still worked, I don't know.

[e30cabrio]

I guess this means 16th week of 02? My car is 12/02 build so hopefully I get a break.


Thanks

[Gregory891]

The major difference between the Euro & US bumper carrier (metal beam inside the rear plastic bumper cover) is an additional reinforcing metal plate on the US version. It will interfere with the Westfalia (BMW supplier for the factory hitch / tow bar) set-up.

This is why you have the Euro part number part in the US hitch set-up (new retrofit). Otherwise you take an angle grinder and cut the plate out and Weatherite or Rustoleum paint the parts.

[admranger]

JCL's is the best way to do it, but you could use POR 15 or other rust 'converting' chemical, then painting with some spray paint (I like the new 'hammered' look paints, but basic gloss black is probably a good choice).

[e30cabrio]

Thanks.

[AquilaBMW]

You will need that bumper carrier. The stock US or current one won't work with that hitch.