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My little project Z4 2.0 Sport..

2003 - 2009, roadster, coupe, facelift
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bladeowner
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My little project Z4 2.0 Sport..

Post by bladeowner » Sun Oct 22, 2017 11:16 pm

Ducklakeview wrote: Sun Oct 22, 2017 5:38 pm
bladeowner wrote: Wed Oct 18, 2017 11:38 pm
john-e89 wrote: Wed Oct 18, 2017 8:43 pm

Scratch a marker between the ring and the motor housing Mike, then you’ll know where the ring sits from the factory. It’ll only turn approx 10mm clockwise IIRC, but approx 3/4 way round anti clockwise. Turn it clockwise, you only need approx 3mm, any more it’ll be too loose, but it’s a bit trial and error, I’ve heard people turning them 10-15mm but that’s extreme I think, try 3mm and go for a run. I think it’s the crown and pinion gears tightening as they get warm from the foot heater, mine was very bad, but only after about an hour with the blower on. Let us know how you get on Ok.
I already had tried the drill and grease method but moving the ring is the cure in my book. As John says it's trial and error. I tried 5mm at first on mine but it wasn't enough and so I went a bit more around 8-9mm. You can see which way to move it from the scratches on mine below:

20160605_1302491_zpsg1hi8gf0.jpg
Just for reference, an 8mm flex head ratchet spanner is the PERFECT tool for this job, easily gets to both bolts. Done in 5 mins..

20171022_173436.jpg

Mike
Was yours not a torx head then?
2004 Sapphire Black 2.5 SE Z4 SMG

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Ducklakeview
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My little project Z4 2.0 Sport..

Post by Ducklakeview » Sun Oct 22, 2017 11:41 pm

bladeowner wrote: Sun Oct 22, 2017 11:16 pm
Ducklakeview wrote: Sun Oct 22, 2017 5:38 pm
bladeowner wrote: Wed Oct 18, 2017 11:38 pm

I already had tried the drill and grease method but moving the ring is the cure in my book. As John says it's trial and error. I tried 5mm at first on mine but it wasn't enough and so I went a bit more around 8-9mm. You can see which way to move it from the scratches on mine below:

20160605_1302491_zpsg1hi8gf0.jpg
Just for reference, an 8mm flex head ratchet spanner is the PERFECT tool for this job, easily gets to both bolts. Done in 5 mins..

20171022_173436.jpg

Mike
Was yours not a torx head then?
Yes, they are E10 male torx, which are obviously six sided and just happen to be 7.86mm across, so the spanner fits perfectly!

Mike

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bladeowner
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My little project Z4 2.0 Sport..

Post by bladeowner » Sun Oct 22, 2017 11:48 pm

Great tip! Hopefully I won't have to adjust mine again. :)
2004 Sapphire Black 2.5 SE Z4 SMG

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Crazy Harry
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My little project Z4 2.0 Sport..

Post by Crazy Harry » Mon Oct 23, 2017 7:56 am

I've got a set of torx sockets but for that sort of job a cheap set of torx ring spanners from fleabay

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Siegen-by-Sea ... Swu4BV1fAi

doesn't add much to the job and might get you out of trouble once in a while. But.... if I can have a quick rant why use so many different 'spanner systems' on a car. Just done the DMF on a ford and need four different sets of socket/spanner drives. Gerrr....

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My little project Z4 2.0 Sport..

Post by Ducklakeview » Mon Oct 23, 2017 8:31 am

Crazy Harry wrote: Mon Oct 23, 2017 7:56 am I've got a set of torx sockets but for that sort of job a cheap set of torx ring spanners from fleabay

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Siegen-by-Sea ... Swu4BV1fAi
No good for this job, not enough swing room to use them, only a flex head ratchet spanner would fit. I have a similar set of E-torx spanners which are slimmer than those in your link and they wouldn't work as not ratchet headed.

Mike

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My little project Z4 2.0 Sport..

Post by tomscott » Mon Oct 23, 2017 8:47 am

The man knows his stuff. Love these threads!

Awesome stuff :thumbsup:

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My little project Z4 2.0 Sport..

Post by Ducklakeview » Mon Oct 23, 2017 10:12 am

Hi hi, hi ho, it's off for a refurb we go....
20171023_101117.jpg
20171023_101117.jpg (280.96 KiB) Viewed 1753 times
Mike

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bladeowner
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My little project Z4 2.0 Sport..

Post by bladeowner » Mon Oct 23, 2017 10:52 am

Ducklakeview wrote: Mon Oct 23, 2017 8:31 am
Crazy Harry wrote: Mon Oct 23, 2017 7:56 am I've got a set of torx sockets but for that sort of job a cheap set of torx ring spanners from fleabay

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Siegen-by-Sea ... Swu4BV1fAi
No good for this job, not enough swing room to use them, only a flex head ratchet spanner would fit. I have a similar set of E-torx spanners which are slimmer than those in your link and they wouldn't work as not ratchet headed.

