[Archbid]

I know the world likely doesn't need another torque guide but I have been keeping a doc on my iPhone that I use when I am restoring E46s. I have leaned heavily on the two big efforts in the past:



The Ultimate e46 M54 Torque Specs Thread

Ultimate BMW E46 M3 Torque Spec Guide



This is also useful:



Know your nuts?



I added a bunch of more esoteric specs and organized it in a way I could understand more. I hope it is useful for you.



Body



Wheels

Lugnut 118Nm (87 ft-lbs)



Bumper

Bumper shock to bumper carrier (Torx) 41Nm (30 ft-lbs)

Bumper shock to body 22Nm (16 ft-lbs)



Doors

Hinge 20Nm (15 ft-lbs)

Door check 24Nm (16 ft-lbs)

Window regulator rail to door 9Nm (80 in-lbs)

Window motor 5Nm (44 in-lbs)



Other

Sunroof headliner to rails - 4.5Nm (40 in-lbs)

Wiper arms - 25Nm (18.5 ft-lbs)



Interior



Steering wheel bolt 62Nm (46 ft-lbs)

Seats - 45Nm + 90°



Airbags

Side-impact airbag to door - 8.5Nm (75 in-lbs)

Passenger airbag to dashboard - 22Nm (16 ft-lbs)



Engine



Chain tensioner - 70Nm (51 ft-lbs)

Crankshaft "Jesus" bolt - 410 Nm (300 ft-lbs)



Pulleys and Belts

Drive belt tensioner

• Tensioner body - 24 Nm (18 ft-lbs)
• Pulley (11281748131) - 45 Nm (33 ft-lbs)

Drive line idler pulley (11287512758) - 45 Nm (33 ft-lbs)

Alternator hydraulic tensioner

• Tensioner body - 24 Nm (18 ft-lbs)
• Pulley (11287841228) 45 Nm ( 33 ft-lbs)

Cooling

Coolant plug - 25 Nm (18 ft-lbs)



Water Pump

Body - 10 Nm (88 in-lbs)

Pulley - 10 Nm (88 in-lbs)



Thermostat

3 Identical Bolts - 10 Nm (88 in-lbs)

Housing bolt right M8X30 - 24 Nm (17.7 ft-lbs)



Alternator

Alternator to crankcase M8 - 21Nm

Idler pulley to alternator - 45 Nm

Positive terminal - M8 - 13 Nm



Starter

Starter flange to transmission - 43Nm (32 ft-lbs)

Solenoid lead to starter - M5 - 5Nm (44 in-lbs)

Electrical leads - M5 (5 Nm), M6 (7 Nm), M8 (13 Nm)



AC Compressor

Compressor mounting bolts - 20 Nm (15 ft-lbs, 177 in-lbs)

A/C line to A/C compressor - 20 Nm (15 ft-lbs, 177 in-lbs)

Refrigerant line to body - 5.5 Nm (48 in-lbs)

Double pipe to expansion valve - 8 Nm (71 in-lbs)



Valve Cover

Spark plugs - 30 Nm (22 ft-lbs)

Valve Cover (Bolts & Stand-Offs) 11 Nm (98 in-lbs) - per TIS



VANOS

VANOS housing piston covers 10Nm (84 in-lbs)

VANOS Oil Hose from Oil Filter Housing (Hose with Hollow Bolt) - 32Nm (23.5 ft-lbs)

Reverse Thread VANOS Bolts Connecting VANOS to Cam Shafts - 8 Nm (71 in-lbs)

VANOS Piston Plug Caps - 50 Nm (37 ft-lbs)

VANOS solenoid to VANOS control unit - 30Nm (22 ft-lbs)

VANOS mounting nuts (6) - 8 Nm (72 in-lbs)

Engine hanger nut and bolts- 10 Nm (84 in-lb)

Camshaft position sensor - 5 Nm (44 in-lbs)



Timing Chain Cover

5Nm, then drive pins, then 10Nm (84 in-lbs)



Oil sump/oil pan

Oil drain plug - 25Nm (18.5 ft-lbs)

Oil pan

• 8,8 - 10Nm (88 in-lbs)
• 10,9 - 12Nm (106 in-lbs)
• Tranmission housing transverse bolts

Oil pump sprocket nut (reverse thread) - 25Nm (18.5 ft-lbs)

Oil level sensor - 8Nm (72 in-lbs)



Oil filter housing

6 OFHG bolts - 22Nm (16 ft-lbs)

VANOS oil line - 32Nm (24 ft-lbs)

Dipstick support - 22Nm (16.2 ft-lbs)

Oil filter cap - 34Nm (25 ft-lbs)



Sensors

Coolant temperature sensor 13 Nm (115 in-lbs)

Camshaft position sensors (2) - 3.5 Nm (36 in-lbs)

