I tried to change the serpentine and AC belts, the belt tensioners had a plastic cap, underneath was what appeared to be a torx bolt, does anyone know what size? I tried a T50, no dice.
Mine isn't a hex, it's a torx. T60 works great.
- E39 comes in 2 flavors: pry the cap and use a mirror to look. It is either 8mm Hex or Torx #50.
- To undo the mechanical tensioner, you need Torx 60.
- I wrote a Partial Cooling Overhaul for my 2006 X5 M54 and you can see the detail below, my 2006 X5 M54 engine has a mix of both 8-mm Hex and T50! Go figure why these German engineers mixed different types of bolts!!!
https://xoutpost.com/bmw-sav-forums/...16k-miles.html
The mechanical tensioner was often upgraded with a hydraulic tensioner. The retrofit kit didn't include fasteners, so there isn't a predictable fastener head.
It's not TORX it's TORX+. TP45 or 55 I think.
Last edited by blarf; 06-22-2018 at 03:14 AM.
Depending on the year and assembly point there were multiple vendors who supplied those parts. Each one including the aftermarket uses Torx, Torx+, Metric HEX (Allen Wrench as they invented it or at least popularized it in the US) hole, or in the aftermarket SAE (Fractional) Hex hole. Add a few tools to your fishing tackle box and you will find out what you have. IT IS NOT ROCKET SCIENCE.
Where to buy tools: Sears, Harbor Freight, https://www.tooltopia.com/ (my favorite), Amazon, the local big box store (Home Depot, Lowes, even Costco). The real question for you is do you want to build up a set of tools that you can use over your lifetime or do you just add odds and ends so your hunting all your life trying to discover what tool is needed so off you go to ask someone else? Pick a path....
Before someone else chips in and says the solution to every issue is a BFH, get one of those too....
Last edited by StephenVA; 06-23-2018 at 10:37 AM.
Current Garage Highlights
2003 525iT TiSilver
2002 M5 TiSilver
1998 528i KASCHMIRBEIGE METALLIC (301) (Goldie)
Former Garage Highlights
2005 X5 4.8is
2004 325iTs (2x)
1973 Pantera L
1971 Dodge Dart Swinger "Lite Package"
1970 Dodge Challenger T/A 340 Six Pack Alpine White
1970 Dodge Challenger T/A 340 Six Pack GoManGo Green
1969 Road Runner 383
1968 Barracuda Formula S 340 Sea Foam Green
I pay for the tools to come to me... .. . SnapOn!
Set the controls for the heart of the sun
Now now, don’t mention that tools purchased for a life time are more effective, better engineered materials and you really do get what you pay for when buying high quality tools when compare to pot metal junk as it will be lost on the fishing tackle box crowd!
Those who invest in tools always end up prepared for 90% of DIY projects.
Meanwhile at the local pick a part there are people taking the “toolsets” found in the trunks as BMW special tools.....😀
You can (apparently) sell the BMW tools for $$$. And they just toss them into their bag, so they don't cost anything.
There, another tool source and income generator...
Current Garage Highlights
2003 525iT TiSilver
2002 M5 TiSilver
1998 528i KASCHMIRBEIGE METALLIC (301) (Goldie)
Former Garage Highlights
2005 X5 4.8is
2004 325iTs (2x)
1973 Pantera L
1971 Dodge Dart Swinger "Lite Package"
1970 Dodge Challenger T/A 340 Six Pack Alpine White
1970 Dodge Challenger T/A 340 Six Pack GoManGo Green
1969 Road Runner 383
1968 Barracuda Formula S 340 Sea Foam Green
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