Removal & Installation

IMPORTANT: Wheel was balanced electronically.

Follow instructions on initializing Run Flat Indicator (RPA). See 36 11 000 Initializing Tire Defect Indicator (RPA) .

Observe the following procedure to prevent shift errors and imbalance:

Loosen wheel bolts.
Wheel positioned with valve facing down.
If several wheels are simultaneously removed, mark installation location of wheels on tires (e.g. with a piece of chalk).
Mark wheel with respect to wheel hub.
Mark out lockable wheel bolt in relation to wheel.
Release wheel bolts and remove wheel.

Fig 1: Loosening Wheel Bolts
Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.

IMPORTANT: Contact surfaces between:

Brake disk and disk wheel
Brake disk and wheel hub must be free from grease.

Remove dirt, grease residues and corrosion from contact face (1) with a drill and special tool 36 1 250.

IMPORTANT: Do not operate special tool 36 1 250 with an impact screwdriver!

NOTE: Degrease contact surface with universal cleaner.

If there are grease residues in the area of the wheel bolt bores, the brake disk must be removed and cleaned.

Fig 2: Removing Dirt, Grease Residues And Corrosion From Contact Face With Drill And Special Tool (1 Of 2)

Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.

Remove dirt, grease residues and corrosion from contact face (1) with a drill and special tool 36 1 250.

IMPORTANT: Do not operate special tool 36 1 250 with an impact screwdriver!

NOTE: Degrease contact surface with universal cleaner.

Fig 3: Removing Dirt, Grease Residues And Corrosion From Contact Face With Drill And Special Tool (2 Of 2)

Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.

Check brake disk retaining bolt (1) for secure seating.

IMPORTANT: Brake disk retaining bolt must under no circumstances protrude over contact face (2) between brake disk and disk wheel.

Tightening torque for brake disk retaining bolt:

Front axle, see 34 11 1AZ in WHEEL AND TIRES - TIGHTENING TORQUES .
Rear axle see 34 21 1AZ in WHEEL AND TIRES - TIGHTENING TORQUES .

Fig 4: Checking Brake Disk Retaining Bolt For Secure Seating
Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.

Apply a thin coat of grease to wheel centering (1) in disk wheel.

Fig 5: Applying A Thin Coat Of Grease To Wheel Centering In Disk Wheel

Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.

IMPORTANT: E53:

Use only wheel bolts with a separate taper (1).

Fig 6: Using Wheel Bolts With Separate Taper

Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.

Clean wheel bolts and check threads for damage, replace, if necessary.

Replace rusty wheel bolts.

IMPORTANT: Do not apply oil to new wheel bolts.

In the case of used wheel bolts, apply an extremely thin coating of engine oil to the threads and tapers before reinstalling them.

IMPORTANT: Under no circumstances use pneumatic or power screwdrivers to install and tighten the wheel bolts.

IMPORTANT: The disc wheel must rest uniformly against the brake disc. Screw in wheel bolts and tighten by hand in diagonal sequence to center disk wheel.

Using torque wrench, tighten down wheel bolts in diagonal and even sequence.

Tightening torque, see 36 10 1AZ in WHEEL AND TIRES - TIGHTENING TORQUES .

Fig 7: Tightening Down Wheel Bolts In Diagonal And Even Sequence

Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.