M42club.com - Home of the BMW E30/E36 318i/iS

DISCUSSION => General Topics => Topic started by: nomad on August 17, 2007, 11:46:52 AM

Title: Head bolt special tool? Extended torx tool?
Post by: nomad on August 17, 2007, 11:46:52 AM: So what has everyone used on the M42 head bolts? Does everyone get the special BMW tool for $55? It's an extended torx I guess. Is the bolt head a raised male torx, or a recessed female torx?

I need to get the tool before I start taking the head off and want to get the right thing.

Edit:

So I saw on ebay an E-12 torx socket for 1/2" drive it's extended maybe 3-4 inches? It's made fro this and the M42 is listed.
Would another version be available at Sears or something? I'd like o just pick one up.

Do we need a thinwall deep version? It'd be nice just to buy a whole set because the tranny bolts are similar.

Thanks
Title: Head bolt special tool? Extended torx tool?
Post by: badboypolar on August 17, 2007, 12:03:51 PM: E12 torx. You'll need a 6 inch extension. You can find them at any Napa store (http://www.napaonline.com)
Title: Head bolt special tool? Extended torx tool?
Post by: nomad on August 17, 2007, 12:28:39 PM: So I can use a regular e12 socket and use my regular 6" extension?

There is enough room that you don't need the one peice thin tool?

Should I get 3/8" drive or 1/2" drive?
Title: Head bolt special tool? Extended torx tool?
Post by: bmwpower on August 17, 2007, 12:40:14 PM: Get a magnet if you don't have one. I was only able to get my bolts/washers out with a magnet.
Title: Head bolt special tool? Extended torx tool?
Post by: nomad on August 17, 2007, 04:49:55 PM: I have a telescoping magnet I can use.

I stopped by NAPA and picked up an E12 regular 3/8" drive socket. I figure it is better than nothing. The shaft is 3/4" diameter. Will that be able to fit into the area if I put it on a 6" extension?
The tool they sell is about 5/8" diameter max and is 4-5 inch long.
Title: Head bolt special tool? Extended torx tool?
Post by: bmwpower on August 17, 2007, 06:53:20 PM: Quote from: nomad;31831
I have a telescoping magnet I can use.

I stopped by NAPA and picked up an E12 regular 3/8" drive socket. I figure it is better than nothing. The shaft is 3/4" diameter. Will that be able to fit into the area if I put it on a 6" extension?
The tool they sell is about 5/8" diameter max and is 4-5 inch long.

I'll go out and check in a little bit...

Was the socket a Lisle socket? If so, I have the same one and test
Title: Head bolt special tool? Extended torx tool?
Post by: nomad on August 17, 2007, 09:36:10 PM: Sorry, I was unclear. The socket I bought from NAPA was the size of any other regular socket. 3/4" diameter round 1" long or so.
like: (http://i9.ebayimg.com/04/i/000/b0/18/c70e_1.JPG)

The tool they sell on ebay is longer and thinner: (http://i23.ebayimg.com/02/i/000/88/24/d521_2.JPG)

I'm just trying to makesure I can use the $5 one I have or if I need the $50 one
Title: Head bolt special tool? Extended torx tool?
Post by: bmwpower on August 17, 2007, 10:22:20 PM: Quote from: nomad;31866
Sorry, I was unclear. The socket I bought from NAPA was the size of any other regular socket. 3/4" diameter round 1" long or so.
like: (http://i9.ebayimg.com/04/i/000/b0/18/c70e_1.JPG)

The tool they sell on ebay is longer and thinner: (http://i23.ebayimg.com/02/i/000/88/24/d521_2.JPG)

I'm just trying to makesure I can use the $5 one I have or if I need the $50 one

In that case, I'll have to check with my ebay tool to see how much room I have. I don't have the same sockets as those, but if it's 3/4" I can check those as well...

Going out now...
Title: Head bolt special tool? Extended torx tool?
Post by: bmwpower on August 17, 2007, 11:48:09 PM: Just checked... the socket I have from Lisle is 3/4" in diameter and it does NOT fit.

The eBay tool I have is approximately is a tad less than 11/16"...0.67 inches to be exact.

Not sure what sockets everyone else has who has done it with normal sockets, but they must be low profile or something.
Title: Head bolt special tool? Extended torx tool?
Post by: nomad on August 18, 2007, 01:13:58 AM: Wow, thanks a ton!
I'll have to get that tool right away.
Title: Head bolt special tool? Extended torx tool?
Post by: bmwpower on August 18, 2007, 02:00:05 AM: Quote from: nomad;31878
Wow, thanks a ton!
I'll have to get that tool right away.

Yea, just be careful with that cheap sleeve on the end that holds the ball bearing in. Mine popped off and almost dropped the ball bearing down inside the fricken engine. Might want to just take it off completely before starting.
Title: Head bolt special tool? Extended torx tool?
Post by: nomad on August 18, 2007, 02:07:48 AM: Read your post on that earlier. I just got that one off of ebay and will promptly take that off the end. Thanks for giving good info and good responses on the site!

I try to give helpful tips when I can and I certainly appreciate you giving good responses. I hope someone can use this info in the future too.
Title: Head bolt special tool? Extended torx tool?
Post by: phredphish on August 24, 2007, 05:22:42 PM: I had to grind my socket down to allow it to fit, although mine was from Snap-On.
Title: Head bolt special tool? Extended torx tool?
Post by: nomad on August 24, 2007, 06:04:26 PM: For disassembly I think a deep 6pt socket that fits will get you there. I used about a 1.5 foot breaker and it wasn't too much effort so for undoing the bolts I think it'd be ok. At your own risk of course.

I did wait for the tool which is beefy, worked perfectly and fit nicely. I took the ball bearing off which was definitely sketchy.

A simple magnet tipped pointer got everything out fine.
Title: Head bolt special tool? Extended torx tool?
Post by: romkasponka on August 25, 2007, 02:39:07 AM: When I was looking for extra long socket I desided to cut apart socket and weld torx end to the extension and special tool was made ;)