51 71 038 Removing and installing/replacing front left or right wheel arch cover (front section): Notes

WARNING: This page does not describe the selected car, but rather 7 other vehicles, including the 2014 BMW X6, 2013 BMW X6, 2012 BMW X6, 2011 BMW X6, and 2010 BMW X6. However, it is still accessible from the selected car via links, so may be relevant.

Necessary preliminary tasks:

Remove front wheel , see 36 10 300 REMOVING OR INSTALLING FRONT OR REAR WHEEL .
Remove trim on front wheel arch, see 51 71 470 Removing and installing/replacing trim on front left or right wheel arch .

NOTE: Work shown on the X5 3.0d by way of example; there may be differences in detail on other models.

Release expander rivets (1) and screws (2, 3).

Fig 1: Identifying Expander Rivets And Screws

Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.

Release expander rivet (1) and nut (2).

Release screws (3, 4).

Feed out wheel arch cover in downward direction.

Fig 2: Identifying Wheel Arch Cover Expander Rivet And Nut

Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.

IMPORTANT: Make sure all covers in wheel arch are correctly seated in relation to each other:

Rear cover (1) overlaps front cover (2)
Cover (4) overlaps rear cover (1)
Cover (3) overlaps covers (2, 4) and rear cover (1) in area (A)

Fig 3: Identifying Rear Cover And Overlaps Covers
Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.

Left side only:
Rear cover (1) overlaps cover (3) in area (B).