Oil pressure switch - 27Nm (20 ft-lbs)

Oil temperature sensor - 27Nm (20 ft-lbs)

Pre-cat O2 sensor - 50 Nm (37 ft-lbs)

Crankshaft sensor - 10 Nm (7 ft-lbs)



Exhaust

SAP vacuum pump on cylinder head - 10Nm (88 in-lbs)

Exhaust manifold to cylinder head - 20Nm (15 ft-lbs)

Exhaust flange to exhaust manifold (M10) - 30Nm (22 ft-lb)



Intake

DISA, IAC - 10Nm (88 in-lbs)

Throttle body - 8Nm (70 in-lbs)

Harness electrical box - 10Nm (88 in-lbs)

Intake Manifold (M7 nuts) - 15Nm (132 in-lbs)

• Lower mounting nut -

Fuel rail - 10Nm (88 in-lbs)



Brakes



Brake hydraulics

Master cylinder to booster - 26Nm (19 ft-lbs)

Booster to pedal assembly - 25Nm (18.4 ft-lbs)



Calipers

Brake rotor retaining screw - 16Nm (12 ft-lbs)

Front bracket - 110Nm (81 ft-lbs)

Rear bracket - 65Nm (48 ft-lbs)

Guide pins - 30Nm (22 ft-lbs)

10-15lbs for pressure bleeder



E-Brake and Shield

Small rear brake shield screws - 10Nm (88 in-lbs)

Large rear brake shield screws - 18Nm (160 in-lbs)

E-brake cable clamp (on trailing arm) - 10Nm (88 in-lbs)



Steering



Power steering fluid reservoir

• Clamp screw - 5.5nm (49 in-lbs)
• Mounting bolt - 22Nm (16 ft-lbs)

Steering pump

• Steering pump mounting bolts - 22Nm (16 ft-lb)
• Steering pump pulley bolts - 22Nm (16 ft-lb)

Steering rack to front subframe - 43Nm (32 ft-lbs)

Steering column flex disc/giubo clamping screw - 22Nm (16 ft-lbs)

Tie rod end to tie rod - 45Nm (33 ft-lbs)

Tie rod joint to rack 100 +10Nm (74 +7 ft-lbs)

Tie rod end to knuckle - 65Nm (48 ft-lbs)

Pressure hose bracket to rack 5mm bolt - 22Nm (16 ft-lbs)

Pressure hose to rack - 19mm/M14 - 33Nm (25 ft-lbs)

Pressure hose to pump - 40Nm (30 ft-lbs) - 17mm crows foot

Return hose to rack - M16 Banjo 40Nm (30 ft-lbs)



Undercarriage

Most nuts on undercarriage are single-use self-locking nuts (hole looks a little oval)



Front Subframe

Engine mount bracket to engine - 22Nm (16.2 ft-lbs)

Engine mount

• M8 22Nm (16 ft-lbs)
• M10 47Nm

Front sub-frame to frame rail bolts (10.9 grade) - 110Nm (81 ft-lbs)

Front end reinforcement to front subframe or body frame rails - 59Nm (43.5 ft-lbs) (90+30°)

Motor mount - 45Nm (33 ft-lbs)



Exhaust

Heatshield 10Nm (88 in-lbs)

Muffler hanger nuts (13mm) - 22Nm (16 ft-lbs)

Muffler chassis plate - 22Nm (16 ft-lbs)

Exhaust pipe to manifold - 30Nm (22 ft-lbs)



Convertible V-Strut

V-strut large bolts (if 10mm) 59Nm+90°

V-strut small bolts (M8X16-Z1) 22Nm (16 ft-lbs)



Suspension

Most nuts on suspension are single-use self-locking nuts (hole looks a little oval)



Front Suspension

Control arm bracket (bushing bracket) to frame rails - 60 Nm (44 ft-lbs)

FCA Inner ball joint to subframe - 89.5 Nm (66 ft-lbs)

FCA Outer ball joint to steering arm - 65 Nm (48 ft-lbs)

Stabilizer bar bushing to frame rail nut - 22Nm (16 ft-lbs)

Steering arm pinch bolt at strut housing - 81Nm (60 ft-lbs)

Front end link - 65 Nm (48 ft-lbs)

Front strut assembly to strut tower (self-locking nuts) - 24Nm (18 ft-lbs)

Front upper strut mount to strut shaft M14 - 64Nm (47 ft-lbs)

ABS/wheel speed sensor - 8Nm (71 in-lbs)



Rear Suspension

Rear shock to trailing arm - 100Nm (74 ft-lbs)

Rear shock to top mount - 13.5Nm (120 in-lbs)

Rear shock top mount to body - 28Nm (21 ft-lbs)

