[BavFan_08]

I did some research, and checked the DIY forum, but I couldn't find the DIY link for swapping summer wheels/tires for winters on an E90.

Anyone have one with pics?

Yes I know swapping tires to many people is easy. I'm a bit paranoid and a newbie so I want to do it right!!!

thanks

P.S. No sarcastic comments please. I know I can just get it done at a local shop but I am interested in learning and doing it myself. thanks.

***OKAY**** FOUND DIY LINK. thanks

[///M3NACE]

who the hell can swap tires. you need a machine.

[///M3NACE]

If you mean wheels/tires. Its really easy. you need a jack a wrench and a pack of smokes.

[BavFan_08]

Found it;

http://www.e90post.com/forums/showth...ighlight=Tires

[Iluvwhite]

do u want to take off the whole set(wheel+tire)? or taking the rubber off the wheel? i believe thats the question first...

if u want to take the rubber off the wheel, then u need to find a shop to do it. Yet, if u just want to switch the current set(4X wheel+tire) into another set (a winter set i suppose?) then u just need a jack and a wrench will do the work.

hope that helps...

[bunnn]

What you're looking to do is to swap wheels(with already mounted tires). In which you would just need to get an torque wrench/jack/maybe impact wrench if you want ease. But anyways, if you're uncomfortable doing it once, ask a friend or watch a shop do it once or twice. it'll come easy after.

Now, as for mounting TIRES on wheels without machine..it's possible. Watch and be amazed!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_M0GNLvPmAg

[Inzane]

Originally Posted by BavFan_08

Found it;

http://www.e90post.com/forums/showth...ighlight=Tires

That isn't a very good write-up IMHO. (only with respect to jacking point)

You shouldn't need to jack up at the corners like that. If all you're doing is swapping tires, you should:

- jack up the whole front end from the front crossmember under the engine.
- jack up the whole rear end from under the diff casing

Only two lifts, 4 tires changed. Done. Must quicker than doing 4 independant corner lifts. The car is designed to be lifted at those points (front and rear), so why wouldn't you?

The 4 corner points are primarily for jack stands and 4-point lifts.

[BavFan_08]

Originally Posted by Inzane

That isn't a very good write-up IMHO. (only with respect to jacking point)

You shouldn't need to jack up at the corners like that. If all you're doing is swapping tires, you should:

- jack up the whole front end from the front crossmember under the engine.
- jack up the whole rear end from under the diff casing

Only two lifts, 4 tires changed. Done. Must quicker than doing 4 independant corner lifts. The car is designed to be lifted at those points (front and rear), so why wouldn't you?

The 4 corner points are primarily for jack stands and 4-point lifts.

Thanks guys!

Yes I am just looking to swap summers for winters - just swapping wheels with already mounted tires!

Thanks for the advice....so If I want to do lifts, what kind of jack would I need? Im guessing a 3 tonne jack wouldnt be enough?

[hubble bubble]

If you have multiple jacks and/or jack stands, then the method above will work. Most of us only use one jack, one corner at a time.

There is a jack point behind the front wheels and in front of the rear wheels. You can check your manual and then look under the car for them.

I use a floor jack, but any jack will do. Just be sure the jack will fit under your car. Loosten the lug nuts a little, jack it up, loosten them the rest of the way, take the wheel off. Put the new one on, line up the holes,tighted the lug nuts. Best is to use a torque wrench. I think it is 88 lb, but check the manual. Or use a tire iron and make sure not to reef on it too hard.

First wheel will probably take 25-30 minutes, but the 4th you'll have it down to 5-10 minutes.

[Funk365]

There is lots of good current info here......

http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=447644

about jacks and other tools you may want to change your wheels.

[Inzane]

Originally Posted by hubble bubble

If you have multiple jacks and/or jack stands, then the method above will work. Most of us only use one jack, one corner at a time.

You don't need multiple jacks for the method I described. One 2-1/2 to 3 tonne floor jack is plenty sufficient to lift half the car's weight.
What I described only involved two lifts, but not done simultaneously.

