BMW E61 Touring Rear Suspension Rebuild (bushings, bearing, control arms, etc.) detailed

[@MrUnderwurlde]

Possibly one of the best videos on KZbin. This shows the real challenges involved when working on these aging cars. I had just started this job but gave up on my first fail which was not being able to get the hub off the axle. I put it back together and was going to bring it too a shop to get it done. Having slept on it, and after watching this video, I'm determined to get it done. Just ordered a big ass hydraulic puller so hopefully that will sort out the axle. Thank you so much for taking the time to put this video together... its hard working on cars never mind trying to document it at the same time.

[@Mark_H_DIY]

I'm blushing. ;-) Thanks for the kind words. And yes, this job (car) is a great example of the "real world". I've seen plenty of videos where a light tap sends the axle retreating out of the hub. Or even that a slide hammer removes the hub (and inner bearing race) with a few swings. My car just wasn't one of those (though living in the desert, I've certainly had that happen). I think mine was about as bad as one is likely to get. I used an inductive heater on the front hub, and got it to release with a lot less work (2 minutes got the hub to over 350°, which left the axle "cool", maximizing the temperature / size differential). It still needed the 10-ton puller AND the air chisel, but in the grand scheme of things, "easy peasy". Strangely the right front (the last one, which I was going to use for a video showing the use of the inductive heater) came out with JUST the 10-ton puller. But good luck on your car - with enough patience (aka "stubbornness") you'll get through it and get your E60/1 back to perfect.

[@MrUnderwurlde]

@@Mark_H_DIY Finally got back to work on the car today with my new 15 ton hydraulic puller. Between that, a propane torch, and a lump hammer, the crusty 16 year old hub finally broke free from the axle. It was such a relief when it popped. On to the other side now!! Thanks again for the inspiration!!

[@Mark_H_DIY]

@@MrUnderwurlde Glad to hear about your success, but will admit to a certain amount of jealousy over an even bigger puller than my 10-ton unit! ;-) I have to agree with you that the joy that runs through the body when something like this FINALLY releases its evil hold is amazing! My plan going forward is to never, ever, ever own another car that's spent so much time in the frozen north (my 2006 spent its first few years in Minnesota, which is where the axle and hub got the dose of saltwater that made getting them separated so difficult). Good luck with the rest of your job - hope it goes well. I'm enjoying a car that feels like "showroom" again.

[@BergenVestHK]

I'm just removing the lower control arm / swing arm to replace its bushings (I got the Meyle ones too!), but I still watched the entire 2 hours twice. I really appreciate that you showed us the whole process, warts and all. Working on these cars are not always as simple as what the 10 minute videos would have us believe. Thank you!

[@Mark_H_DIY]

I always make a video with the thought of putting everything in it I would want to know to do the job. ;-)

[@johnpetersen8116]

A very selfless video! Thank you for showing us all the successes and failures along the way. Ive got this job coming up soon......

[@Mark_H_DIY]

Thanks for the kind words. I think that often it's more important to know what can go wrong, than to see what happens when it goes right. :-)

[@Mark_H_DIY]

I should add that I learned about the emergency brakes doing this job (and trying to get them working after I thought I was done). ;-) First, the Touring (wagon) emergency brake adjusters are NOT on the bottom of the rotor (like the other E60 variants) but are on the back (adjacent to the calipers). Second, if you have an emergency brake cable disconnected, it's possible for the cable to push the mechanism under the hand brake lever into "service position". This will result in the lever feeling like there's nothing connected to it, no matter how tight you adjust the e-brake adjusters (ask me how I know...). Fortunately, I found a great online description (thanks Pelican Parts) that shows this little-known mechanism, and how to correct it. Basically, you just pull the leather cover over the e-brake lever, push in the obvious spring below it, and wiggle the little "hook" into the obvious hole. Instant fix. Oh, and I didn't show the dimpling of the axle nut (which keeps it from coming loose, not that it's likely, being torqued to 310 foot/pounds). The link to the E-brake adjustment (spring trick mentioned above): www.pelicanparts.com/techarticles/BMW-E60/44-BRAKES-Parking_Brake_Adjusting/44-BRAKES-Parking_Brake_Adjusting.htm

[@anthonygillesse7242]

Hi Mark H thank you so much for your tutorial on the wagons rear end. I’ve replaced the air bag but not looking forward to doing anything else however if I need to this is very helpful. Great wagons but need a little help as they age. 2007 e61 M packaged good old n52 🇨🇦

[@Mark_H_DIY]

I'm happy to help keep these wonderful cars on the road any way I can. Even if I'm jealous of the M-option. Tell me it's a manual and I may never talk to you again. 😂

[@anthonygillesse7242]

@@Mark_H_DIY Sorry I guess you’ll never talk to me again🇨🇦

[@anthonygillesse7242]

Send me your email and I’ll send you a photo, forgot to tell you it’s also roof rack delete

[@Mark_H_DIY]

Now I'm even more jealous! ;-) For the life of me, I can't figure out how to do a message on YT... sorry.

[@Mark_H_DIY]

LOL... You of course, are absolutely correct. I hadn't noticed that until just now. In the end, it doesn't really matter because the bolt was so rusty that there is no way I was going to trust it anyway, and had the new one ready to put in. I suspect it would have probably felt, and broken about the same if I was going the right way. :-)

[@Bmw533ia]

Your video was helpful for me. So thank you very much. :)

[@Mark_H_DIY]

I'm glad it helped.

[@Bmw533ia]

Yes you help me a lot. This was the first time I did this job on my e61. And I also get morer or less the same problems as you did. Thanks again. And must you and yours have a good life. Regards from Norway. :)

[@Mark_H_DIY]

Thanks for the kind words (sorry for the late reply - I didn't get a notice and just saw your note now).

[@Bmw533ia]

No problem Mark. :) And must you and yours have a Happy Holidays and a warm wishes for the New Year. Regards Bent.

[@curioussand1339]

Mostly good work, but 56:21, the reason it snaps is likely because you are tightening the nut.

[@Bmw533ia]

Thank you. :)

[@Mark_H_DIY]

You're welcome! Hope it helped at least a little.

[@thomasstiglich3484]

Curious. Is there a tool to put the wheel bearing on the hub other than the standing hydraulic press?

[@Mark_H_DIY]

There are options. You can find a bearing race driver kit that has an air chisel shaft that really let you put some power behind the bearing (of course, only the bearing outer housing). And there are a couple screw style bearing press kits I've seen that would probably get the job done most of the time. But in the end, it's really hard to beat the utility of a big old honking 12 ton shop press. ;-)

[@Mark_H_DIY]

The other thing I would add is that you can usually take the bearings and the hubs into a machine shop and get the job done for chump change.