$75 for reinforcment plate bolts and nuts?

[CrazyOneToo]

Originally Posted by mtthmpsn

This looks like an old thread, but I would imagine you would want to tighten them to the same spec (i.e., with 90deg turn). I just reused my original bolts after changing the front diff fluid, didn't add the full 90deg turn, and am definitely hearing some creaking underneath at slow speeds. I'm going to go back and re-tighten but would consider replacing if I could find a cheaper alternative to OEM like these.

Well my X5 was bought used and I don't know what the previous owner has done to it. I have the creaking sound already when I go over slightly uneven areas. I'm going to have to remove it soon since my Oil Level Sensor is reading low all the time. I had a CCV go bad and replaced all that system but not before the Oil Filter Housing gasket started leaking. I'm hoping it's all been fixed now. I think all the oil that leaked out fried the sensor. The sensor and plug are covered in oil. I'll try to find some bolts that are not $15 each to use. Thanks

[mtthmpsn]

Originally Posted by CrazyOneToo

I'll try to find some bolts that are not $15 each to use.

Let me know what you find and where and how they end up working out. Thanks.

[razorboy]

I have gone ahead and ordered new nuts and bolts from McMaster Carr

Under 20.00 for 10 bolts and 50 nuts to JIS standards.
IMO, anything else is crazy!

[crystalworks]

Originally Posted by razorboy

I have gone ahead and ordered new nuts and bolts from McMaster Carr

Under 20.00 for 10 bolts and 50 nuts to JIS standards.
IMO, anything else is crazy!

Do you think you could you link to the ones you purchased? I know I'd appreciate it. I reused my bolts/nuts with no ill effects. I torqued to spec (40 something ft/lbs) and then did a 45 degree instead of the 90. Added some loctite to the bolts as well just as a precaution. I have no creaking or other weird noises but I would like to have some replacements on hand in case something develops.

[Ricky Bobby]

Originally Posted by crystalworks

Do you think you could you link to the ones you purchased? I know I'd appreciate it. I reused my bolts/nuts with no ill effects. I torqued to spec (40 something ft/lbs) and then did a 45 degree instead of the 90. Added some loctite to the bolts as well just as a precaution. I have no creaking or other weird noises but I would like to have some replacements on hand in case something develops.

x2 this would be great to have on hand!

[dannyzabolotny]

I reused the bolts on my reinforcement plate after I did my chain guide job. After 1000 miles I had no creaking and no problems with it. I didn't even torque the bolts with a torque wrench, I just torqued them until they were good and tight. Granted, I have 214,000 miles on my X5 with mostly original suspension components so I wouldn't really notice any additional slop. I had to take the plate off to remove my front driveshaft, so I'll be reusing the bolts once again when I reassemble everything. We'll see what happens.

[Chamberlin]

A set of 6 bolts and nuts from ECS tuning (the cheapest I've found) is now $117.30 FYI. Getting pretty ridiculous. I'm about to re-torque mine for the 2nd time this year, and I'm pretty sure they were re-used a half-dozen times before I got a hold of my X5 at 144K miles and a huge stack of service records, none of which show replacement M10x55 bolts.

[cn90]

I have removed these bolts 3-4 times and put them back on (re-used them).
Zero issues.

They are as strong as wheel lugs.

I just wish the BMW engineers wrote the repair manual in a different way, i.e., allowing these bolts to be re-used.

[Chamberlin]

Originally Posted by cn90

I have removed these bolts 3-4 times and put them back on (re-used them).
Zero issues.

They are as strong as wheel lugs.

I just wish the BMW engineers wrote the repair manual in a different way, i.e., allowing these bolts to be re-used.

Yea I agree. I just got done reading about 200 posts on multiple forums about these damn bolts. I'll take care to torque to spec, but not add the extra 90° of yield rotation. I remember working on my lifted Jeep Wrangler Rubicon years ago, and just blast home all the skid plate and cross-member bolts with an impact wrench! E53 is a different beast, but TTY bolts spec'd in this application does seem a bit ridiculous. All this fuss just to change a leaking transmission selector shaft seal! And now an oil change and oil level sensor seal while I got the plate off!

[oldskewel]

Originally Posted by Chamberlin

... I'll take care to torque to spec, but not add the extra 90° of yield rotation...

I basically agree, but you can probably safely go tighter than that.

These are M10 - 1.5 x 55mm, class 10.9 bolts and nuts.

The torque spec per Bentley is 56 Nm + 90*.

For fasteners with unspecified torque values, the Bentley, p020-4 says that you can go to 66 Nm for a M10 class 10.9 bolt.

So if you're going to skip on the 90*, you can safely go to 66 Nm with no fear of breaking anything. The Bentley gives these numbers with no specs on surface prep, so there is probably some leeway above that in most cases.

When the bolts were first installed, they probably were TTA'ed. If that did yield them (it should have), that process would have strain hardened them, meaning they can now go even tighter without further yield.

Put all that together, and you should feel very safe going to 66 Nm.

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... and on the ever-inflating pricing on these, I really think they passed a tipping point where most people who think rationally will decide it is too much $$ and will find a workaround as we are discussing here. Beyond that point, you're left with people who would pay virtually any price BMW names because they want to go by BMW's spec. Period. No matter the price, if it's "required." And once you're in that inflation zone, there is not much to hold it back and the price just goes.

Anticipating disagreement on this from some, what if BMW said you needed new bolts every time the plate came off and they cost $1000 per bolt, and for that you got a nut at half price, so only $200? Yes, each. And yes, they are regular M10 class 10.9 nuts and bolts, but these are specially handled and distributed from the BMW dealer. Help yourself to some free coffee while we get them for you. Oh sorry, we'll need to special order those, we don't actually stock them, since of course we just re-use the old ones. Not to worry, we'll waive the special order markup fee, but don't tell people we gave you such a good deal.