Rear end link mounts - 17mm bolt head - 34Nm (25 ft-lbs)

Rear end link transverse bolt - 24Nm (17.7 ft-lbs)

Rear sway bar mounts - 13mm nut and bolt - 22Nm (16 ft-lbs)



Rear Subframe/Carrier

Carrier support - 13mm bolts - 21Nm (15 ft-lbs, 186 in-lbs)

Carrier heat shield 10Nm (88 in-lbs)

Front/Rear fasteners to frame - 77Nm (57 ft-lbs)



Control Arms

Upper control arm inner - 77Nm (57 ft-lbs)

Lower control arm inner - 110Nm (81 ft-lbs)

Upper control arm outer - 110Nm (81 ft-lbs)

Lower control arm outer - 110Nm (81 ft-lbs)



Trailing Arm

RTAB bushing transverse bolt - 110Nm (81 ft-lbs)

RTAB mount bolts to frame - 77Nm (57 ft-lbs)

ABS/wheel speed sensor - 8Nm (71 in-lbs)

E-brake clamp - 10Nm (7.4 ft-lbs)



Transmission and Drivetrain



Giubo/flex disc nuts are single-use. Recommend replacement of torx bolts.



Transmission to Engine

M8 Torx - 22 Nm (16 ft-lbs)

M10 Torx - 43 Nm (32 ft-lbs)

M12 Torx - 72 Nm (53 ft-lbs)



Manual

Clutch master to pedals - 20 Nm (15 ft-lbs, 177 in-lbs)

Clutch slave to transmission - 20 Nm (15 ft-lbs, 177 in-lbs)

Fluid line to master cylinder or slave cylinder 20 + 5 Nm (15 + 4 ft-lbs)

Transmission fill plug 50Nm (37 ft-lbs)

If allen head - 35Nm (26 ft-lbs)

Transmission mounts -21 Nm (15 ft-lbs, 186 in-lbs)

Transmission cross member to Chassis - 21Nm (186 in-lbs)

Manual gearbox flywheel to crankshaft (replace bolts) - 105Nm (77 ft-lbs)



ZF Auto transmission

Drain plug - 35Nm (26 ft-lbs)

Fill plug - 30Nm (23 ft-lbs)

Pan/sump to transmission - 6Nm (48 in-lbs)

Filter - 9 Nm (78 in-lbs)

Automatic flex disc/flywheel to crankshaft - 121Nm (88 ft-lbs)

Torque convertor to flex plate - M10 8.8 45Nm (33 ft-lbs)





Differential

When reinstalling, insert all 3 bolts finger tight. Tighten the 2 front bolts first, then tighten down the rear bolt

Differential fill plug - 70Nm (52 ft-lbs)

Differential front mount bolts (18mm) - 95Nm (70 ft-lbs)

Differential rear mount bolts (21mm nut and bolt) - 174Nm (128 ft-lbs)

Differential cover (per TIS)

• M10 8.8 - 45Nm (33 ft-lbs)
• M10 10.9 - 55Nm (41 ft-lbs)

Driveshaft and Axles

Front axle nut - 290Nm (214 ft-lbs)

Rear axle nut - 300Nm (221 ft-lbs)

Drive shaft to flex disc (giubo) - 64Nm or 45 ft-lbs

Transmission output flange (ZNS) to flex disc (giubo) - 55Nm + 90 degrees (or 41 ft-lbs)

Center Support Bearing to body - 21Nm (15 ft-lbs)

Driveshaft to rear differential flange (E12 torx) - 85 Nm (63 ft-lbs)

Rear axle bolts to rear diff (E12 torx) - 83 Nm (61 ft-lbs)



Misc

Convertible roof hinge bolts - M8-ZNS-3 24Nm 17.7 ft-lbs

 

[Overboost]

Very useful thank you Archbid. I have a question on the oil pan bolts. I see there are 2 listings as 8.8 and 10.9. All of my bolts have 8.8 on the head so what are the 10.9 ones? :dunno:

 

[Archbid]

Very useful thank you Archbid. I have a question on the oil pan bolts. I see there are 2 listings as 8.8 and 10.9. All of my bolts have 8.8 on the head so what are the 10.9 ones? :dunno:

Every source I found listed both, so I put it in when I was preparing for the job. I only have 8.8 as well. Every time I do a job I make a list of all the fasteners and their torque settings so I am not doing web searches or looking in the Bentley in the middle of the job.

 

[Overboost]

Thank you so much! I will be using your guide as I have so much apart right now on my X5 just waiting on the oil to stop dripping in the front left corner seam so my sealant will dry properly without oil contamination when I put the oil pan back on. 3 days now and still coming down. :banghead:

 

[Kneedspeed]

wow, helpful!

