tools to have in garage
 

I’ve look but could not find a list of tools that an X5 owner should have. Other than the obvious sockets and wrenches.
Example would be for my wife’s Mini I have a 36mm shallow socket to remove the oil filter top.
Or
A rotating caliper compressor for her mini.

Is there a list like this?

any imput would be great.
Thanks.

A set of Hex bits are always handy

Torque wrench!

:iagree:

36mm socket, if you don't have one. Will need for oil changes.

Any time sears has a sale add to your collection of 1/4" 3/8" and 1/2" sockets.Deep and shallow sockets 6 pt and 12 pt. I also have a set of over size wrenches like in the 20,22mm and over
1" and over-got those on overstock.com for really cheap otherwise those wrenchs are big bucks. of course all the screw drivers phillips and flat head
and dont forget the torx screw drivers and sockets. The seats on my Porsche were stared or inverse torx heads I think they are called E sockets A dremmel tool is a million in one tool and of course you need two torque wrenches I have a really good snap-on one for motor parts 25-75 foot pounds and a big one (less expensive bar type craftsman) for you lug nuts. Hex T handles are good as well as Hex 3/8" drive drivers (theyre really not sockets)
an air compressor is good then you can get an impact wrench.
I didnt get all these at once I just took my wife to sears or home depot to get her what she needed and sneak in stuff in the basket over the years.
to start a good set of metric sockets and wrenches. Or was it winches?
anyway I got all this for my Porsche as the X5 has a 100K maintenence free warranty or what ever you call it. Oh I bought a power brake bleeder too that makes bleeding the brakes really easy. Oh might as well get yourself a good jack and jack stands when all that stuff goes on sale.
Add the really big stuff as you need it as djbock says a 36 mm socket but that would be a bit pricey that would be one to buy by itself.

I just use a set of channel locks and a rag to get my oil filter cap off. Inexpensive.

Thanks for all your input.

well I have all that already, I just want to make sure there were no strange tools. I have rebuild many engine old as well as new. post 2003.
what is the mfg warrenty on X5's? seeing that I bought mine used with 55,000 miles on it.

what year?

02

This one is kind of a long shot as to whether you'd need it but to remove the rear bumper you need a T-50 Torx bit. It's huge!

thanks, that is the stuff I am talking about. all the "wtf" tools. that and the 36mm shallow socket.

14mm hex socket for Diff fluid changes
13mm and 16mm flex head gear wrenches
32mm thin socket for fan clutch/tie rods
4lb sledgehammer for brake rotor removal and/or general use :thumbup:
last but not least.... and air compressor with 1/2" impact and sockets!!

Ancient thread revival but new guy here w questions. Excellent thread btw.




I have been thinking about getting a set of torx drivers for awhile now. Would like to buy a set that covers most/all of the X5 needs. I'd probably get a socket set first, depending on sales.


ECS has this one.

Sizes are the following:

• T10
• T15
• T20
• T25
• T27
• T30
• T40
• T45
• T50

So the question is: do these sizes cover the E53 X5? Any important sizes missing?

Some more:

Home Page > ES#1596825 Radiator / Intercooler Fin Tool - 37892

Home Page > ES#8211 Caliper Piston Compressor Tool - SCWBK-510

Home Page > ES#6225 Protecta Socket Set - PPS-1721

Yep that's what I have in my set. I just used them yesterday on the X5. I bought mine at Pep Boys 2 years ago, cheap. They are still working fine. If you break one no sweat (the alloy is kind of brittle) just get another one, but so far no breakage. hope that helps.

Don't think you need that tool IMO. Plenty of DIY'ers use a 6" C-clamp instead with perfect results. Plus, you can pick it up at any hardware store and also use that C-clamp for other uses.

That's what I used last time. But if someone wants to go by book.. ;)

Three torque wrenches! 1/4 drive in/lb, 3/8 drive ft/lb, 1/2 drive ft/lb.

Fan clutch counter hold tool and 32mm or 1 1/4 " open wrench.

Most items above for sure and add to the list these odd tools:

E12 external torx for Tension Strut Ball Joints.
36mm socket for oil filter
Vise Grip plier and a long screwdriver to remove clutch fan
Turkey baster to remove old brake fluid
18mm socket for Control Arms

Floor Jack
 

For years I have been working with multiple 6 ton bottle jacks and wood blocks and jack stands. I just got an SUV floor jack that gets the truck up in 6 or 7 pumps and it raises the whole vehicle up to 15 inches. For higher vehicles I slip it into a 6 inch jig I made out of an 6x8 wood block. The jack's wheels fit inside 2 v groves I made with my circular saw on the 8 inch side that match the wheels. the jack can't roll forward, backward or sideways, gravity holds it in place. Drops down to 5 inches for my sons jetta. Its so much handier. so I can go up to 21 inches. If I want more I just slip another 6X8, 4x8, or 2x8 under the jig.

I caught it on sale at sears 2 weeks ago normally $90, got it for $50. with 2 jack stands included.

Sears: Online department store featuring appliances, tools, fitness equipment and more

I bought a Craftsman jack few years ago and it now looses height slowly and needs oil refilled. But its a pain to fill oil in it.

Have you purged the air? every couple of months. the proceedure is on the side of the jack.

Here is the owner manual http://c.sears.com/assets/own/00950138e.pdf drain and fill fluid every 3 years purge air when you feel a loss of lifting power or every 3 months instruction in manual.

Maybe I'm not understanding your spacer block placement, but it sounds like it is under the jack if you are using locator grooves to stop the jack wheels from rolling.

If so, that sounds very dangerous. A trolley jack has to be free to roll, as the lifting contact point doesn't go straight up, it moves through an arc. If the jack can't roll, you can topple the load off. Anytime you use a trolley jack you need to watch the wheels to make sure they are rolling freely, as an obstruction on the floor (gravel, etc) can cause the same problem.

If the spacer block is positioned on top of the jack saddle, then there is a similar risk of toppling, but due only to instability, not to the lift arm motion. Be safe.

Thanks, I will try. Mine does not look anything like the one in manual. No procedure on the side either. There is a flat head screw where yours has oil fill. If I open that oil starts flowing out, as if its a drain plug.

I was thinking the same thing...this is dangerous
 

Listen to this guy, don't get hurt.

Also, I wanted to share which jack I found works great- low point is only
3 1/2" and raises up to 21"! Found it at Pep Boys for $199 but couldn't link to it, couldn't find it on their awful site.