OEM BMW Roof Rack Wrench

So.... I find myself in the stupid position of starting to put the roof rack on my E46 today and not being able to find the specifically keyed wrench. At first glance, it looks like a regular bolt, but the pattern on the bolt isn't the same the whole way around, hence it needing a specific wrench. Wondering how I can replace this?

The diagrams on Penske Parts show a wrench with a part number and a note that it has to be "coded/programmed by your dealer," which suggests that your local dealer parts department should be able to order the correct replacement wrench for you.

Perfect. I had been looking for a schematic like that, but only seemed to by finding the listing as a kit. Thanks!

Just look on ebay for your roof rack tool it's about 4" long with a grey handle.. If you order through BMW it will cost you unnecessary $$$$

Originally Posted by BoDangles

Just look on ebay for your roof rack tool it's about 4" long with a grey handle.. If you order through BMW it will cost you unnecessary $$$$

They're specific keyed (no pun intended) to each roof rack if I remember correctly.

Originally Posted by briangl92

They're specific keyed (no pun intended) to each roof rack if I remember correctly.

You're correct. I just took a look at mine and there appears to be thousands of possibilities for this tongue and groove tool.

Guess I'll suck it up and call the dealer. Hoping the correct key can be reproduced with the specific part number and what is hopefully, a unique serial number on each set.

What a mess. Will post what I find out.

As it turns out, for once, the dealer has an inexpensive and easy solution for this. For $26, they simply a new wrench and 4 matching bolts. Once it arrives, I just swap out the bolts on the rack and done! Cautionary note though, if the rack had been ON the car and I had lost the wrench, the only way to get that off.... would be a locksmith, which I would wager would be a heck of a lot more than $26.

Wait so you are saying that the four screws I ordered (because I snapped one installing my rack) will not work with my current roof rack tool?

I'm sorry to be the bearer of bad news, but no. If it's the same set up I have, those bolts are specifically keyed to match the wrench. A new wrench won't work, and more importantly, can't even be keyed, for old bolts. And new bolts won't fit the old wrench. Sorry.... The upside is that for $26, you can order a set of four bolts and matching wrench.