Changing wheels

[salukutinaveen]

I am planning to change the wheels on my X5 as soon as I get it. I know lot of the forum members here change their wheels at least once every year. I have done this a couple times before when I had a flat tire, but not sure if its any different for BMW's. Does X5 come with a tool kit, jack ? Can I change the wheels by myself ? The dealer is asking me $200, its not too much, but want to see if its an easy job, so I can do it my self.

Appreciate any help !

[EastCoast335i]

X5 doesn not come with a jack. since its run flat tires OEM.

If you plan to change your wheels for the seasons just invest in a nice rolling jack.. it will pay for itself.

[salukutinaveen]

Thank you EastCoast335i. Would I need anything else other than the Jack ? I am seeing videos that BMW has a spot where the jack goes. Should I buy some thing there ?

[turboawd]

find a local Harbor Freight store. they have jacks at great prices.
i cut some thick rubber and place it inside the jack cup, to prevent damaging the plastic lift point. or some companies sell jack adapters, if you google.

[Alan l.]

I believe if you have the spare tire option your X5 will have a jack in the trunk. With that said if you plan on changing your own wheels invest in a good heavy duty jack and leave it in the garage. Changing wheels on the X5 is no different from changing it on a Honda.

Here what i recommend

Jack
Jack stands for added safety
Torque wrench
Wheel hanger - http://www.ecstuning.com/BMW-E70-X5_...ent/ES2678092/ (very useful for big heavy suv wheels)

Keep in mind that the X5 is a heavy car so its better to get a heavy duty jack instead of those light weight racing ones which isn't as durable. If you don't plan on carrying the jack with you around the light weight feature is pointless.

I picked up this one and have no complaints using it on my X5 - http://www.amazon.com/Arcan-XL20-Bla...ofile+car+jack

Alan

[twelve535i]

http://burgertuning.com/BMW_jack_pad_adapter.html

These jack pads can save your lift points

[wjbender]

here is a good jack adapter for the X5

http://burgertuning.com/BMW_jack_pad_adapter.html

[wjbender]

Originally Posted by Alan l.

I believe if you have the spare tire option your X5 will have a jack in the trunk. With that said if you plan on changing your own wheels invest in a good heavy duty jack and leave it in the garage. Changing wheels on the X5 is no different from changing it on a Honda.

Here what i recommend

Jack
Jack stands for added safety
Torque wrench
Wheel hanger - http://www.ecstuning.com/BMW-E70-X5_...ent/ES2678092/ (very useful for big heavy suv wheels)

Keep in mind that the X5 is a heavy car so its better to get a heavy duty jack instead of those light weight racing ones which isn't as durable. If you don't plan on carrying the jack with you around the light weight feature is pointless.

I picked up this one and have no complaints using it on my X5 - http://www.amazon.com/Arcan-XL20-Bla...ofile+car+jack

Alan

+1 - and don't cheap out on the jack stands - these might be a good choice.

http://www.amazon.com/ESCO-Jack-Stan...ustomerReviews

[wjbender]

Anyone have a recommendation for a torques wrench. I was thinking for NON TRACK use this one might be a good choice. Calibration on this type is very stable.

http://www.amazon.com/SK-Hand-Tool-7...WH5C6CA7HR4MCA

[salukutinaveen]

Thanks a lot guys !! This might be a dumb question.. Is TPMS wireless ? Once I put the wheels on, I just need to give the i drive some time to pick it up ? Thats it ? Or Am i missing anything.

[wjbender]

It will pick up automatically -

Set the tire pressure with an accurate guage
go into I-Drive and do a reset for tire pressure. You will see a notice that tells you the progress. It can take up to 5 minutes of driving before it completes

[Alan l.]

In addition to what everyone suggest above...i highly suggest picking up one of these. This is one of those tools that i never thought i would need but after picked this up its actually one of my most used items especially for changing wheels.

http://www.amazon.com/Bosch-PS41-2A-...+impact+driver

Then pick this up

http://www.amazon.com/SE-7503SD-3-Pi...bxgy_469_img_y

And you'll need this 6 point socket set
http://www.amazon.com/TEKTON-4883-2-...int+socket+set

I have this combo with a 17MM socket always attached to it to help speed my wheel changes. I have it down to a science now that i've changed wheels more times than I'd like to admit throughout the years.....

Loosen bolts slightly with a breaker bar
Jack up the car
Use the Impact setup listed above to remove the lugs
Remove wheel

Reinstall wheel
Use Impact setup to slowly insert the lugs. (slow at first to make sure the threads catch then zip it in. The torque on this is low so there is no chance of you stripping it)
Tighten the lugs more with the torque wrench
Lower the car
Tighten the lugs to spec one final time



Alan

[hyde]

All this expense, how often do you plan to swap rims? If it's twice a year/seasonal, personally I would not waste money and time on those things, in fact just let your local tire shop store your wheels and have them do it for free with minimal storage fee. Remember they lift all four wheels at the same time and it's a breeze to swap tires, instead of you lifting the vehicle, putting on jack stands, etc..
My local place charges $20/wheel to take them off excluding storage, even if I had to haul them on the back of the X5, I'd let the local tire shop do it. I think even $20 is too much but you got a BMW, I bet they charge Toyota's $10, considering they patched my Run-Flats for $25, I don't think it costs $5 to patch and $20 to take it off..

