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Tech Tips
tech@stlbmwcca.org
One of the best investments that you can make into car maintenance is a good set of tools. I said the word investment because that is exactly what it is; an initial outlay of money that will in the long run save money. A good start on your tool collection is with a good jack (2 ton or better), jack stands (3 ton or better) and wheel chocks. You can find all of these for sale as a package deal if you look. The next thing to get would be a good socket/ wrench set and a torque wrench that can go to at least 100 ft/lbs. I always try to buy high quality tools. I like sears because they have a no questions lifetime guarantee, and if you wait, they have really great sales. There are other high end tool manufacturers with lifetime guarantees, so the choice is yours. The worst thing to have happen is a tool to break on a Sunday afternoon that prevents you from finishing the job. It all related back to saving money, which is really nothing more than saving time. Now that you are saving time and money, you can buy that upgrade you always wanted. Happy motoring,
St. Louis BMW Club Technical Advisor
One of the biggest limiting factors in successfully diagnosing and repairing problems, or performing upgrades, is your mental state of mind going into the procedure. I feel that 60% of completing a given task is mental confidence in knowing you can accomplish what lies ahead; the remaining 40% is skill and experience. Most of the basic maintenance work is nuts and bolts stuff; everything will go back into place. The important thing to remember is that you CAN put it back together and the car will not fall apart if everything is tightened correctly. Just remember to plan well, check the repair guide for torques, and to think about what you are doing before you do it. Good luck,
St. Louis BMW Club Technical Advisor
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