What tools for BMW's

[Carbonblk46]

Have an E46 3 Series that i will be tearing down soon for a project. Anyone familiar with any specialty tools i will need? I know Torx are extensively used on German cars buts that's about all i know. Any insight would be greatly appreciated.

 

[Davefr]

 

[Carbonblk46]

Lmao that made my day, but I know what you mean

 

[greasemonkey44]

a big checkbook

 

[Mr.Nutcase]

Junkyard.........

 

[SiGmA_X]

Have an E46 3 Series that i will be tearing down soon for a project. Anyone familiar with any specialty tools i will need? I know Torx are extensively used on German cars buts that's about all i know. Any insight would be greatly appreciated.

What's the job? There are lots of specialty tools..

 

[dsaabm]

Junkyard.........

That's offensive lol


Seriously though, a good set of torx bits, a full set of etorx sockets (important), water pump holder/32mm fan nut wrench, 46mm socket (iirc) for the hub nuts. I'm sure others will add.

 

[franzdom]

e46fanatics.com is my source for information about all things e46, I am currently fixing an oil leak with a $5 oil filter housing gasket that most dealers charge about 3-800 in labor for. The e46 is bolted together fairly straightforward, the transmission requires e-torx and if it's an automatic I believe you need a 30mm bicycle headset wrench to get the fan off. Be sure to have 16 & 18mm handy those are sizes that aren't used on Japanese or most American cars that are definitely used on the e46.

 

[Mr.Nutcase]

That's offensive lol


Seriously though, a good set of torx bits, a full set of etorx sockets (important), water pump holder/32mm fan nut wrench, 46mm socket (iirc) for the hub nuts. I'm sure others will add.

Not really, junkyard runs... look for parts, how they are attached, do the work on the junkyard car, then you have idea what to do and get stuff trim ect

 

[Mr.Nutcase]

Have an E46 3 Series that i will be tearing down soon for a project. Anyone familiar with any specialty tools i will need? I know Torx are extensively used on German cars buts that's about all i know. Any insight would be greatly appreciated.

get the Manual

 

[Carbonblk46]

Okay yeah im on the Bimmerforums forgot all about E46Fanatics. But yeah just mainly going to take off the complete front end including radiator support. I'll start my search for some Etorx and Torx sockets

 

[stonesfan68]

Yes, e-Torx sockets, Torx screwdrivers, Allen sockets and screwdrivers are the only "special" tools that you'll need for most projects. Every-once-in-awhile you'll need a really special BMW tool to do a job, but you can usually find a source on-line that will loan or sell them.

 

[vga]

If you do remove the head you will need the extended length BMW socket for this. I belive it is a 8 point!

 

[Carbonblk46]

If you do remove the head you will need the extended length BMW socket for this. I belive it is a 8 point!

This was on the agenda and this is the kind of info i was asking for thanks pal, will verify what socket it is tonight

 

[geologist]

Davefr, you sir, are a class act. Well played.

 

[jjjrmx5]

Davefr, you sir, are a class act. Well played.

I LOL'd.

With the copious and really countless BMW forums out there, GJ may help but is not the place I would go for suggestions unless looking for a specific tool or tools you need or cannot track down.

There are so many Euro specific tools out there that it even makes my head spin.

Many are generic. Many are not.
I suggest you seek out a local to you forum for local help and the bimmer forums for details as mentioned above.

It'd take me a week of typing to go thru what you need for each marque.
And I mean that statement in a loving way.

 

[WhoWhatNow]

e46fanatics.com is my source for information about all things e46, I am currently fixing an oil leak with a $5 oil filter housing gasket that most dealers charge about 3-800 in labor for. The e46 is bolted together fairly straightforward, the transmission requires e-torx and if it's an automatic I believe you need a 30mm bicycle headset wrench to get the fan off. Be sure to have 16 & 18mm handy those are sizes that aren't used on Japanese or most American cars that are definitely used on the e46.

