Maintaining your BMW E46 involves understanding various technical specifications, and among the most critical is wheel torque. Proper wheel torque is essential for ensuring the safety and performance of your vehicle. This guide provides a comprehensive overview of wheel torque for your BMW E46, along with other important torque specifications for various components.
Why is wheel torque so important? Incorrect wheel torque can lead to serious issues. Over-tightening can stress and potentially damage wheel studs or bolts, while under-tightening can cause wheels to loosen while driving, leading to dangerous wheel-off situations. Therefore, adhering to the correct wheel torque specifications is not just about vehicle maintenance; it’s about safety.
For the BMW E46, the recommended wheel lug nut torque is 118Nm (87 ft-lbs). This specification is crucial for ensuring your wheels are securely fastened. However, wheel torque is just one piece of the puzzle when it comes to maintaining your E46. There are numerous other components that require specific torque settings to ensure proper function and longevity.
Below is an expanded torque guide for various parts of your BMW E46, going beyond just wheel torque to provide a more complete resource for DIY mechanics and E46 enthusiasts.
Comprehensive BMW E46 Torque Specifications
This section provides a detailed list of torque specifications for various parts of the BMW E46, categorized for easy navigation. Remember to always use a calibrated torque wrench to achieve accurate tightening and consult your BMW repair manual for any specific procedures or updates.
Body Components
- 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 Fittings
- Steering wheel bolt: 62Nm (46 ft-lbs)
- Seats: 45Nm + 90° (This indicates a torque-angle tightening procedure, meaning you tighten to 45Nm first, then turn an additional 90 degrees)
- Airbags:
- Side-impact airbag to door: 8.5Nm (75 in-lbs)
- Passenger airbag to dashboard: 22Nm (16 ft-lbs)
Engine Components
- 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 System
- 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 and Starter
- 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
- 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 and VANOS
- 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 and Oil System
- 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
- 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 and Intake
- 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)
Brake System
- 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)
- Pressure bleeder: 10-15lbs
- 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 System
- 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 – 17mm crows foot: 40Nm (30 ft-lbs)
- Return hose to rack – M16 Banjo: 40Nm (30 ft-lbs)
Undercarriage and Exhaust
- 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 Specific and Suspension
- Convertible V-Strut:
- V-strut large bolts (if 10mm): 59Nm+90°
- V-strut small bolts (M8X16-Z1): 22Nm (16 ft-lbs)
- 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
- 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:
- 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:
- 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)
Miscellaneous
- Convertible roof hinge bolts: M8-ZNS-3 24Nm 17.7 ft-lbs
Note: Always double-check these torque specifications with a reliable source like a BMW repair manual or TIS (Technical Information System) for your specific model year and engine, as specifications can sometimes vary. Using the correct torque is crucial for safety, preventing damage to parts, and ensuring the longevity of your BMW E46. Remember that for critical components like wheels, brakes, and suspension, proper torque is not optional – it’s essential for safe driving.
