Having a hard time removing bolts from steel splash shield on 2003 3.0

squidzilla · #1 04-20-2015, 10:38 PM

Well I am trying to remove the steel belly pan thing and I am not able to get the two bolts removed that have the nuts attached to them. They are near the front of the car.

I opened the flip down shield and tried to put a 16mm socket on it with a small ratchet but cant seem to find enough space. The I tried few different size wrenches and that didn't work. Any ideas? I just need to hold the nut in place so I can remove the dang bolt. What do you guys use to do this?

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cn90 · #2 04-20-2015, 10:43 PM

I wrote the DIY below:
http://www.xoutpost.com/bmw-sav-foru...se-fluids.html

You need offset wrench to counterhold. I forgot the size of the counterhold nut, my guess is that it is also 16-mm.

squidzilla · #3 04-21-2015, 12:30 AM

Thanks for replying. Yes the nut is 16mm. I tried used just a regular wrench but that does not work. I guess I need t go buy a set of offset wrenches. I had no idea that type of wrench existed.

oldskewel · #4 04-21-2015, 12:47 AM

A regular 16mm combination wrench worked fine for me on my 2001 3.0i.

squidzilla · #5 04-21-2015, 01:14 AM

Yeah I don't have a 16mm wrench and based off of the searches I need t go buy a 16mm offset wrench and a 16mm combination wrench. It bugs me the set I bought did not come with a 16mm. It went from 15mm to 17mm etc. Thanks for the ideas guys.

oldskewel · #6 04-21-2015, 01:47 AM

Just a thought - does the X5 tool kit have a 16mm wrench?

squidzilla · #7 04-21-2015, 02:20 AM

The x5 came with a tool kit? I think I should check and see. Didn't know it came with one. Thought it came with the usual tire iron and that is it.

Joshdub · #8 04-21-2015, 02:26 AM

Pick up a set of these. They will come in handy more than you know.
8 Piece Metric Offset Box Wrench Set

OptimusPriM5 · #9 04-21-2015, 11:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by trader4

It's not just two bolts that have nuts on them, all of them (8?) do.
I got to mine with a 16mm combination wrench, using the box
end. I went in to some of them from the wheel well side, reaching
around, feeling for it. First time I did this, I had the wheels off
the car and you can see/reach them from there too. Once you
know where they are, you can do it from underneath, by feeling,
but it is a bit tricky to get the wrench on, because there isn't much
room, stuff in the way, etc.

Ive done this twice and its a bit of some contortionist action too I only used socket wrench and regular box wrench combo but mine was a 4.6 so not sure how different from a room perspective there is.

Oh and BTW the plate was heavier than I thought and 2 people is easier when reinstalling too, again thats on my 4.6 not sure weight differential on 3.0...FYI

Oh and I presume your removing this to change your front diff fluid?

squidzilla · #10 04-21-2015, 11:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by OptimusPriM5

Ive done this twice and its a bit of some contortionist action too I only used socket wrench and regular box wrench combo but mine was a 4.6 so not sure how different from a room perspective there is.

Oh and BTW the plate was heavier than I thought and 2 people is easier when reinstalling too, again thats on my 4.6 not sure weight differential on 3.0...FYI

Oh and I presume your removing this to change your front diff fluid?

Yeah I am doing the front diff fluid and want to check carefully for any leaks. I normally have my mechanic do this stuff for me but I am going to to do all of this stuff myself. I see everyone here do all of there own stuff and my plan was to one day be like them and this is my first attempt at doing something besides an oil change and air filter change. Thanks for the tip on the plate, I was thinking it as pretty light so I may have my jack underneath it just in case.

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