tools for a new owner

Hi,
I am a new owner of a 2001 530i. I am planning to do a coolant system overhaul and other stuff which will come my way. I have common hand tools , sockets , drive, extension etc. What else is specific to BMW.

Do I need 32 mm wrench for fan clutch or a 32 mm socket mounted on 1/2" drive will do.
http://www.harborfreight.com/32mm-x-...ket-67830.html

I will first try a screw driver for holding the waterpump from turning and then go for special tool.

For general repairs Do I need to get a set of Hex keys, and a set of torx keys ( I have some torx bits from volvo).


Regards,

You need the wrench. Clearance is tight, and you'll have trouble fitting a socket in there.

+1 on the 32 mm wrench
36mm for oil filter cap
16mm thin bicycle wrench for sway bar links
wobble adapters are nice (better than a universal) for getting to spark plug #6
Hex and torx bits are always handy and fairly cheap at HF

Originally Posted by vclifford

...I will first try a screw driver for holding the waterpump from turning and then go for special tool.

If you order them separately, you'll end up paying almost double the freight. Expect to spend a little under $50, including shipping for the two. If you get them separately, you'll spend closer to $75. I searched and searched and debated and debated and finally said, "The heck with it" (or words to that effect), and ordered both, from an eBay supplier. They just arrived and look good.

Depending upon whether you will be changing tranny & diff fluids yourself, you'll need to get a couple large hex head sockets (14mm?) and some smaller ones (6-7mm?) to remove brake calipers & rotors.

Originally Posted by ZeroDfx

Depending upon whether you will be changing tranny & diff fluids yourself, you'll need to get a couple large hex head sockets (14mm?) and some smaller ones (6-7mm?) to remove brake calipers & rotors.

Right on. You will also need T30, T45, T20, and T25 bits. If I remember correctly, a 8mm hex is needed also.

Thank you guys. I guess an adjustable wrench should be fine for the 36 MM oil filter housing.

After owning 3 BMWs you end up needing a bigger tool box. no joke

Originally Posted by Whorse

After owning 3 BMWs you end up needing a bigger tool box. no joke

+1

add a good torque wrench to the list.

This set...you will not be sorry

Originally Posted by Whorse

After owning 3 BMWs you end up needing a bigger tool box. no joke

Judging by this I guess you have spare engines in your basement and 2-3 parts cars in backyard

If you've got a 1 1/4" open end wrench, it will work fine instead of a 32mm for removing the fan clutch.

Originally Posted by vclifford

Thank you guys. I guess an adjustable wrench should be fine for the 36 MM oil filter housing.

HELL NO!! Unless you want to spend another 4-5 hours removing a lot of the front end to R&R the complete oil filter housing!! Here's the link to the procedure from a BMW Tech who documented the DIY: http://forums.bimmerforums.com/forum...1#post13970831

I just learned this the hard way; it took me a full day since the procedure was new to me.
For the cost of $8.99 plus tax you can pick up a 36mm 1/2" drive socket that will fit on a torque wrench to make certain all the force on the filter cap is vertical and not horizontal (pulling it away from the engine block).

Originally Posted by ZeroDfx

HELL NO!! Unless you want to spend another 4-5 hours removing a lot of the front end to R&R the complete oil filter housing!! Here's the link to the procedure from a BMW Tech who documented the DIY: http://forums.bimmerforums.com/forum...1#post13970831

I just learned this the hard way; it took me a full day since the procedure was new to me.
For the cost of $8.99 plus tax you can pick up a 36mm 1/2" drive socket that will fit on a torque wrench to make certain all the force on the filter cap is vertical and not horizontal (pulling it away from the engine block).

Thanks for the advice. I guess a 12 pt socket will be fine as well. Do you really use a torque wrench to tighten that, I do have one but this sounds like high standard for oil filter cap.

Regards,

Originally Posted by vclifford

Judging by this I guess you have spare engines in your basement and 2-3 parts cars in backyard

Hahahaha Very close, I have 1 spare engine in the garage along with an e30 and another e30 worth of parts. (parts car chopped up to save space) lol Just got this new box cause my old roll away was so over stuffed i couldn't open the drawers or find what i needed asap.
And the jesus statue in the corner is my helper on tedious e39 repairs.

This is what I use. Been adding to my collection for a while. EBAY actually has great deals on used tool boxes.

And yes, it is filled with MAC Tools.

Originally Posted by charlesberry

This is what I use. Been adding to my collection for a while. EBAY actually has great deals on used tool boxes.

And yes, it is filled with MAC Tools.

nice! now we gotta join a tool box forum, flat bed our boxes to shows and clean em up for concours class lmao

Originally Posted by Whorse

nice! now we gotta join a tool box forum, flat bed our boxes to shows and clean em up for concours class lmao

Whorse - I saw your box and thought "My new best friend!!"

