E60I

Hi guys,

I want to replace my water pump and thermostat this Sunday. Until then, please help me "visualize" a success job with some answers. :-)

It's a 2006 530i (N52 Engine). The car comes with active steering and active stabilizer bar. I understand I need to lower the active stabilizer bar to get more
working space.
RealOEM.com * BMW E60 530i Front stabilizer bar/Dynamic Drive

Here are my questions:

1. The two silver hoses (see PIC1) appear to be too short to allow the active stabilizer bar to drop. Do I need to disconnect them?

2. If I disconnect them (I hope I don't have to!), other then re-filling the power steering reservoir with CHF-11S fluid, are there other special steps to take to avoid new problem(s)?

Thank you in advance for your help!

Daniel

Gee_115

I have a N62 engine and I did the water pump thermostat alternator and pulleys, I did not have to remove any stabilizer bars, I do have active steering. For me everything was done from above, all I had to do was remove the cooling fan. I imagine you would have more space with the N52. Do a search before you start to work because I don't think you have the proper procedure.

E60I

Thanks for the response, Gee.

There are several threads and a video about replacing the water pump and thermostat for the "N52" engine. With the exception of the "tight space", they seem easy enough to do under the car. Unlike some of the examples that I saw, they didn't have some of the "non flexible hoses" that are in the way. In any case, I found out that it is no big deal removing them either.

Thanks,

Daniel

DanL

I'm interested in knowing as well. I replaced my oil filter housing gaskets yesterday (somewhat tedious on an N54 with an oil cooler) and intended to proactively replace my water pump and thermostat today. But when I saw the short braided hydraulic lines to the stabilizer bar and assorted metal tubing I decided to hold off until I could do more research.

E60I

If you disconnect the two "short" silver hoses (hydraulic lines), you will need to fill up the power steering fluid and bleed the system later.

You can remove the two screws (see attachment) to lower the other aluminum (non flexible, lol) tubes a few centimeter down. Other than that, I really don't know how the hell I can get my hands in there to disconnect the hoses from the thermostat/pump.

Post what you found out. ;-)