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View Full Version : VANOS sprocket issue

arob
07-23-2013, 09:26 AM
1995 325is M50

http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y189/rtalastas/8308B1B9-C011-4347-9D82-F35794744594-36008-000034F44D495B1B_zps7a6f00ca.jpg

Trying to put the engine back together last night.
Cams timed to TDC.
Checked to make sure the crank turned freely - check.
In an attempt to reinstall the VANOS, the intake cam slipped a bit and threw the timing off. Remove cams, reset to TDC, re-time.

In re-installing the VANOS sprocket, 2 of the 3 nuts now just "spin" on the studs. No way to get them off/out, or even torqued.

Plan is to remove the studs entirely and replace with new hardware. Any thoughts on how to get these out?

Input much apprecitated.
Lupin..the..3rd
07-23-2013, 09:57 AM
If those are the soft aluminum lock nuts that BMW loves to use, they are one-time use. Reusing them runs the risk of stripping the threads out of the nut, and then the nut just spins. The stud may be perfectly fine. If you can get the edge of a chisel under the shoulder of the nut, that may push the nut up enough to get the threads to catch.
arob
07-23-2013, 10:22 AM
If those are the soft aluminum lock nuts that BMW loves to use, they are one-time use. Reusing them runs the risk of stripping the threads out of the nut, and then the nut just spins. The stud may be perfectly fine. If you can get the edge of a chisel under the shoulder of the nut, that may push the nut up enough to get the threads to catch.

Thanks George - this was late in the evening last night. Called it quits shortly after. I'll revisit again tomorrow. Thanks for the input.
Fairfax 944
07-23-2013, 10:26 AM
If those are the soft aluminum lock nuts that BMW loves to use, they are one-time use. Reusing them runs the risk of stripping the threads out of the nut, and then the nut just spins. The stud may be perfectly fine. If you can get the edge of a chisel under the shoulder of the nut, that may push the nut up enough to get the threads to catch.

If they're aluminum, will a MIG be able to weld the aluminum nut to the stud?
Fairfax 944
07-23-2013, 10:40 AM
If they're aluminum, will a MIG be able to weld the aluminum nut to the stud?

Nevermind, those nuts are not aluminum. Magnetic retrieval tool works just fine on them.
Dr K
07-23-2013, 12:43 PM
How about cutting them most of the way with a Dremel, then splitting the nut with a chisel?
Trak Ratt
07-23-2013, 01:06 PM
Plan is to remove the studs entirely and replace with new hardware. Any thoughts on how to get these out?

Input much apprecitated.Is there enough room to get an extractor on the ends? Lot less needed than splitting them.
arob
07-23-2013, 01:41 PM
How about cutting them most of the way with a Dremel, then splitting the nut with a chisel?

Is there enough room to get an extractor on the ends? Lot less needed than splitting them.

These are both great ideas, thank you.

I'll take another look tomorrow and reassess.
arob
07-24-2013, 01:07 PM
...and done. Fairfax Jim was able to tack the nuts to the studs, then back them out that way. Thanks much again, Jim.
http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y189/rtalastas/288DA912-D017-450F-9565-9BFEC2961AE8-36515-000035481367032E_zpsfdc28b74.jpg
http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y189/rtalastas/FEE62288-A833-4187-AF2F-F4C92F083C1A-36515-00003548040385F6_zpsa10c43c0.jpg
http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y189/rtalastas/B8ECD0D1-40F4-46CB-B45E-6D95CC1CF38B-36515-00003547EF7C3A1E_zps6694e65d.jpg