I'm going to tackle that job on the wife's 525 tomorrow.

I think the oil filter cap is a 32mm so get a socket or wrench for that. 7 or 8mm hex for the brake rotor bolts. I would second the fan clutch tool as well. You can get it relatively cheap from Amazon. I also really like the Peake scan tool as well.

 

[lennoxlennox]

if you need some help on bmw work...start here

http://www.pelicanparts.com/bmw/techarticles/tech_main.htm

and here...

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/2-bmw-forums/

 

[franzdom]

I'm going to tackle that job on the wife's 525 tomorrow.

I think the oil filter cap is a 32mm so get a socket or wrench for that. 7 or 8mm hex for the brake rotor bolts. I would second the fan clutch tool as well. You can get it relatively cheap from Amazon. I also really like the Peake scan tool as well.

My oil filter cap is 36mm, and it was on my last 525 also. 7mm hex socket for brakes.

 

[WhoWhatNow]

My oil filter cap is 36mm, and it was on my last 525 also. 7mm hex socket for brakes.

This is correct. What the hell did I buy a 32mm wrench for then? Must have been something in the E36.

 

[Mr.Nutcase]

This is correct. What the hell did I buy a 32mm wrench for then? Must have been something in the E36.

BMW, VW cartridge filter use 36mm,
The 32mm is used some Dodge, and GM

 

[franzdom]

This is correct. What the hell did I buy a 32mm wrench for then? Must have been something in the E36.

Mechanical fan?

 

[lok]

 

[Ratchet.]

E-torx spanners could be handy, as you often cant get a socket one, some mm/inch bi-hex spanners will 'sorta' fit onto them at a push though.

i had the displeasure of replacing the clutch on a bmw mini, they have e-torx everywhere and usual no room for even a 1/4 ratchet, and i dont currently own any e-torx spanners, hence why i found out mm spanners will work sometimes (not advised if can be avoided) the e46 is a lot easier thankfully

 

[tjmonsen5]

Best 80 dollar investment I made for my BMWs was the fan clutch wrench and waterpump pulley holder tool from Pelicanparts.com I have used them countless times. Doing the job without these special tools really *****!

 

[franzdom]

Just finished a very satisfying job on my e46, as mentioned earlier it was an oil filter housing gasket. Had to remove the radiator fan, alternator, unbolt the power steering pump. I think I used 7-8 different ratchets, various low profile/shallow/semi/deep 13mm, 16 & 19mm shallow, 10 & 13mm nut drivers, 1/4" & 3/8" torque wrenches (oil filter housing bolts, vanos oil line banjo bolt, aluminum PS pulley bolts), T50 & T60 bit sockets on 3/8" breaker bar, picks, pry bars 12" & 18", 5/32" stubby bit socket for aftermarket radiator fan etc. It never hurts to have a strong arsenal of tools when working on this car. Also used the Bentley manual and the internet.

This job cost me about $10 in parts and I probably saved enough in labor to pay for most of the tools I touched while doing it.

 

[lennoxlennox]

fan clutch wrench

Yes!

waterpump pulley holder tool

save your money, cross jam a screwdriver between the two bolts

 

[blarf]

Oh I'm a sucker for these threads since I've got an E46. Stuff I didn't see mentioned:

I'd pick up a few *TORX Plus* bits (for the hydraulic serpentine belt tensioner and a few other odds and ends), a small 32mm wrench (VANOS solenoids), a decent trim removal tool (I'm a fan of the PB Swiss one) for all of the plastic rivets everywhere, picks, one of the clamshell type ball joint pullers.

There are definitely some more specialized odds and ends for the engine and suspension, but you can typically rent those.

And, of course, you really ought to get some sort of scan tool. Either pirate the BMW stuff or invest in (at the low end) a Peake reader.

 

[franzdom]

Snap, is that tensioner Torx Plus? Maybe that is why I just had to replace mine, and I recently got a TP set, now I know what to use it on!

