Today, I went to roll down the windows to feel the nice fall weather down here in the South, and heard the wonderful sound of the right rear window crashing down into the door. :) I've had this thing for 2000 miles and I think I've experienced every single common problem with the E53. Lucky me!

^I got one too. LF DHC failed. My first one in 22 years of owning BMWs. And actually, I'm going to say the streak is still alive because it actually broke on someone who was borrowing the X5. So, logically, I have yet to actually break a DHC. Haha

BTW, despite Andrew's wonderful documentation I was unable to repair with a steel zip tie. Wasted about 3 hours fiddling with it last night. Ordered $54 shipped Febi from FCP this morning. Should have done that to begin with.

Attachment 80937

I think my Left rear has semi-destructed. It feels like the hinge has worked loose in the 3-4 years since i rebuilt it, but since it's strapped together it still functions just takes a lot more than normal effort (like when it's about to break the first time, but stays working dirt months).

I'd be interested in that core to do a repair if possible and maybe I can make a video for future folk. It's only easy if you get the tricks all figured out.

Three was A lot of cursing involved figuring out the tricks. The spring is at least 8/10 difficulty until you learn the trick and then it's 4/10.

You will spend at least an hour having the spring snap the hinge open on you countless times (hence the swearing).

I didn't pinch my finger but I've had my finger get a direct snap from that spring and it's a MFr that will cause much swearing.

Thanks for sharing a real world kicked your butt story we all have them.

I'm on round three of replacing PVC drain pipes due to stubborn seams that keep failing pressure test!

I used the metal zip tie on a new DHC for the Drivers door. Worked pretty good for over 3 years. Hasn’t needed replacement yet.

Oh for sure. I will reinforce with a zip tie as well. I bet the handles lasts longer than I do after that.

I have to have all the door panels and vapor barriers off for door deadening and speaker installation so I'll probably reinforce all the carriers before they break. Probably save myself from ever having to do a DHC on this X5 in the future. That's the hope anyway. :D

I can send it your way for sure.

Oddly enough, the easy part for me was to get everything seated back in, spring included. That only took about 15 minutes of fiddling until I got the pliers on it. I spent 2+ hours trying different methods of getting the zip tie tight enough. Between pulling/levering more of it to pull through to wedging different size objects in there to take up the slack. :dunno:

Made some more room for the camber adjustment bolt in rear right. Now the car looks much more nicer from rear as camber is even. :D
-1.35 degree on both sides.

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/yC...IcvZVx3Ww=w768

I replaced the rear subframe bushings today. It was super easy with the custom press tool! I had a clunk when first starting to accelerate from a stop and I thought this would cure it, but honestly, the old bushings look alright. I replaced them anyway but I don’t have high hopes for curing the clunk after I get it back on the road :( I guess I’ll try the motor mounts next!

What did you do to / for your E53 today??
 

Recording of clunk? If from rear the transmission mounts are suspect

What is this custom press tool you speak of??

Maybe “customized” is a better word. Haha. There’s a bunch of variations out there, but I used this one from Amazon. The dies are specifically sized and their surfaces have cut outs that match the rear subframe bushings.

Supercrazy Rear Suspension Subframe Bushing Removal Installation Tool Compatible with BMW X5 E53 1999-2007 https://www.amazon.com/dp/B017F4NVBI...ing=UTF8&psc=1