2011 x5 35d Cargo cover lift shock installation

My 2011 35d came without the lift shock under the cargo cover. So I have to hold it with my hand every time I open it. It is a common miss from BMW, based on many threads here.

Thanks penguin for providing useful information in an early thread. I took the dive and ordered these two parts from a local dealer:

1. Gas pressurized spring, part number 51476980060, $49.58
2. Spring bracket, part number 51479138212, $8.07

When I picked up these parts at the dealer, I found the bracket came in without the screws. So I asked nicely at the dealership and actually got them to put it on for me. It is so straightforward that they did it for free. It took just a few minutes to mount it on.

I attached a few before and after pictures. Note in the before picture, there are holes pre-drilled on the cargo cover for the bracket (red cycle 1). The spring will hook up with bracket and the other end of the spring goes to the pre-existing hook-up (red cycle 2).

The last picture shows now the cover can stand up by itself! what a relief.

Still can't believe BMW pre-drilled the holes, then choose not to install the parts.

4 screws required?

not only did they drill the holes, they also installed a threaded insert into each hole (to receive the machine screws)

did your x5d come with the cargo cover?

yes, I got cargo cover came in with my x5 35d. At least that is good.

And yes, I was surprised about BMW's approach: drilled the holes, but not installing the $50 spring. Sold the springs and brackets, but not providing the $0.50 mounting screws.

mctavish, Can you tell me what the gas spring pressure rating is on the part you installed? I have the brackets, I just need to pick up a spring. Plan to get it at the hardware store. Thanks!

Originally Posted by X535DMjrTorque

mctavish, Can you tell me what the gas spring pressure rating is on the part you installed? I have the brackets, I just need to pick up a spring. Plan to get it at the hardware store. Thanks!

I am not sure about the rating. Is it supposed to be labelled somewhere on the part? If yes, I can look it up on my car later today.

Originally Posted by X535DMjrTorque

mctavish, Can you tell me what the gas spring pressure rating is on the part you installed? I have the brackets, I just need to pick up a spring. Plan to get it at the hardware store. Thanks!

I think you will have a challenge finding a spring with the specific end mount to attach to the vehicle.

no?

Yes it should be on the cylinder. Thanks again. No rush.

Originally Posted by X535DMjrTorque

Yes it should be on the cylinder. Thanks again. No rush.

If you do a search, someone in an earlier thread had this info, including the part number of the cylinder he used. Or maybe it was on xoutpost. It's in one of those places.

P.S. Found it!

http://www.xoutpost.com/bmw-sav-foru...oor-2010s.html

Message #53

Note that I mail ordered part #4554 for $15 and it was different than described and I could not use it, wasting $15. I ended-up just buying the BMW part for $40. So if you want to try a substitute, I suggest buying locally, so you can return it easily if it has the wrong end on it.

Originally Posted by Penguin

If you do a search, someone in an earlier thread had this info, including the part number of the cylinder he used. Or maybe it was on xoutpost. It's in one of those places.

P.S. Found it!

http://www.xoutpost.com/bmw-sav-foru...oor-2010s.html

Message #53

Note that I mail ordered part #4554 for $15 and it was different than described and I could not use it, wasting $15. I ended-up just buying the BMW part for $40. So if you want to try a substitute, I suggest buying locally, so you can return it easily if it has the wrong end on it.

Exactly my point.

The end that attaches to the car (not the panel) has a specific fitting on it. I don't think it's an off the shelf item.

However, it has been reported that this strut works:

AutoZone Part # is 4554 for the gas strut cost me $13.99

Originally Posted by Popdisplay

Exactly my point.

The end that attaches to the car (not the panel) has a specific fitting on it. I don't think it's an off the shelf item.

Actually, that fitting is quite common, but not universal by any means. I believe it is just a normal ball fitting, and the male part is already on the X5.

One really needs to inspect the particular cylinder before buying. But even with the correct fitting, I would be concerned about getting the correct spring force and length. For the price difference, just going with the OE part is probably best. If you order it from a discount mail order place and combine it with something else you need, to cut down on shipping cost, it's probably no more than $20 more to get the BMW part.

Autozone # 4554:

http://www.autozone.com/autozone/par...er=946768_0_0_



Part Number: SG314033
Weight: 0.88 lbs
Warranty: Limited Lifetime
OEM Brand: AMV
Description: Gas-charged lift support
Extended Length: 465 mm.
Compressed Length: 295 mm.
Rod Diameter: 10 mm.
Tube Diameter: 22 mm.
Rod End Fitting: Ball socket
Tube End Fitting: Ball socket
Shipping Information: Overnight and Two Day shipping are not available for PO Box, APO/FPO/DPO or US Territory addresses.
Price: $21.99
Ground(3-5 business days) - $5.20

Originally Posted by Popdisplay

Exactly my point.

