Time to change the tires...........

[LeiZ]

Thanks a lot, RB. Sounds a DIYable job for me. Is there any way to check if it's still good or on its way out? Town Fair Tire just confirmed they can do it, both Front and Rear. $69.99. Dealer? $169.99.

Originally Posted by Ricky Bobby

I wouldn't go to the dealer then, but that is just me. Way overpriced and they could care less about our 10-13 year old E53's, the dealer would rather we be leasing a new Bimmer. Just my experience, an indy shop with a good Hawkeye Elite machine can dial the alignment in as you want it, all other measurements should be in spec but you should get the toe close to zero in the rear.

For the rear wishbone, if you take the rear wheel off its extremely easy as its right in front of you, just unbolt the old and bolt in the new. Probably takes more time to unclip the plastic piece that routes the brake line and ABS sensor than to replace the actual wishbone arm.

This is what the wishbone looks like:



As for the ball joint here is a video of the removal/install:

BMW 5 Series (E39) 1997-2003 - Rear ball joint DIY, how to remove and install - YouTube

Special tool is needed as it will make the job 10x easier, and to be honest you can probably use a Harbor Freight tool but at $130 this tool is not too expensive and probably sellable/rentable to someone on the forums when you are done.

BMW Rear Ball Joint Bushing Tool E38 E39 E52 E53 E60 E61 E63 E64 E65 E66 E67 E70 | eBay

[nebilex]

Originally Posted by LeiZ

Thanks a lot, RB. Sounds a DIYable job for me. Is there any way to check if it's still good or on its way out? Town Fair Tire just confirmed they can do it, both Front and Rear. $69.99. Dealer? $169.99.

Town fair tire can do the alignment? the one by me told me they don't do the alignment on all german cars because it has specific things the car needs... something about full thank of gas and some other weight in order to properly do the alignment.

[LeiZ]

What they said was correct. You have to have 60kg on both driver side and mid back seat, plus a full tank of gas. But by adjusting the toe and camber, their equipment is good enough to do it.

They just did mine. $75 after tax. Now it's back to straight again. I did asked the guy to change the toe to zero all round, of course out of spec by BMW std.

Originally Posted by nebilex

Town fair tire can do the alignment? the one by me told me they don't do the alignment on all german cars because it has specific things the car needs... something about full thank of gas and some other weight in order to properly do the alignment.

[davintosh]

Originally Posted by nebilex

Town fair tire can do the alignment? the one by me told me they don't do the alignment on all german cars because it has specific things the car needs... something about full thank of gas and some other weight in order to properly do the alignment.

Some alignment shops just have an irrational fear of German cars. I got the same runaround when I first looked for an alignment on my e32; "We don't have the special weights that BMW requires for an alignment." The funny part of that is the only thing that's adjustable on the e32 is toe in/out on the front wheels. What? No wrenches that can adjust tie rods?