Drive belts replacement

[Bill K]

Originally Posted by chubyball

Thanks for you all giving hand, I did not quiet understand what do you mean by reverse thread, does that mean counter clockwise is lock and clockwise is open? Anyone has pics? So to replace the belt, the fan must be removed?

Left hand threads means hold your left hand in a fist, and point your thumb out (like you're hitch hiking ), and you point your thumb in the direction you want the fan to go (in this case, standing in front of the car, you would be pointing your left thumb at yourself), then you will turn the fan in the direction your fingers are pointing. Get it? Left hand. Right hand threads are the same way except you use your right hand.

[chubyball]

Any one know what tools will I need to use and where the tension locate on the drive belt and a/c belt? I also wonder why do we need to take the fan off? Is it because you need more rooms? I was thinking if I can wrap the new belt through the fan then I can be able to cut the old one off and put the new one on without taking the fan off.

[The Cleaner]

You Might be able to do that, but keep in mind that fan is plastic and over time gets brittle, break a blade and you are off the road.

[chubyball]

Any tips where to lose the tensioner?

[chubyball]

Any diy for belt replacement?

[asawadude]

Here's a DIY for an E38/M62 engine which should apply to an X5 with minor variations. I used parts of the DIY for my 540i, but I replaced my belts at the same time I removed a cracked radiator, so I had alot more working space when I replaced the belts.

http://www.bimmerboard.com/forums/posts/119957

The homemade tool described by the Cleaner is also described and photographed in this article.

[chubyball]

Thanks Asawadude! At least there are something to look at. I have been looking for the top tensioner but now I found it. Thanks man.

[chubyball]

For those that never done your belt replacement, here is a hints. I just did my belt today. Removing the fan is a must the reason is that you need some rooms to unscrew your tensioner from the top part.

What I did was I unscrew the the screw at the spiner where it attach to the fan pivot, this was you can get the screw stick out a little. Then you can made a special too and hook on the screw that stick out. Once the spiner don't move you can turn the fan's nut.

Next job, I am going to do is flush my radiator and replace them with new fluid.

[chubyball]

http://www.bimmerboard.com/forums/posts/121268
some pics here how to remove the fan

[jpnut]

Part numbers bavauto has several which do I choose?