Driveshaftbolts

[gspd]

I noticed that this bulletin states "-for U.S.A. and Canada only-".
Does that mean you don't have to replace those bolts if you're in Mexico (or Scotland) ?
Or is it because of the ridiculous lawsuits that can only happen in North America?

[jackonz]

Yep, the Clymer manual is wrong and I have now pulled off the gator again and pulled them out, cleaned and used blue Loctite and torque to 40Nm.

I found on line info confirming that what you are all telling me and now the subframe is back on its time to start on the front end

[Rob Frankham]

I noticed that this bulletin states "-for U.S.A. and Canada only-".
Does that mean you don't have to replace those bolts if you're in Mexico (or Scotland) ?
Or is it because of the ridiculous lawsuits that can only happen in North America?

BMW issued their service bulletins seperately for the US market and for the 'domestic and export' market... I'm not sure why. In most cases but not all, the bulletins have similar wording. Interestingly (and again I don't know why), the US bulletins often didn't come out for several months after the 'domestic' version. I don't have a copy of the 'domestic' version of this particular bulletin but I have little doubt that there was (is) one. What is also interesting (to me anyway) is that the US importer also issued it's own bulletins, repeating, sometimes enlarging and occasionally contradicting BMW's own.

Rob

[spo123]

While I have replaced the short bolts.....I have ALSO, reused the short bolts.....with no issues.
ALWAYS, spotlessly CLEAN THREADS and Blue Locktite....correctly applied.

[Rob Frankham]

I noticed that this bulletin states "-for U.S.A. and Canada only-".
Does that mean you don't have to replace those bolts if you're in Mexico (or Scotland) ?
Or is it because of the ridiculous lawsuits that can only happen in North America?

BMW issued their service bulletins seperately for the US market and for the 'domestic and export' market... I'm not sure why. In most cases but not all, the bulletins have similar wording. Interestingly (and again I don't know why), the US bulletins often didn't come out for several months after the 'domestic' version. I don't have a copy of the 'domestic' version of this particular bulletin but I have little doubt that there was (is) one. What is also interesting (to me anyway) is that the US importer also issued it's own bulletins, repeating, sometimes enlarging and occasionally contradicting BMW's own.

Rob

To complete the above, here is the 'domestic' market version of the relavent Service Information:

Bolts1.jpg (147.56 KiB) Viewed 1016 times

Bolts2.jpg (36.88 KiB) Viewed 1016 times

Rob

[Kurt in S.A.]

Interesting that is says the bolts cannot be reused, even if slightly over tightened. That suggests to me, or maybe I'm reading between the lines, that if the bolts are tightened to 29.5 ft-lbs or slightly under, that would not constitute being over tightened and could be reused. Over tightened suggests plastic deformation whereas tightening to spec would keep the bolt within its elastic qualities and thus could be used more than once.

Kurt in S.A.

[Rob Frankham]

What it says to me is that you re-use bolts there is a real chance that one or more will fail. If it does so, then the damage is likely to be pretty expensive. I gues it all depends if yer feeling lucky... Well are ya...

Rob