'nother Newbie Hitch Install
 

Picked up the install kit from Hank Aaron BMW Friday afternoon and started 'bout 10:00 Saturday morning. From backing up on the ramps to driving off was a little over 6 hours. A few things I learned that I didn't know(or completely understand) beforehand:

• There really are only two T55 bolts and two trim screws holding the bumper on. :)
  
• There are two trim screws in each rear wheel well and only the bottom screw in each needs to be removed.
  
• It's a bear locating where the PDC harness enters the body. On our 2002, it's in the passenger side corner.
  
• A pair of small jack stands works well to support the mufflers.
  
• You really need at least two people - preferably three - to pull off and replace the bumper.
  
• A door panel tool works pretty good at removing the "dammit" plastic fasteners. Just work it up under the pin's head and pry up. When the pin pulls up far enough to release the fastener, the whole assembly pops out.
  
• Definitely install the wiring harness before mounting the hitch and be darn sure it's in the right position before bolting the hitch down :tsk:
  
• The mounting tab for the trailer light socket had to be "encouraged" rearward slightly with a 4 ft. pry bar to allow room for the bracket to fit. That was the only "fit" issue that I had.
  
• The vehicle side trailer harness connector has a dummy connector on it that must be removed. Took me five minutes to figure that one out... :confused:

A few observations:

• Yes - the OEM kit is expensive, but IMO, well worth the price now that I've seen it. I've installed at least a half dozen aftermarket hitches over the years, so I know what you get for $150 - $200 and there's no comparison.
  
• This is a big job - I'd definitely recommend getting the help of a couple friends. $500 - $600 labor to get the dealer to do the install is probably not a bad deal.
  
• I found a Stanley Torx bit kit at Wally World that included all three necessary bits for $20. Not Snap-On quality, but at 50 years old, this is the first time that I've ever needed a T55 :)
  
• The little rubber plug with "BMW" on it is so cool! :D

I made a run to Home Depot Saturday evening to pick up some pine bark mulch for the lovely wife. The X did a fine job pulling the trailer. With the light load('bout 1,000 lbs.), the 3.0 hardly noticed.

Thanks to everyone that answered my questions and convinced me to go with the OEM kit. Maybe someone will find my notes useful.

Patrick

Nice job, Patrick!! I added the information to the X5world article on hitch installation - http://www.xoutpost.com/articles.php?...ticle&artid=91

Great write-up Patrick. Glad it went well for you. Smart man to go OEM for that one. Just isn't worth the risks.

Question: Do you notice any gap between the hatch door and the bumper? I think mine appears to be a larger gap than before the hitch. I have searched around but have not found anyone mentioning this, so it may be my feeble brain playing tricks on me.

Thanks

I didn't notice any unusual gap - I'll look again when the lovely wife gets home from work. The X is her daily driver and I'm only allowed to drive it occasionally. :) I followed the DIY instructions to leave the support brackets loose until the T55 bolts had been tightened. Then I had a friend line up the side seams while I tightened down the support bracket bolts. Might have been beginner's luck, but we got a nice even gap on both sides.

Patrick

:mad: Beware of thieves that take the little rubber hitch cover w/ BMW logo. Had mine stolen twice, and thankfully its only about $5 to replace.

Now, I very rarely ride around with it on b/c someone may take it.

Cool. Thanks a bunch :thumbup:

Unless BMW has changed the insert dimensions of “The little rubber plug with BMW” you’ll find that it easily falls out if BMW is right side up or upside down. I’ve tried several of them in my receiver and the only way they securely fit is when BMW is vertical. Additionally, make sure you check it each time the vehicle is washed since the brushes will pull the plug out and leave it on the drive. Go back to any BMW automatic carwash and you’ll see several lying around.

Is nothing sacred?? :wow:

Might look for a way to secure it with the hitch pin if this becomes a problem down here. I was a bit surprised that BMW didn't make it long enough for the pin to pass thru it.

Thanks for the heads-up,
Patrick

It's a press fit - wouldn't be surprised if it shrinks/hardens as it gets older. Hadn't thought about the automatic car wash problem. We rarely use one, but it makes sense that the brushes would pop the plug out. Should be pretty simple mod to allow the hitch pin to secure it.

Hmm...
Patrick

I don't use the auto washes either, but the dealership sneaks one in on me every now and then when they have serviced the X5 and I have had it poped out at least twice.

Took another look at the hitch tonight. The gap all the way around the top of the bumper cover looks even to me. My only guess would be to take a look at the side seams - where the bumper cover meets the quarterpanel on each side from the rear wheel back. If the gap widens toward the rear, you've got some room to adjust it up. If it's even all the way back, it's as good as I know how to make it...

HTH,
Patrick

I'm honored! :thumbup: Glad to be able to give back!

Patrick

Yes it does help. That is what I am seeing... the gap widens slightly going rearward. It is very slight and most would probably not notice it unless I pointed it out... but I know it's there. Thanks for the info, one of these Saturday's I'll get my tools back out and see what I can do with it.

Thanks for following up on it! :D

If I remember from my hitch install several years ago the gap is due to allowing the bumper to "hang down" while tightening it to the hitch frame. I had to loosen it and then hold it up while re-tightening to make the gap even.

I did the OEM hitch install last weekend, too. I have an 04 4.4 with the Sport Package. Here are some pointers that should be helpful to the next person:
1. Before attempting to remove the T55 bolts, loosen the two rear sets of muffler brackets until the exhaust tips just touch the bottom of the opening in the plastic valance. I completely removed the rear-most brackets and backed off the nuts as far as possible on the next brackets forward. This provides more room to get the T55 bit and ratchet above the exhaust tips and into the bolts.
2. The two brackets that supported the original bumper are held in place with three studs/nuts. Looking at the rear of the brackets, you can see the where the studs are welded to the brackets. The nuts are inside the trunk space. You will see rectangular ridges/protrusions in the body running from the vicinity of the brackets to the front of the trunk space. The nuts are above and on either side of the rectangular protrusion. The one above also holds the black bracket. You have to feel around between both sides of the protrusion and the black bracket for the other two.
3. There are heavy plastic sleeves inside the bumper brackets. The T55 bolts pass through them. You will need them for the new bumper.
4. It helped to test fit the new metal bumper on the bumper brackets using the T55 bolts before installing the plastic outer shell. I think this makes it easier to do the final installation.
5. The new bumper can be installed by one person using a tie-down strap (nylon with hooks on either end). I ran the tie-down from one of the rear door supports to the top lip of the metal bumper. I used it to hold one side up while I threaded the plastic outer bumper onto the tongue-and-groove bracket on the other side. Then I removed the tie-down and threaded the other side. Piece of cake!

Thanks to everyone who shared their experiences. They were a huge help to me!

Thanks and nice job. Your additional comments have been added to the Article - http://www.xoutpost.com/articles.php?...ticle&artid=91

Jeff