der Bayerische March/April 2021 - 31

Y O U

N O W

perform different functions, periodic
front/rear tire rotation maximizes the
tread life of any vehicle tire.
Performing it yourself gives you an
opportunity to ensure that the tires
are properly inflated, that they are
wearing evenly, and allows you to
perform a visual inspection of the
front and rear brakes as well as
the front and rear suspension
components.
Unless you own a BMW with
staggered tire sizes (i.e., the front and
rear tires are NOT the same size) this
is something that you can perform
yourself. It's a service I perform for
my BMWs after an oil change.
With most of us now working
from home, it's a do-it-yourself task
that can be easily learned.
Before you begin this service,
take a look at your wheels to see if
you have (the dreaded) locking lug
bolts. When you look at your wheel,
if the tops of all five lug bolts have the
same hexagonal pattern, you don't
have locking lug bolts. If you have
one that looks different, chances are
good that you do. If you have locking
lug bolts, you'll need to find the key.
If you purchased your BMW from a
BMW dealer, chances are very good
that key is located either in the glove
box or in a storage compartment in
the trunk. When you find the key,
look inside to see if there is any
damage. If there is, I suggest that you
take your BMW to either your local
dealer or trusted independent BMW
shop to have the locking lug bolts
removed and replaced with regular
BMW lug bolts.
By now, I hope you all have
noticed the use of the term " lug
bolts " , NOT " lug nuts " . This is a
major difference between BMWs and
other vehicles. Lug bolts hold the
wheel on the wheel hub by passing
through the bolt holes in the wheel
and into bolt holes in the wheel hub.
Lug nuts hold the wheel on the wheel
hub by being tightened onto fingerlike lug studs that project from the
wheel hub.
Should you choose to perform
the tire rotation by yourself, I suggest

March I April

H A V E

T H E

T I M E

T O

S A V E

S O M E

M O N E Y

(Opposite Page) Carefully maneuver your floor jack lift pad to meet the lift pad on your BMW. (Above) A BMW
Lift Pad (also referred to as a jacking puck). (Below) Tools for the task.
you first assemble the following tools
and equipment:
1. Floor jack (three-ton capacity with
at least 18 inches of lift)
2. ½ inch drive breaker bar
3. ½-inch drive ratchet (i.e., a socket
wrench). If you have a 3/8 inch
socket wrench, you'll need a 3/8inch-to-1/2-inch adapter.
4. ½-inch drive torque wrench
(ratchet type)
5. 6-inch long ½-inch drive extension
6. A socket (six or twelve point) that is
the correct size for your lugs. For
BMWs, this is typically a 17mm
socket.
7. Wheel hanger lug guide tool (lug
guide pin) for your BMW. For
BMWs built up through 2006, this
is typically a 12mm pin, since the
BMWs of that era used 12mm lug
bolts. For BMWs built after 2006,
this is typically a 14mm pin.
Check your lug bolts' diameter
before ordering the guide tool.
8. Rubber mallet
9. Wire brush
10. Anti-seize compound
11. Gloves
12. Portable electric air compressor
13. Extension cord
14. Tire pressure gauge
15. Two plastic bowls
Unless otherwise noted, these
are all available at your local car parts
store, hardware store, or Harbor

31



der Bayerische March/April 2021

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