Tool talk and torque

[Cooper]

I am about to spend some money on tools suitable for doing my own work on the Z3 and want to do this once without regrets. My Zed was manufactured in Germany and was sent to Australia VIN LL73078.

1. What socket set tools are recommended to do most jobs? For instance will a combination 1/4, 3/8, 1/2 drive socket set be adequate? I will check to see if it is metric or not, or both.

2. And for the adjustable torque wrench to 210Nm be fine for DIY'ers like me? This one is a 1/2 drive with adaptor to 3/8 with extension bar.

3. I believe that Torx screw drivers are also in order.

4. I have also ordered a trim removal kit.

Is there anything else that is considered essential or have any good advice for a novice like me? Thanks!

Cooper

 

[zedonist]

Nearly there cooper, I would add the following:

Off set ring spanner set

2nd ring and open end spanner set

Decent screw driver set

Extra socket extension bars of the wobble variety, especially if doing front control arms enough to make just over a meter length

Selection of three leg pullers

46mm socket for front hub nut

Pry bars

Hose clamps

Diagnostic tool / airbag reset tool

Axle stands, car ramps, trolley jack

Decent work light

Your torque wrench sounds fine, socket set ensure you get one that goes all the way from 4mm to 32mm, you would also be best buying some deep sockets from 10mm up, for internal torx drive get sockets and screw driver bits and therefore I would also add a ratchet screwdriver to the mix.

 

[Cooper]

That is awesome Zedonist, I appreciate the quick response.

I forgot to ask does a document exist that shows all the torque settings for various parts and does everyone use/recommend using thread grip like Loctite for most applications?

Cooper

 

[zedonist]

Yes there is TIS information available for torque settings as well as guidance when to use thread lock or thread adhesive, I will post the link later as just on way out, or someone else owl post in the meantime,

 

[roadvoyager1]

Hi Cooper, you may find the following link interesting and find out a few more facts about your car history and the specification.

http://www.bmwarchiv.de/vin/bmw-vin-decoder.html

Put your VIN into the search box and you will get all the details. It is in German but Google does a good job of translating.

 

[Cooper]

http://www.bmwarchiv.de/vin/bmw-vin-decoder.html Put your VIN into the search box and you will get all the details. It is in German but Google does a good job of translating.

Thanks Road. I found a site in English some time ago and fortunately it gave exactly the same information as per the German one above. I was surprised to discover that one the previous owners removed the fog lights! I have the switch but no lights - damn, now i have to add that to the wishlist! Haha.

I love the hardtop you have on the 2.8 and I have also added that to my list of things to get. It looks awesome!

 

[jonco]

Hi Cooper,
Have just tried to open the link I had to TIS torque settings but it has been closed down - I think BMW are clamping down on unofficial links. Zedonist probably has a different one.
You will find some information in here http://www.adkusters.dsmynas.com/Website mynas/BMW Z3 tis documenten.html#00_Maintenance_and_General_Data
Many of us have torque info in separate packages - so just ask when you need. They are also listed in Haynes Series 3 manual.

 

[FRANKIE]

Nearly there cooper, I would add the following:

Off set ring spanner set

2nd ring and open end spanner set

Decent screw driver set

Extra socket extension bars of the wobble variety, especially if doing front control arms enough to make just over a meter length

Selection of three leg pullers

46mm socket for front hub nut

Pry bars

Hose clamps

Diagnostic tool / airbag reset tool

Axle stands, car ramps, trolley jack

Decent work light

Your torque wrench sounds fine, socket set ensure you get one that goes all the way from 4mm to 32mm, you would also be best buying some deep sockets from 10mm up, for internal torx drive get sockets and screw driver bits and therefore I would also add a ratchet screwdriver to the mix.

Add a 100 tab bottle of aspirin.

 

[Rudyrov]

I am spoiled in the tool department because I have allways done 99% of the work on cars that I have owned. So I have lots of tools and continue to add as needed.
My point though is that the first tool I buy for any new vehicle in my garage is the factory manual. Even though the internet is a tremendous help now, I am a bit old fashioned and perform lots of rearch before tackling anything new to me.
Lastly, have fun!

 

[bonzo]

Nearly there cooper, I would add the following:


Selection of three leg pullers

.

Plenty of those on this forum!

 

[bonzo]

[QUOTE=", I am spoiled in the tool department ![/QUOTE]

Me too mate, but it keeps the missus happy!

 

[zedonist]

[QUOTE=", I am spoiled in the tool department !

Me too mate, but it keeps the missus happy![/QUOTE]
She into DIY then Bonzo.......

 

[badman gee]

You can't beat a large tool!

 

[Brian4]

All nut/bolts are metric sizes. Some sets don't have all the sizes 16mm required for the rear seat bolts and some of the bolts are 12mm and these 2 sizes are not usually in socket sets.

 

[FRANKIE]

All nut/bolts are metric sizes. Some sets don't have all the sizes 16mm required for the rear seat bolts and some of the bolts are 12mm and these 2 sizes are not usually in socket sets.

I used to hate fishing through my tool box looking for the right size socked, especially here where not everything is metric. So I bought some cheap woman's nail polish, orange and yellow, and painted the most used ones so I could find them quickly. Now just watch and see some of the forthcoming comments I get here about what I did with the extra nail polish. My forum friends just won't let an opportunity like this pass.

 

[t-tony]

All nut/bolts are metric sizes. Some sets don't have all the sizes 16mm required for the rear seat bolts and some of the bolts are 12mm and these 2 sizes are not usually in socket sets.

Many sockets sets these days do include what used to be "odd" sizes as they very common now on almost all manufacturers models. All to do with lightness, like for instance 17mm wheel bolts where there used to be 19mm ones, only now the 17mm have the centres drilled out to loose even more weight.

 

[bonzo]

badman gee, You can't beat a large tool![/QUOTE]

You can, but it tends to hurt somewhat!


zedonist,
She into DIY then Bonzo.......[/QUOTE]

Oh yes, I just lie back and enjoy!

 

[bonzo]

Add a 100 tab bottle of aspirin.

Don't forget the swear box!

 

[FRANKIE]

Don't forget the swear box!

I used to work in the street under my car when it was up on jackstands. I live at the end of a dead end street so when I started swearing at the car, no one really heard me. But I had a wheaton terrier who lived to 18 and a half years who knew my temper and when I started to swear, she would come under the car where I was and start to lick my face to calm me down. Absolutely unbelievable. Stopped my temper fits dead in their tracks. I do miss that dog.

 

[Sailorbaz]

I always found a set of picks handy too. For removing wee pieces of trim covering screw/bolt heads etc. They can be a bit delicate when you go in with a flathead screwdriver, the pick set is a little sharper and comes in various shapes and sizes. About 15gbp will buy you something decent.