Basic Tool Requirements - BMW 5251 Service Manual

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General
Specialty tool suppliers
Peake Research, Automotive Products Division
P.O. Box 28776
San Jose, CA 95159
408-369-0406
support@peakeresearch.com
http://www.peakeresearch.com
Basic tool requirements
The basic hand tools described below can be used to accom-
plish most of the simple maintenance and repair tasks.
Screwdrivers
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The common flat-blade type, Phillips type, and TorxO type
screwdrivers will handle almost all screws used on BMWs.
Two or three different sizes of each type will be required,
since a screwdriver of the wrong size will damage the screw
head.
Wrenches
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Wrenches come in different styles, including open-end. 12
point box-end, 6 point box-end and flare nut. The basic open-
end wrench is the most widely used, but grips on only two
sides. The box-end wrench has better grip on all six sides of
a nut or bolt.
A 12 point box-end can loosen a nut or bolt where there is less
room for movement, while a 6 point box-end provides better
grip. For hex fasteners on fluid lines, like brake lines and fuel
lines, a flare-nut wrench offers the advantages of a box-end
wrench with a slot that allows it to fit over the line.
The combination wrench is the most universal. It has one
open-end and one box-end. 10 mm and 13 mm wrenches are
the most common sizes needed. A more complete set of
wrenches would include 6 mm through 19 mm sizes.