DIY: S65 M3 Rod Bearing

[Scharbag]

Originally Posted by jvictormp

Right, so I'm lifting a little more.

I did it on jack stands. Don't go too high or you will have to reach to get to the rods. I put my car up to almost the top of 6T jack stands though. And remove your sub-frame!!! Drop the front end, including the struts, and if you have not removed the top alignment dowel, you do not even need to get an alignment after!! Doing it on stands with the sub-fram in the way would suuuuk.

Cheers,

[jvictormp]

Originally Posted by Scharbag

I did it on jack stands. Don't go too high or you will have to reach to get to the rods. I put my car up to almost the top of 6T jack stands though. And remove your sub-frame!!! Drop the front end, including the struts, and if you have not removed the top alignment dowel, you do not even need to get an alignment after!! Doing it on stands with the sub-fram in the way would suuuuk.

Cheers,

I'm way too scared of removing the power steering parts! Gonna try with the subframe hanging.

[jvictormp]

Having trouble loosing the bolts between transmission and sump.

Tried this 12-point 10mm socket, no success.





Guess I need a 9-point 10mm socket, like this below?

[Scharbag]

Originally Posted by jvictormp

Having trouble loosing the bolts between transmission and sump.

Tried this 12-point 10mm socket, no success.





Guess I need a 9-point 10mm socket, like this below?

Use a 3/8" box end wrench. They are 12 point and it fits those tight.

[jvictormp]

Great, let's try it!

[pbonsalb]

Pictures aren’t showing on my phone. Are they male torx head? If so a 10mm 12 point wrench will probably get you by, but consider adding a set of female torx sockets to your tool kit. I use the 10mm 12 point on the x pipe to header bolts to hold the bolt head while I loosen or tighten the nut.

[jvictormp]

Originally Posted by pbonsalb

Pictures aren’t showing on my phone. Are they male torx head? If so a 10mm 12 point wrench will probably get you by, but consider adding a set of female torx sockets to your tool kit. I use the 10mm 12 point on the x pipe to header bolts to hold the bolt head while I loosen or tighten the nut.

Yes, they are.

I regret not having this torx sockets set. I could swear I had

Now I tried with a 3/8" socket, as Scharbag suggested, and it worked with a bolt that I hadn't touch yet.

Tried next with the bolt I already made some damages on its head, no success. The head is too damaged to work with anything that is not a torx. I'm afraid it doesn't work with a torx too, because of the damage, but I'll have to try.

So now I'm stopping, and I'll try to borrow an E12 torx socket with a friend, or, in the worst scenario, buy it online.

[pbonsalb]

You may have to tap it on with a hammer and replace the bolt after you get it out. You could change to an Allen or standard head if you don’t want to go to a dealer.

[jvictormp]

Okay. Would you know if I'll need any other size of external torx besides E12 in this entire procedure? Because tomorrow I'll be getting an E12 borrowed, and if I need other sizes, I'd get too.

[SYT_Shadow]

Originally Posted by jvictormp

Okay. Would you know if I'll need any other size of external torx besides E12 in this entire procedure? Because tomorrow I'll be getting an E12 borrowed, and if I need other sizes, I'd get too.

What about the steering rack one? Is that E12 as well or E10?

[pbonsalb]

You will want a full set of torx eventually so consider buying a set. It’s been years since I last did rod bearings so I defer to SYT, but I think the oil pan bolts are torx and some are recessed so you need to use 1/4 drive with an extension.

[jvictormp]

Originally Posted by SYT_Shadow

What about the steering rack one? Is that E12 as well or E10?

I don't know, but in doubt I'll get borrowed the two sizes.

Originally Posted by pbonsalb

You will want a full set of torx eventually so consider buying a set. It’s been years since I last did rod bearings so I defer to SYT, but I think the oil pan bolts are torx and some are recessed so you need to use 1/4 drive with an extension.

Yeah, I certainly will. Not doing this right now because of the pandemic, all stores are closed.

[jvictormp]

Right tool, right work!!

[jvictormp]

The fourth of these bolts is difficult to access with a socket, I suspect it's only in the manual gearbox.

The socket will fit, but the tool won't.

Well, I can do it with the 3/8" box end wrench 12-point, but I was thinking.. will I be able to fasten it after the job done, with a torque wrench?

Can I fasten it without a torque wrench?

[SYT_Shadow]

Those are fastened 'good and tight'

[jvictormp]

Nice! So I just loosened it, buuuut.. there is no room for the bolt to get out of the hole.

I guess I'll have to undo that hexagonal bolt beside it and try to move a little the black tubes. Let me know if this is good, or any other idea.

[SYT_Shadow]

Originally Posted by jvictormp

Nice! So I just loosened it, buuuut.. there is no room for the bolt to get out of the hole.

I guess I'll have to undo that hexagonal bolt beside it and try to move a little the black tubes. Let me know if this is good, or any other idea.

It doesn't have to get out completely. Only the tip goes into the oil pan.

[Scharbag]

Originally Posted by SYT_Shadow

It doesn't have to get out completely. Only the tip goes into the oil pan.

Just the tip!!

[SYT_Shadow]

Originally Posted by Scharbag

Just the tip!!

Cue all the 'that's what she said' comments

[pbonsalb]

Maybe break it free, remove the bulky socket before it gets in the way, and then use 12 pt box end wrench to loosen it more. I think I undid the black pipe bracket but it did not help much because the pipes are secured else where.

[jvictormp]

Right, guys. It worked out, the bolt is free. Came out a little wet of oil, that's normal, right? Came out, I mean, it's still there, but the tip is free, the way you suggested. Only the tip, like the ladies say lol.

What you say about this heat protection of that hose? My car is never tracked, only street driving - sometimes hard. I think exhaust heat will not damage the hose this way, right? If not, how would you suggest me to change it?

Going to the steering rack now.

[SYT_Shadow]

Originally Posted by jvictormp

Right, guys. It worked out, the bolt is free. Came out a little wet of oil, that's normal, right? Came out, I mean, it's still there, but the tip is free, the way you suggested. Only the tip, like the ladies say lol.

What you say about this heat protection of that hose? My car is never tracked, only street driving - sometimes hard. I think exhaust heat will not damage the hose this way, right? If not, how would you suggest me to change it?

Going to the steering rack now.

Yes totally normal for it to be wet. I mean it had its tip in, right?

The heat protection shouldn't look like that. Something ate it or something