Yeah, haven't gone for the "Hail Mary" yet. I can see the problem and need to sort that out before shoving that joint out at an angle. I tried moving forward anyway but once the bolt got tight I stopped because don't want to damage my press or carrier so I will get that sorted first.

Grinder or a bandsaw will cut a little more off that flat side


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Just a little grinding on the flat edge of the tool for it to sit straight and she came right out. Rear is done other than putting it down and torquing all the bolts at ride height. Moved to the front and got the bearing out and pressed back in with little trouble other than the axle remover press I got didn't fit the X5 hub but luckily the axle came right out.

A little nervous pressing the bearing out, Holy **** that was tight. My 20 ton press jumped an inch with a loud bang when it finally started to move. I can't imagine doing that on the car with the kits they offer with the stud. I can see now what Andrew means when you need to go with a 3/4" stud to replace the stripped 1/2". I can't see how that would possibly have moved with that tool.

You are going to be in utter shock the first time you drive it after all this. Mine was like a totally different vehicle! Congratulations on the progress


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Thanks! It has been an effort. My pit crew would be laughing at me for all the blood, grease and difficulty this was for me. :rofl:

Honestly though all the parts that came off were decent looking and feeling to me, even the ball joints seemed fine but at 176,000 miles there has to be wear for sure.

Here is the bounty of replaced components.

Are you skipping front ball joints and bushings?


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I replaced all the front arms and ball joints a year ago when I did the rear upper arms. The reason I did the front bearing was the idiots at my Indy that replaced my front axles bent the front hub somehow banging out the old axles and the wheel hub centric was out of round and had a slight shimmy in the steering wheel over 65MPH.

That's when I decided to start trying to do this stuff myself so I know it gets done right. :thumbup:

https://xoutpost.com/attachments/x5-...124_122922.jpg

The stock kits have 3/4 push rod. It needs to be 7/8 minimum I used 1”.

The BANG is exactly what happened my first couple but since I use impact now I can’t hear the bang from the bearing.

I have two bearing jobs in the queue. Left front on my E53 and right rear on an E90. I’m going to try to use some off the shelf parts to do the press to give some DIY ideas for others.

And finished. Had the alignment done, torqued all the bolts and a new set of rear Conti 315s. 3 complete days but happy to have it behind me. Happy dance. :strut:

Fantastic.



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