Rear Camber & Toe Bolts

[andym3]

Took my car in for a Hunter 4 wheel alignment today as noticed getting a bit of negative wear on the rear wheels!
Anyway they couldn't do the adjustments as the rear camber & toe bolts are seized!  >:(
I haven't changed these bolts on a X5 before and was just wondering if anyone else has and any advice?
Because when you turn these bolts it adjust the camber & toe how do you swap the bolts etc?  :-[

[andym3]

No one has replaced these bolts before then?  )

[Horizon]

'I think it was Stormingmike who had one of his bolts sheered off during a Hunter 4 wheel alignment.
Aparanntly they need loads of heat applying to unseize the bolts. X5' s  do run negative Canberra as standard, how far is it out. If the bolts are siezed how has it altered itself.
More likely worn bushes ball joints, you have to unload the air suspension to see / feel the slack play in them.

[andym3]

Ok i'll check out the bushes! But want to get these bolts changed as they are seized! Wont be happy knowing there seized  ) Everything on my car has to work perfectly!  )

[Greydog]

You can get a "Freeze & Release" penetration fluid slacken the nut so you can see the treads give it a blast and leave for a few minutes. You might have to repeat several times due to the length of the bolts you will start to see signs around the head then you should be able to turn it. I have used this many times (Horse Box!!!) and so far its not failed me just be patient.
If you are far from the Alignment Center mark the head and arm before you move it so at least your in near enough the right place if you do turn it.
Like Horizon says something has gone to effect the alignment bushes are the favorite

[andym3]

Thanks for the info! 

I want to check the rear bushes but you need to release the pressure on the air shock first!
Has anyone done this before?
I've seen a link on youtube.com & they just loosen one of the nuts, releasing a bit of air. But I worry this will set of warning lights & cause problems etc.  :-[

[davesavage257]

I released the air from my air springs to check my rear ball joints (shot!).  Easy enough to do, pop the fuses for the air compressor, loosen the red and blue pipes from the spheres under the boot floor, air will hiss out and car will sink.  When you've finished checking, reconnect pipes, pop the fuses back in, and the compressor will kick in and jack it back up again.  No problems or warning lights afterwards.

[rhinoman]

Done mine a few times too, dead easy but my pipes were all red.

[andym3]

[quote="davesavage257"]
I released the air from my air springs to check my rear ball joints (shot!).  Easy enough to do, pop the fuses for the air compressor, loosen the red and blue pipes from the spheres under the boot floor, air will hiss out and car will sink.  When you've finished checking, reconnect pipes, pop the fuses back in, and the compressor will kick in and jack it back up again.  No problems or warning lights afterwards.
[/quote]
Ok brilliant I'll give that a go at the weekend then! 

[storminmike]

[quote="Horizon"]
'I think it was Stormingmike who had one of his bolts sheered off during a Hunter 4 wheel alignment.
Aparanntly they need loads of heat applying to unseize the bolts. X5' s  do run negative Canberra as standard, how far is it out. If the bolts are siezed how has it altered itself.
More likely worn bushes ball joints, you have to unload the air suspension to see / feel the slack play in them.
[/quote]

Indeed, it cost me a whole new arm as well.

The bolts wouldn't rotate at the time....and the nut plain sheared off.  It had to be trailered to my indy as it rendered it undrivable.

Be carefull, if the head shears off and the bolt wont drive out its bad

Heat wasn't used and i'm not sure if that would have been wise anyway? I suspected that some large torque  >:( was applied....and it went boom

[andym3]

Ok now I'm worried!  )

[rhinoman]

It is important to pre-soak the adjustment bolts with penetrating fluid before attempting any adjustment.

[andym3]

If I build up the courage I will do, but am a bit worried of the nut snapping now!  :-[

[rhinoman]

The adjustment bolt is available from BMW. The bush it goes through is made by Lemforder and is available from a foreign seller on ebay. No need to buy a complete arm if the bolt snaps but they are an awkward bush to change. I've done pretty much all of mine now and they were the most awkward to get in.

[storminmike]

[quote="rhinoman"]
The adjustment bolt is available from BMW. The bush it goes through is made by Lemforder and is available from a foreign seller on ebay. No need to buy a complete arm if the bolt snaps but they are an awkward bush to change. I've done pretty much all of mine now and they were the most awkward to get in.
[/quote]

.....it was a shame about this because me and the indy couldn't find one at the time IIRC....hence the whole arm.