The end that attaches to the car (not the panel) has a specific fitting on it. I don't think it's an off the shelf item.

However, it has been reported that this strut works:

AutoZone Part # is 4554 for the gas strut cost me $13.99

As I noted, I ordered part #4554 and it would not work. Why? Well it appears the original posted got a #4554 which had ball connectors on both ends, and a bracket which adapted one end of the cylinder to the particular "4554" application (which, if I remember right, was a Mitsubishi of some type). But the one I received simply had the Mitsubishi bracket staked onto the end permanently, rather than an adapter. So I could not use the "4554" cylinder I received, i.e., it was accidental that that particular version of the 4554 cylinder would work on the X5 by removing the adapter. Hence my advice to be sure to do a visual inspection of the cylinder and not mail order it, if trying to do a substiution.

1

Originally Posted by Penguin

As I noted, I ordered part #4554 and it would not work. Why? Well it appears the original posted got a #4554 which had ball connectors on both ends, and a bracket which adapted one end of the cylinder to the particular "4554" application (which, if I remember right, was a Mitsubishi of some type). But the one I received simply had the Mitsubishi bracket staked onto the end permanently, rather than an adapter. So I could not use the "4554" cylinder I received, i.e., it was accidental that that particular version of the 4554 cylinder would work on the X5 by removing the adapter. Hence my advice to be sure to do a visual inspection of the cylinder and not mail order it, if trying to do a substiution.

Agreed with Penguin. I looked briefly at local auto store and found that the best approach of buying non-OEM is to buy local, try it on, and return if not working. But then I realized that the time spent on this approach probablly would fill the price gap vs. OEM part. One of my local BMW dealers was running a special and gave $10 off on the spring (and I convinced them to put it on for me). So by compring <$20 for non-OEM (more time spending) vs. $40 OEM (less time spending), I went to OEM as Penguin adviced.

Penguin, thanks again for digging out the thread with BMW part number in it. Without you help, I would probablly have to spend tons of time to go through OEM parts jungle.

Originally Posted by X535DMjrTorque

mctavish, Can you tell me what the gas spring pressure rating is on the part you installed? I have the brackets, I just need to pick up a spring. Plan to get it at the hardware store. Thanks!

X535DMjrTorque - with the information provided by Penguin on non-OEM gas spring, do you still need the reading off the OEM one?

Many thanks to mctavish for the post with photos and parts #s. I just installed a cargo cover lift shock in my X35i and it's great. So much more useful storage when the cargo cover actually stays up on its own after you open it.

It took less than 5 minutes to install and was very easy. Be sure to order the 4 screws needed to hold the bracket (part # 07-12-9-903-027 ISA SCREW), and have a torx T30 screwdriver to install them.

Originally Posted by FrozenUpNorth

Be sure to order the 4 screws needed to hold the bracket (part # 07-12-9-903-027 ISA SCREW), and have a torx T30 screwdriver to install them.

Or, if you forget to order them, just stop by the local ACE hardware and get some allen head equivalents, as I did. They are a standard metric thread.

Originally Posted by Penguin

Or, if you forget to order them, just stop by the local ACE hardware and get some allen head equivalents, as I did. They are a standard metric thread.

I got my (4) metric screws at THD. 6m x 20mm, pan head phillips.

And Autozone part #4554 from above is NOT the correct spring. 4554 is at least twice the length that's needed for this installation.

Is there any 2011 X5 that has this installed as a standard feature?

I toured the factory yesterday and also asked the instructors at the PCD.

BMW wants/expects their customers to hold open the cargo cover with their heads whilst extracting their cargo and/or 30 pound spare tire.

BMW

BMW

BMW

Easiest mod ever!! Wife is thrilled she can actually use the space below without getting her fingers slammed!

I Like it! - I looked on RealOem to get the part numbers the other day and it says that gas shock is "ended" not available.

Could you post the part numbers and prices please.

Thanks

got the parts from tischer let me find the posting again where I got the part numbers from

Originally Posted by 1buck01

I Like it! - I looked on RealOem to get the part numbers the other day and it says that gas shock is "ended" not available.

Could you post the part numbers and prices please.

Thanks

New part per getbmwparts.com = 51479149120

Their price = $39.18

bracket = 51479138212

Their price = 6.40

07129903027 Screw 2008 - 2010 if you want the original screws - just make sure you order 4