2001 x5 3.0 replace engine mounts, experience?
 

I saw in pelican website the DIY for the engine mounts, it looks very straightforward and simple that I don't trust it. I did the engine mounts on my 325xi and it's not fun..

Looks like I have to remove the axle shaft on the passenger side to do this? any comments/tips on doing this before?


thanks.

Subscribed. I have the mounts on my to do list. Would love to know members thoughts on the best mounts to order. Any links to DIY videos are welcomed.

Did it last year. For the passenger side, I removed the bracket connected to the engine. Didn't remove the axle shaft. For the driver side, I remove the axle shaft. I supported the engine by a piece of 2x6. Took me awhile though.

Mine need doing and I agree it doesn't look like fun.

I am actually replacing them now. And the main reason for replacing is, because I have the subframe out.. I was originially not planning to do them, but after looking and realizing how painful they are to replace(because of the axles), I decided to shell the money and do them now.

Question for folks that replaced these - Did you replace the torx bolts and lock nuts? I realize lock nuts needs to be replaced, but how about torx bolts?

Use an engine cradle (brace across engine bay) hook the motor by the OFH and lower the subframe down and let it hang via the control arms.

Actually, I'd remove the stiffening plate first, may be able to snake your hands in there and remove the motor mount bolts (I forgot they face upwards), then hang the subframe and see if you can slide them out.

Does anyone have advice on the mounts to buy? Rein and Febi are around $50, Corteco is $75 and Lemforder are upward of $100 and Genuine BMW are $115.

Do you recommend the transmission mounts at the same time?

On my list too, and I know my trans mount needs replacing as well. I was almost sure though there was a thread somewhere that said drives shafts can stay in ??

I just replaced both of the mounts this weekend, it's not that bad compared to my e46 but I did run into some issues why I decided to take the axle shaft out.

My first approach was to remove the subframe since it's only 6 bolts (?) and bought a e-18 socket for it, unfortunately I decided to tackle the tension arm balljoint first while it's up in the air. Well too bad since I sheared off one of the e-12 bolts that holds the balljoint and the easiest way to drill out the remaining bolt is to remove the spindle and eventually the cv axle on the driver side. Fun...

Taking out the passenger side is easy, just lift it up until the fan hit the shroud and remove the engine bracket, there are 4 bolts that attaches to the engine. Once that bracket is removed the mount can be remove and replace easily without touching the mount or the axle.

Driver side is another story, the axle needs to be removed if the engine is raised to clear the engine mount bracket. The fan shroud needs to be removed/loosened such that it will not hit the fan (and break it) The intake duct needs to be removed on the air filter/maf area. I also re-orient the dipstick handle higher and out way such that it will not hit the plastic cover on the cowl. Once the axle is out it will go up as high to allow removal of the mount without prying/loosening the subframe. It will take some finangling to remove the engine mount on this side.

My passenger side mount is definitely bad, little cracks but it's compressed a lot and the bracket is just resting on it. My driver side is just compressed.. both of them seems to be original part.

passenger side engine mount, see the indentation of the bracket
https://scontent.fmkc1-1.fna.fbcdn.n...9c&oe=5B3F3565

passenger side engine bracket to engine mount
https://scontent.fmkc1-1.fna.fbcdn.n...0c&oe=5B470E52


side view comparison
https://scontent.fmkc1-1.fna.fbcdn.n...98&oe=5B37182B

reason why the axle shaft needs to be removed
https://scontent.fmkc1-1.fna.fbcdn.n...86&oe=5B323C8E


my driver side mount
https://scontent.fmkc1-1.fna.fbcdn.n...91&oe=5B001819


https://www.facebook.com/Bmw-e53-2508322126058762/

they definitely were trash. Guess mine will follow suit shortly.