Genuine BMW X3 Trailing Arm

BMW X3 Trailing Arm Parts Questions & Experts Answers

• Trailing Arm, Right
  33303420502
  Q: How do you replace the rear trailing arm on BMW X3?

  A:

  Raise the vehicle and remove the rear wheels, followed by the removal of the rear underbody splash shields as applicable. Next, take out the coil spring and stabilizer bar links. Remove the drive axle and the brake caliper, rotor, and parking brake cable without detaching the brake line from the caliper; suspend the caliper from the body using stiff wire. Detach the rear brake line bracket mounting bolt from the trailing arm, ensuring not to damage the brake hose when lowering the trailing arm. Remove the wheel speed sensor from the top of the trailing arm and unclip the brake pad sensor harnesses if applicable. Support the trailing arm from below with an adjustable jack stand and remove the Shock Absorber lower mounting bolt. Mark the position of the lower Control Arm eccentric bolt to the control arm, and with assistance, remove the lower eccentric bolt, nut, and washer, noting the direction of bolt installation for reassembly. With help, remove the upper control arm bolt and the bolts from the trailing arm bracket, then remove the bracket from the vehicle while marking its position to aid in alignment during reinstallation. On a workbench, detach the front bracket from the trailing arm and preload the trailing arm front bracket bushing by installing a bolt through the bracket and bushing, securing the nut finger tight. Align the base of the bracket to be parallel with the center of the Wheel Bearing bore on the trailing arm and torque the bracket bolt. The remainder of the installation follows the reverse order of removal, ensuring to align the control arm eccentric mounting bolt to the previously marked positions, use new self-locking nuts, transfer the brake system components to the new arm, tighten the upper and lower trailing arm, and have the vehicle professionally aligned upon completion. Replacement trailing arms from BMW come with Control Arm Bushings installed, and a new wheel bearing should be installed as well.