On a serious note - a good set of tools will really save you thousands of dollars. I've done the cooling overhaul, brakes, oil filter housing gasket, and other small repairs. I can honestly say my tools have paid been paid for. Oh yeah, lots of oil changes!! At 128,000 miles I have no problem driving the car to California and back. Every repair I've done was done with DIY's from this website. Oh guys, invest in a a set of HEAVY DUTY jack stands. I still don't like getting under the car without a lift.

Originally Posted by charlesberry

Whorse - I saw your box and thought "My new best friend!!"

On a serious note - a good set of tools will really save you thousands of dollars. I've done the cooling overhaul, brakes, oil filter housing gasket, and other small repairs. I can honestly say my tools have paid been paid for. Oh yeah, lots of oil changes!! At 128,000 miles I have no problem driving the car to California and back. Every repair I've done was done with DIY's from this website. Oh guys, invest in a a set of HEAVY DUTY jack stands. I still don't like getting under the car without a lift.

lmao, if my garage was tall enough i would already have a lift. We have been looking to buy our own house and every house we went to look at i was only concerned with the garage. lol yes i got problems

If you ever have a job that needs a second pair of hands, let me know. I'm right across the river.

There is no way you can get a 32mm socket on the fan clutch nut because the water pump in on one end and the fan is on the other.

However, you can easily make or buy for a few bucks decent fan counterhold & 32mm open-end wrench tools (from this thread) :


For brakes, these are the tools you'll need (from this thread):


See also from the bestlinks ...
Basic Tools:
- Basic tools needed for working on the BMW E39 (1) (2) (3)
- Where to get the BMW Bentley shop manual (1)
- Where to get a cheap OBDII DTC scanner (1) (2) or a better scanner (1) or the best diagnostic tools (1) (2) (3)

How to make your own E39 specialized tools:
- How to make your own BMW cooling system overhaul fan clutch nut counterhold tools (1) (2)
- How to make your own BMW thrust bushing tool (1) or buy them (1) (2) or improvise (1)
- How to make your own BMW car ramps (1)
- How to make your own BMW subframe & differential bushings tool (1)
- How to make your own BMW oxygen sensor removal tool (1)
- How to make your own BMW single-VANOS solonoid socket tool (1)
- How to make your own BMW camber & toe-in alignment tools (1)
- How to make your own BMW hella headlight adjusters (1) (2)
- How to make your own BMW rtab removal tool (1)
- How to make your own BMW upper timing chain locking tool (1)
- How to make your own BMW flywheel locking tool (1)
- How to make your own BMW cylinder head bolt removal tool (1)
- How to make your own BMW cam locking nut tool (1)
- How to make your own BMW crankshaft holder tool (1)
- How to make your own alignment tools to adjust toe-in and camber (1)


For oil changes, these are what is needed (from this thread):

One little correction Bluebee, You right about the wrench not fitting between the fan and pump BUT this does not go for all wrenches, My craftsmen wrenches don't fit but a cheapo name brand wrench i have does fit with no problem. I never had to use the pump holder unless the belts were already off the engine. I use the wrench and a rubber mallet after about 3 wacks it spins right off.
Ill check out what name brand it is tonight

Originally Posted by Whorse

a cheapo name brand wrench i have does fit with no problem

I agree.

There 'are' (long handled, thin) open-end wrenches which 'do' fit (they're all covered in the aforementioned thread).
- How to make your own BMW cooling system overhaul fan clutch nut counterhold tools (1)



But, here is where the OP used the word "socket" & specifically a 1/2-inch drive socket:

Originally Posted by vclifford

Do I need 32 mm wrench for fan clutch or a 32 mm socket mounted on 1/2" drive will do.

So (Bob &) I were responding to the socket part only.

As Bobdmac intimated, there's just no way a "socket" will fit (but, as you said, a thin and long open-end wrench will fit just fine - but it has to be long and thin to work best).

BTW, I asked the same 'dumb question' over in that thread ... only I was assuming (incorrectly) I could use the box wrench on the nut. I was quickly disabused of that notion:

Originally Posted by Whorse

I use the wrench and a rubber mallet after about 3 wacks it spins right off.

Yes. This is what 'most' people do. It's all covered (with videos) in that aforementioned thread for the OP.


Me? I prefer to use the right tools. Here's a picture of my tools:


And, here's a picture of my counterhold tool in action:


Since the tools to work on your BMW are free, I generally buy the right tool for the right job.

However, some people make do with whatever they have handy:


But, for me, I just don't trust myself with a crescent wrench on the pulley or swinging a mallet on the nut as you can see people hit the plastic radiator and busted it open in those threads ...


I suggest the OP simply get this 8-dollar wrench:

You don't need the clutch holder just the wrench. Whack the wrench with the hammer. Remember, It is a left -- hand thread, and it will pop right off. You can get the 32mm Thorsen wrench at BIG LOTS for $4.00