Special tools required:

WARNING: This page is about a different car, the 2003 BMW 525i, 2002 BMW 525i, and 2001 BMW 525i. However, it is still accessible from the selected car via links, so may be relevant.

36 1 250

IMPORTANT: Wheel was balanced electronically.

Observe the following in order to avoid positioning errors and imbalance:

Loosen wheel bolts.
Wheel positioned with valve facing down.
If several wheels are removed at the same time, mark the installation location 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 and remove wheel.

Fig 1: Loosening Wheel Bolts

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IMPORTANT: Contact faces between brake disk and disk wheel and between brake disk and wheel hub must be free of 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: Identifying Contact Faces Between Brake Disk & Disk Wheel

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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: Identifying Contact Faces Between Brake Disk & Wheel Hub

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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, brake disk retaining screw,

Front axle, refer to TORQUE SPECIFICATIONS .

Rear axle, refer to TORQUE SPECIFICATIONS .

Fig 4: Checking Brake Disk Retaining Bolt For Secure Seating

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

Fig 5: Identifying Wheel Centering In Disk Wheel

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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

Fig 6: Identifying Wheel Studs With Taper

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

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: Disk wheel must rest uniformly against brake disk.

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, refer to WHEEL AND TIRES - TIGHTENING TORQUES .

Fig 7: Tightening Wheel Studs Using Torque Wrench

Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.