[Doanster]

Outside of being a DIYer, for me the hassle is in lugging the wheels to/from the shop and waiting an hour+ to get them swapped.

[twelve535i]

Originally Posted by hyde

All this expense, how often do you plan to swap rims? If it's twice a year/seasonal, personally I would not waste money and time on those things, in fact just let your local tire shop store your wheels and have them do it for free with minimal storage fee. Remember they lift all four wheels at the same time and it's a breeze to swap tires, instead of you lifting the vehicle, putting on jack stands, etc..
My local place charges $20/wheel to take them off excluding storage, even if I had to haul them on the back of the X5, I'd let the local tire shop do it. I think even $20 is too much but you got a BMW, I bet they charge Toyota's $10, considering they patched my Run-Flats for $25, I don't think it costs $5 to patch and $20 to take it off..

I would agree with you but I see where others are coming from.
I've swapped out a couple set of wheels in Brooklyn and paid between 20-30 dollars, which I think is fair considering the time spent.

I was in Jersey and wanted to swap out a set of wheels.First, I went to Firestone. They wouldn't touch my wheels because they were aftermarket.

I got a quote from a private shop, $120. Thats $100 worth of BMW tax. I'm not a moron.

After an hour I finally found a Pep boys, they charged me $40, which sounded like a great bargain to me at that point.

It's not as easy for others who don't have mechanic or wheel shops on every corner like we do in NYC.

[wjbender]

Originally Posted by hyde

All this expense, how often do you plan to swap rims? If it's twice a year/seasonal, personally I would not waste money and time on those things, in fact just let your local tire shop store your wheels and have them do it for free with minimal storage fee. Remember they lift all four wheels at the same time and it's a breeze to swap tires, instead of you lifting the vehicle, putting on jack stands, etc..
My local place charges $20/wheel to take them off excluding storage, even if I had to haul them on the back of the X5, I'd let the local tire shop do it. I think even $20 is too much but you got a BMW, I bet they charge Toyota's $10, considering they patched my Run-Flats for $25, I don't think it costs $5 to patch and $20 to take it off..

LOL - good advise for many of us + you don't have to find a place to store the wheels/tires. I like working on the car so I'll probably do it myself. I just changed my oil at 5500 mi

[hyde]

I guess it depends a lot on where you live, how much time you have and available space to store the additional equipment, on top of the tires/rims. Yes, it's great to work on your vehicle and do things on your own, I loved to work on my Jeep and getting under it, lube it, replace parts, modify it, but those days are over for me. Getting a BMW is not an excuse to stop working on your own vehicle, but unless you have a garage that you want to get started for this type of work, I don't really see the point in spending money on these tools and getting under the BMW for swapping tires. If I were to do it, I'd just a simple $15 tire iron and $100 3ton jack from harbor freight and call it a day. Put the parking brake on and a pair of cheap chocks, lift it up and swap tires.

[Alan l.]

I've had too many bad experiences with local tire shops run by people getting paid at below minimum wage.

First is the BMW tax. The nicer the car the more they think they could charge.

Second is stripping my bolts. They do things so fast and don't give a crap if they cross tread your lugs. I had to get a whole new rotor once because of a simple wheel swap stripped one of the lugs because he used the impact gun and forced it in wrong.

Incorrect torque specs. It's either on way too tight or not tight enough. I never trust those guys anymore and I always have to check my lugs with my own torque wrench regardless

Lugging the wheels to the tire shop and then having to wait. I can probably swap wheels in less than 30mins and that includes me cleaning the back side of the wheels and the brake calipers

[Tommyvee]

I would also recommend using a BMW wheel alignment pin, I use two of these, it makes the job a lot easier.

http://www.ecstuning.com/ES184551/?g...FZGLaQodEy4AVg

[Henry VIII]

What's the torque on wheels guys?

[spike5150]

Originally Posted by Alan l.

I've had too many bad experiences with local tire shops run by people getting paid at below minimum wage.

First is the BMW tax. The nicer the car the more they think they could charge.

Second is stripping my bolts. They do things so fast and don't give a crap if they cross tread your lugs. I had to get a whole new rotor once because of a simple wheel swap stripped one of the lugs because he used the impact gun and forced it in wrong.

Incorrect torque specs. It's either on way too tight or not tight enough. I never trust those guys anymore and I always have to check my lugs with my own torque wrench regardless

Lugging the wheels to the tire shop and then having to wait. I can probably swap wheels in less than 30mins and that includes me cleaning the back side of the wheels and the brake calipers

And DIY can be done on your own schedule.

[Treeboy]

Originally Posted by Henry VIII

What's the torque on wheels guys?

103 ft-lbs