I just realized, i have this. Lol.
http://m.sears.com/index-g.html#/pro...1192011x000001

Is that TOP STRUT BOLT 22mm or 21mm? And are the 4.8is the same as the 3.0s?

I fit a 22mm socket over it on my 4.8 and it felt rather loose. Didnt feel snug as if its kind of too big and I needed a 21mm.

mine is 21mm, 2004 3.0i

The OP's car is a 2002, which is the pre-facelift. Maybe that's why its 22mm?

I will try to fit a 21mm over mine to confirm.

It is 21mm.

Sorry about that, when I looked at the BMP Design website it showed the 22mm tool applied to all E53s. Went and checked the 21mm (Part #133128 tool), and it shows all E53s too! Crappy data on tool application BMP Design!!!

Pulled my e-bay tool out to verify what I have, 21mm. Checked the Xs shaft nuts, 21mm, checked the KW Variant 3s I will be installing when my airride fails, 21mm.

I went back to my prior post and corrected the data for future info searchers.

Ahh, I didn't think this thread would get this much feedback.
So I took the cheap way out and bought a used strut with spring to replace with. Mine was bent and my boss at work says it's fixable... i call BS on that part.

heres the strut and lower control arm... I used a pickle fork to bang the control arm out...

http://i1229.photobucket.com/albums/...0-12114705.jpg
http://i1229.photobucket.com/albums/...0-12114912.jpg
[IMG]http://i1229.photobucket.com/albums/...0-12114836.jpg[/IMG]

holy CRAP. how on earth did you work THIS magic?

Look at you Alex, some real good ol redneck ingenuity there!

"If you're going to replace it anyway, who cares if it breaks on the way out!"


I guess you might need to replace that control arm now too :)

You didn't mention you hit something really big---