e-torx wobble or universal socket set?

[Lucid Moments]

Having to pull the transmission on my '87 BMW 325 and all the bell housing bolts are e-torx. I have done it before and it would be much easier with a set of e-torx wobble sockets. Universals are typically floppier than I would prefer. I have done it before with a universal joint wrapped in electrical tape, but it seems like the proper type of socket would make it easier. I've looked and didn't see any so I thought I would check with the hive mind and see if someone knows of some out there.

 

[Dave455]

Koken offer E Torx universals. Both 1/4” and 3/8” drive too.

I don’t own any of the E Torx universal, but I do have their regular E Torx, and regular universals. Both are very decent. I find that the KoKen universals are a little less floppy than others I have (Snap On).

By coincidence, I have a 3 Series starter to remove over the holiday. I’ve a feeling that’s held on by E Torx, and was wondering if I should acquire universals?

 

[Luciferi]

Koken offer E Torx universals. Both 1/4” and 3/8” drive too.

I don’t own any of the E Torx universal, but I do have their regular E Torx, and regular universals. Both are very decent. I find that the KoKen universals are a little less floppy than others I have (Snap On).

By coincidence, I have a 3 Series starter to remove over the holiday. I’ve a feeling that’s held on by E Torx, and was wondering if I should acquire universals?

Which 3 series? I did an e46 starter from above with intake manifold removed. I used a flex head ratchet with normal e torx socket on one bolt. The other bolt there was no no room for a socket so I used a ratcheting spline wrench with a pipe.

 

[Dave455]

Which 3 series? I did an e46 starter from above with intake manifold removed. I used a flex head ratchet with normal e torx socket on one bolt. The other bolt there was no no room for a socket so I used a ratcheting spline wrench with a pipe.

Z3 (‘97).

Thanks, that’s interesting.

I was planning to attack it from underneath, but I don’t really know what I’m dealing with till I have a look. Know it’s E Torx though!

 

[kbeefy]

Could you just use a wobble extension and standard E Torx socket?

 

[Wrench97]

If you don't use them a lot Gearwrench has them>https://www.homedepot.com/p/GEARWRE...ernal-Torx-Socket-Set-9-Piece-80985/311348597

 

[Odd-job]

The question might be how often do you plan on working on Bimmers and other Euro cars? Would get the Kokens if you can justify it.

Also have the gearwrench set, but the E10 and below should really be 1/4 instead of 3/8. So ended buying Kokens to complement since half of the family fleet are Mercedes.

Next on my list are Snap On stubby torx.

 

[Alpine4x4]

Could you just use a wobble extension and standard E Torx socket?

Thats what I would do. Sunex makes a great universal extension.

 

[Lucid Moments]

Could you just use a wobble extension and standard E Torx socket?

Tried that and it doesn't give me quite enough flex.

 

[2ndGearRubber]

Impact universal, etorx socket, long extension. 3/8 male with 1/2 female extensions are great for trans bolts. They make them 3ft long.

 

[kudakev615]

Also have the gearwrench set, but the E10 and below should really be 1/4 instead of 3/8. So ended buying Kokens to complement since half of the family fleet are Mercedes.

i thought the same thing after i bought and used my GW set. i bought the VIM set that is all 1/4 drive from E4-E16 and have been very happy with that set. i rarely ever use the GW set now

 

[BmwTechZiggy]

i have a set of spring loaded universals, they work great and one of my favorite recent tool purchases
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07WK99RST/?tag=atomicindus08-20 this is the set i got.

 

[Qualitytools]

i have a set of spring loaded universals, they work great and one of my favorite recent tool purchases
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07WK99RST/?tag=atomicindus08-20 this is the set i got.

I like that idea as I have always disliked the wobbles due to their flopping. Thanks for sharing

 

[Lucid Moments]

i have a set of spring loaded universals, they work great and one of my favorite recent tool purchases
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07WK99RST/?tag=atomicindus08-20 this is the set i got.

That may be just the thing. Just ordered them and we will see how they work for me.

 

[bwringer]

i have a set of spring loaded universals, they work great and one of my favorite recent tool purchases
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07WK99RST/?tag=atomicindus08-20 this is the set i got.

Well, ain't that cool! I had NO idea these existed, but the idea is obvious and much-needed.

Ordered!

 

[signcrafter]

I bought the vim tools set last year. After working on a sonic that was all etorx and only having the basic shallow set i went out and got a complete shallow and deep set, a 1/4" drive set, universal's, and a set of wrenches in etorx. I've had good luck with vim products and like them.

 

[Luciferi]

i bought the gear wrench e torx sets and neither one had an e11. The koken sets listed above also don't show it included.
E11 is needed for the Bmw steering coupler that needs replacing every few years.

 

[Odd-job]

i thought the same thing after i bought and used my GW set. i bought the VIM set that is all 1/4 drive from E4-E16 and have been very happy with that set. i rarely ever use the GW set now

I probably should have bought that VIM set in the first place. 1/4 is essential on tight Euro cars. The GW set is now just taking up room in my box more or less.

 

[Luciferi]

Z3 (‘97).

Thanks, that’s interesting.

I was planning to attack it from underneath, but I don’t really know what I’m dealing with till I have a look. Know it’s E Torx though!

Hopefully your year has more room underneath. I would need to drop the ****** down on already worn out motor mounts. I would still have to move a few things underneath to get it out. i also had a hard time starting one the bolts which would have been difficult from underneath with an extension and a universal. Since everything Bmw is only 30,000 mile parts I took the manifold off and replaced all the bad plastic and rubber parts. It also gave me a chance to clean off 15 years of oilly crud

 

[kbeefy]

i have a set of spring loaded universals, they work great and one of my favorite recent tool purchases
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07WK99RST/?tag=atomicindus08-20 this is the set i got.

I totally forgot I own a set of those. I'll have to go find them and think of something to use them for....

 

[Buckgnarly]

i have a set of spring loaded universals, they work great and one of my favorite recent tool purchases
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07WK99RST/?tag=atomicindus08-20 this is the set i got.

Always meant to buy those, but worried they were just novelty ****. Do they hold up to hard hand use?

 

[BmwTechZiggy]

Always meant to buy those, but worried they were just novelty ****. Do they hold up to hard hand use?

They have held up well for me so far. absolutely 0 complaints and i threw away my normal ones pretty much immediately

 

[bwringer]

Always meant to buy those, but worried they were just novelty ****. Do they hold up to hard hand use?

Just got my set yesterday. Haven't needed them yet, but they are made in Taiwan, beautifully made and finished, and by all indications excellent quality.

 

[unslow1]

This is exactly the situation I bought my wobble plus extensions for.

 

[wkndwarrior29]

Not an answer to your question, but my astro universals have screws that can be tightened up if you want to reduce the 'looseness'

I would probably also consider wobble extensions as suggested above. Maybe in combination with low profile sockets.

Here's a similar set if you can find them: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B005B4N6OM/?tag=atomicindus08-20

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00SQ48CY8/?tag=atomicindus08-20

Also something to consider: https://www.ebay.com/itm/114160759823