 

[5mall5nail5]

Here's the tools needed to do E34 rear trailing arm bushings


Enerpac RTAB removal by Jon Kensy, on Flickr

Don't worry - it's only about $2000 in hydraulic press equipment lol

 

[yasha32]

I skipped the fan clutch wrench and went to the arm hammer add-on that matco sells to loosen those up.

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B000JFJLTC/?tag=atomicindus08-20

That works amazingly on a lot of the cars that roll through the shop..... just don't use it like an idiot and it wont wreck anything.

I would suggest some crows foots too if you don't have any, not good for any job in particular but make some stuff easier. I cant recall if it was bmw or audi, but the xzn fasteners you need the tools for to get them on and off more than a few times safely.

 

[bmwpower]

Not recommending anything in particular for your job, but good for browsing and realizing "hey, I could use that".

http://www.baumtools.com/stage/
http://www.pelicanparts.com/catalog/shopcart/BMWM/POR_BMWM_TOOLS1_pg1.htm
http://www.zdmak.com
http://www.samstagsales.com/bmwtools.htm
http://www.sirtools.com/bmw_tools.htm
...and of course, eBay.com

I have purchased special tools from Pelican, zdmak and sirtools, anything from a tailshaft nut socket, to a complete bushing set. Find something you like, shop around, prices vary.

 

[Fedwrench]

Just type BMW in the Ebay Motors automotive tools and see what pops up.
I'm told the BMW fasteners refuse budge unless you're using Hazet or Stahlwille tools.

Also while on Ebay motors tool section, browse for JTC tools. they're basically Taiwan knock offs of Hazet and Stahwille.

 

[Stuart in MN]

I don't know the size of the fan clutch nut on an e46, but on my older BMWs a bicycle spanner wrench from Park Tools works just fine and it only costs around $12.

 

[Bill R.]

Snap, is that tensioner Torx Plus? Maybe that is why I just had to replace mine, and I recently got a TP set, now I know what to use it on!

Nope the ac tensioner on a e46 is not a torx plus just a regular torx and most of them don't even take a torx, most take a 18 mm socket on both tensioners the ac and the alternator/waterpump.

The mechanical fan clutch on some e46's is a 32mm wrench size. I just use an old Huskey wrench from 50 years ago thats 1 1/4 with the thickness ground down to fit in the space on the hub, it has extra weight to it and i just smack it with a bfh to shock the hub nut loose. If its an automatic e46 it usually has a mechanical fan clutch ,if its a manual only electric fans.

 

[bsaint]

FWD bearing press kit to do the rear bearings.

 

[tjmonsen5]

Yes!



save your money, cross jam a screwdriver between the two bolts

Thats what I tried to do a few times, and it never worked. In my opinion, my pulley holder tool is one of my best tools because it makes the job easy and it works every time. No need to wrestle with the screwdriver and hope it doesnt slip.

 

[SpiderGearsMan]

chain wrench to hold the water pump pulley remove the fan clutch \

thermostat housing always leaks ...oil pan leaks ..so a good torque wrench


advil for head aches

 

[Griff93]

Nope the ac tensioner on a e46 is not a torx plus just a regular torx and most of them don't even take a torx, most take a 18 mm socket on both tensioners the ac and the alternator/waterpump.

The tensioners that aren't a T60 are a 16mm not an 18mm on an E46.

As for tools these guys have covered most of them. It's hard to have enough allens and torx. I don't like the water pump holding tool. I've broken two water pump pulleys with it when the bolt bent over because the fan clutch was on so tight. Astro makes a wheel bearing press kit that works really well on E46 rear wheel bearings if you have to tackle that job. Speaking of, having a 30mm, 32mm, and 36mm socket in 12 pt is a good idea for working on BMW's as they use these for rear axle nuts. I've also run into 12 pt in newer suspension stuff. If you have to take off intake or exhaust manifolds BMW likes to use 7x1.0 studs. The nuts for these are 11mm. SO makes a nice deep magnetic socket that works really well for these.