36 10 300 Removing or installing front or rear wheel

WARNING: This page is about a different car, the 2005 BMW 530i, 2005 BMW 525i, 2004 BMW 530i, and 2004 BMW 525i. However, it is still accessible from the selected car via links, so may be relevant.

Special Tools Required

36 1 120
36 1 250
36 1 300

IMPORTANT: Wheel was balanced electronically.

Observe safety instructions on raising the vehicle.

Follow instructions in owner's manual on initializing Run Flat 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 removed simultaneously, mark the installation locations of the wheels on the tires (e.g. with chalk).
Mark out wheel to wheel hub.
Mark out lockable wheel bolt in relation to wheel.
Release wheel bolts, remove wheel.

Fig 1: Removing 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 face with universal cleaner.

NOTE: If there are grease residues in the area of the wheel stud bore, the brake disk must be removed and cleaned.

Fig 2: Removing Dirt, Grease Residues And Corrosion From Contact Face With Special Tool 36 1 250 (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 face with universal cleaner.

Fig 3: Removing Dirt, Grease Residues And Corrosion From Contact Face With Special Tool 36 1 250 (2 Of 2)

Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.

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

IMPORTANT: Mounting bolt (1) must not under any circumstances protrude over contact surface (2) between brake disk and disk wheel.

Fig 4: Ensuring Mounting Bolt Does Not Protrude Over Contact Surface

Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.

Tightening torque brake disk retaining bolt:

Front axle, see 34 11 1AZ in WHEEL & TIRES - TIGHTENING TORQUES .

Rear axle, see 34 21 1AZ in WHEEL & TIRES - TIGHTENING TORQUES .

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

NOTE: Refer to OPERATING FLUIDS - WHEELS AND TIRES .

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

Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.

Wheel studs with taper:

Wheel bolt - galvanized
Wheel bolt - black chrome plated
Wheel bolt - black chrome plated and lockable
Lockable wheel stud with adapter, black chrome-plated

NOTE: To release and tighten down lockable wheel stud, use a matching adapter from special tool 36 1 300.

Fig 6: Identifying Wheel Bolts

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.

Apply a thin coating of engine oil to threads and tapers of used wheel studs before insertion.

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

Screw in wheel studs and, to center disk wheel, tighten down by hand diagonally and evenly.

Using torque wrench, firmly tighten wheel studs in diagonal and even sequence.

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

IMPORTANT: Disk wheel must rest uniformly against brake disk.

Fig 7: Tightening Wheel Stud Using Torque Wrench

Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.

NOTE: For wheels with Styling "90" wheel cover.

The wheel cover can be removed for cleaning and removal of foreign objects.

Fit special tool 36 1 120(3) as shown on rim (1) (near valve). Engage removal fork of special tool 36 1 120 (3) in wheel cover (2).

Pull off wheel cover (2) with handle of special tool 36 1 120(3).

Fig 8: Pulling Off Wheel Cover With Handle Of Special Tool 36 1 120

Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.