Mike
I bought these and managed to get them undone but I could just have been lucky that there was enough angle to undo. https://www.ebay.co.uk/p/4-PC-Professio ... 4097.l9055
2004 Sapphire Black 2.5 SE Z4 SMG

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My little project Z4 2.0 Sport..

Post by Crazy Harry » Mon Oct 23, 2017 11:02 am

Ducklakeview wrote: Mon Oct 23, 2017 8:31 am
Crazy Harry wrote: Mon Oct 23, 2017 7:56 am I've got a set of torx sockets but for that sort of job a cheap set of torx ring spanners from fleabay

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Siegen-by-Sea ... Swu4BV1fAi
No good for this job, not enough swing room to use them, only a flex head ratchet spanner would fit. I have a similar set of E-torx spanners which are slimmer than those in your link and they wouldn't work as not ratchet headed.

Mike
When I had a restock of tools (thanks to some passing Pikies and Aviva) I got metric combination spanners each in three length sizes. Gets me into most spaces or applies enough torque. Can't get on with the idea of 'obstruction spanners' though - have found a socket on the end of a square drive flexible shaft screw driver can be a life saver even if you have to gaffer tape all the socket; drive converters and shaft together!

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My little project Z4 2.0 Sport..

Post by jamie_z4 » Mon Oct 23, 2017 11:07 am

great write up as ever Mike!
18 Z4s owned to date.

Current: 2.5i Titan silver

Daily driver: 480bhp M140i Shadow edition.

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My little project Z4 2.0 Sport..

Post by adam1985 » Mon Oct 23, 2017 11:11 am

Ducklakeview wrote: Sun Oct 22, 2017 5:38 pm
bladeowner wrote: Wed Oct 18, 2017 11:38 pm
john-e89 wrote: Wed Oct 18, 2017 8:43 pm

Scratch a marker between the ring and the motor housing Mike, then you’ll know where the ring sits from the factory. It’ll only turn approx 10mm clockwise IIRC, but approx 3/4 way round anti clockwise. Turn it clockwise, you only need approx 3mm, any more it’ll be too loose, but it’s a bit trial and error, I’ve heard people turning them 10-15mm but that’s extreme I think, try 3mm and go for a run. I think it’s the crown and pinion gears tightening as they get warm from the foot heater, mine was very bad, but only after about an hour with the blower on. Let us know how you get on Ok.
I already had tried the drill and grease method but moving the ring is the cure in my book. As John says it's trial and error. I tried 5mm at first on mine but it wasn't enough and so I went a bit more around 8-9mm. You can see which way to move it from the scratches on mine below:

20160605_1302491_zpsg1hi8gf0.jpg
Just for reference, an 8mm flex head ratchet spanner is the PERFECT tool for this job, easily gets to both bolts. Done in 5 mins..

20171022_173436.jpg

Mike
But the question is did it fix the problem?
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My little project Z4 2.0 Sport..

Post by Ducklakeview » Mon Oct 23, 2017 3:35 pm

adam1985 wrote: Mon Oct 23, 2017 11:11 am
Ducklakeview wrote: Sun Oct 22, 2017 5:38 pm
bladeowner wrote: Wed Oct 18, 2017 11:38 pm

I already had tried the drill and grease method but moving the ring is the cure in my book. As John says it's trial and error. I tried 5mm at first on mine but it wasn't enough and so I went a bit more around 8-9mm. You can see which way to move it from the scratches on mine below:

20160605_1302491_zpsg1hi8gf0.jpg
Just for reference, an 8mm flex head ratchet spanner is the PERFECT tool for this job, easily gets to both bolts. Done in 5 mins..

20171022_173436.jpg

Mike
But the question is did it fix the problem?
YES!

Mike

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My little project Z4 2.0 Sport..

Post by mr wilks » Mon Oct 23, 2017 3:42 pm

Not refurbing with tyres on are you Mike :?
Image
3 ZMRs
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My little project Z4 2.0 Sport..

Post by jamie_z4 » Mon Oct 23, 2017 4:01 pm

mr wilks wrote: Mon Oct 23, 2017 3:42 pm Not refurbing with tyres on are you Mike :?
Image
Nah - theyre in at Tillings with Sam 8)
18 Z4s owned to date.

Current: 2.5i Titan silver

Daily driver: 480bhp M140i Shadow edition.

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Post by mr wilks » Mon Oct 23, 2017 4:05 pm

Getting old Bridgestone runflats off can be a proper bitch , , be better with centres bolted in
3 ZMRs
3 E89s
5 Si coupes
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997 C4
TTRS
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MK7 Golf Gti
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