 

[Archbid]

Thank you so much! I will be using your guide as I have so much apart right now on my X5 just waiting on the oil to stop dripping in the front left corner seam so my sealant will dry properly without oil contamination when I put the oil pan back on. 3 days now and still coming down. :banghead:

Take the tip of a rag and wipe the inside edge of the block up about 1cm. The stuff dripping from the driveshaft and pump won't be an issue, just the seeping down the walls. Wipe the inside edge and buy yourself 10 minutes to get the pan in place.

 

[Overboost]

Take the tip of a rag and wipe the inside edge of the block up about 1cm. The stuff dripping from the driveshaft and pump won't be an issue, just the seeping down the walls. Wipe the inside edge and buy yourself 10 minutes to get the pan in place.

Yeah I am probably just being over cautious and paranoid. The instructions on the Dreibond 1209 sealant is 3 fold torqueing. 3 ft/lbs initially. Half torque at 1 hour and final torque 6-24 hours later. I just don't want any oil in the sealant, God knows I don't want to do this OPG twice.

 

[Archbid]

Yeah I am probably just being over cautious and paranoid. The instructions on the Dreibond 1209 sealant is 3 fold torqueing. 3 ft/lbs initially. Half torque at 1 hour and final torque 6-24 hours later. I just don't want any oil in the sealant, God knows I don't want to do this OPG twice.

I have done three oil pans since January. It is one of my least favorite tasks.

Though oddly the only one that always makes me angry is the damn hinge cover slides and springs on the convertible.

BTW, I highly recommend a digital torque wrench if you are going to do a lot of DIY, if only because you can do Nm as your default. Tekton wrenches are fine, but they are made for ft-lbs/in-lbs and that is just irritating.

 

[325ciLover]

Torque...Does a body good!!

Sent from my ONEPLUS A6000 using Tapatalk

 

[Overboost]

I have done three oil pans since January. It is one of my least favorite tasks.

Though oddly the only one that always makes me angry is the damn hinge cover slides and springs on the convertible.

BTW, I highly recommend a digital torque wrench if you are going to do a lot of DIY, if only because you can do Nm as your default. Tekton wrenches are fine, but they are made for ft-lbs/in-lbs and that is just irritating.

I bought the Craftsman 3/8 Digi-Click for the job. It will display Nm, in/lbs or ft/lbs.

 

[325ciLover]

I bought the Craftsman 3/8 Digi-Click for the job. It will display Nm, in/lbs or ft/lbs.

How much that bad girl run you?

Sent from my ONEPLUS A6000 using Tapatalk

 

[Archbid]

It is about $150, and it is the one I use. Only gripe is that it only works clockwise. Otherwise perfectly useful.

 

[Overboost]

How much that bad girl run you?

Sent from my ONEPLUS A6000 using Tapatalk

I think $150 is retail as Archbid suggested but I got mine new off a fleaBay seller for $89 delivered. :thumbup:

 

[Overboost]

Hey Arch,
Can you link me to the oil pan bolts values you have at 16 Nm (11.8 ft.lbs)? I am getting conflicting searches with values of 10Nm 7.37 ft/lbs) Thanks!

 

[Alex323Ci]

It is about $150, and it is the one I use. Only gripe is that it only works clockwise. Otherwise perfectly useful.

..and the screen readout is a tad small. and that’s on my 1/2” big boy.
ratchet head could be larger too.

 

[Archbid]

Hey Arch,
Can you link me to the oil pan bolts values you have at 16 Nm (11.8 ft.lbs)? I am getting conflicting searches with values of 10Nm 7.37 ft/lbs) Thanks!

https://forum.e46fanatics.com/showthread.php?t=1065428

 

[Overboost]

Coming up with 10 Nm on that thread too. Am I missing something? :dunno:

 

[Rtcoleman]

Arch, I think you have a typo in the oil pans specs. For the 8.8 bolts you have a higher torque than the 10.9 bolts, and the imperial units don't work out.

My Bentley has 10nm/8.8 and 12nm/10.9 for the m6 bolts and 22nm/8.8 for the m8 (xi oil pan).

 

[Overboost]

Still a discussion on the 2 different torque specs for the 8.8 and 10.9. I wonder if the 10.9 bolts are the 3 torx bolts from the trans bell housing to oil pan? If not, does anyone what would those torque specs be for those 3 lateral fasteners. :dunno:

 

[Hani]

Yeah I am probably just being over cautious and paranoid. The instructions on the Dreibond 1209 sealant is 3 fold torqueing. 3 ft/lbs initially. Half torque at 1 hour and final torque 6-24 hours later. I just don't want any oil in the sealant, God knows I don't want to do this OPG twice.

I hear you. I changed mine about 3 years ago or so on the 330 and I am getting ready to do it on the 323, it's a lot of work and time consuming but not difficult.