Lift front end, swap front two tires, let down. Lift rear end, swap rear two tires, let down. Simple.

[commie]

any trick to taking the wheel lock off when its too tightly screwed in?
I was able to swap 3 tires out, no problem...

The last tire, the wheel lock nut is too tight....I snapped the 1st wheel lock..
went to buy another one...
snap again..
argh..
quit for the day after another trip to the dealer and cleaned their stock of wheel locks..

after 3 broken wheel locks....how can I unscrew the nut without snapping the wheel lock?

my last option is take it back to the dealer..

[BavFan_08]

Originally Posted by commie

any trick to taking the wheel lock off when its too tightly screwed in?
I was able to swap 3 tires out, no problem...

The last tire, the wheel lock nut is too tight....I snapped the 1st wheel lock..
went to buy another one...
snap again..
argh..
quit for the day after another trip to the dealer and cleaned their stock of wheel locks..

after 3 broken wheel locks....how can I unscrew the nut without snapping the wheel lock?

my last option is take it back to the dealer..

Do you mean to snapped the key?

Hmm...were you using an impact wrench? or a breaker bar with an extension?

[commie]

Originally Posted by BavFan_08

Do you mean to snapped the key?

Hmm...were you using an impact wrench? or a breaker bar with an extension?

Yes the adaptor key...
I was using a torque wrench set to low with an extension.

[montreal red]

Originally Posted by Inzane

That isn't a very good write-up IMHO. (only with respect to jacking point)

You shouldn't need to jack up at the corners like that. If all you're doing is swapping tires, you should:

- jack up the whole front end from the front crossmember under the engine.
- jack up the whole rear end from under the diff casing

Only two lifts, 4 tires changed. Done. Must quicker than doing 4 independant corner lifts. The car is designed to be lifted at those points (front and rear), so why wouldn't you?

The 4 corner points are primarily for jack stands and 4-point lifts.

thats not going to work on my car. way too low to get to the middle jack point. i do the same procedure as what the guy in the DIY did.

basically jack 4 points one at a time.

[Andy M]

Originally Posted by commie

any trick to taking the wheel lock off when its too tightly screwed in?
I was able to swap 3 tires out, no problem...

The last tire, the wheel lock nut is too tight....I snapped the 1st wheel lock..
went to buy another one...
snap again..
argh..
quit for the day after another trip to the dealer and cleaned their stock of wheel locks..

after 3 broken wheel locks....how can I unscrew the nut without snapping the wheel lock?

my last option is take it back to the dealer..

Buy a cheap breaker bar from Canadian Tire. Then buy a large metal pipe to fit over the handle. Instant lever. High school physics at work.

The wheel lock shouldn't break. Just use the metal pipe method and apply pressure slowly.

[Inzane]

Originally Posted by commie

Yes the adaptor key...
I was using a torque wrench set to low with an extension.

You shouldn't be using a torque wrench to remove lug nuts. That's likely your problem right there.

A torque wrench is a precision instrument designed to apply final torque at a specific value when you're putting the lugs on, not taking them off.

As others have mentioned get yourself a decent breaker bar.

[VWtoBMW]

Originally Posted by ihsanshaik

If you mean wheels/tires. Its really easy. you need a jack a wrench and a pack of smokes.

That summs it up. I use a torque wrench and have a hydraulic lift/jack. Easiest thing to do.

[commie]

Originally Posted by Andy M

Buy a cheap breaker bar from Canadian Tire. Then buy a large metal pipe to fit over the handle. Instant lever. High school physics at work.

The wheel lock shouldn't break. Just use the metal pipe method and apply pressure slowly.

Is this the breaker bar you're talking about?

http://www.canadiantire.ca/AST/brows....jsp?locale=en

[Inzane]

Originally Posted by commie

Is this the breaker bar you're talking about?

http://www.canadiantire.ca/AST/brows....jsp?locale=en

Yeah, that one will do fine.

[TheRox]

Just did it in my garage

Few tips:

1. Make sure you use a torque wrench (90 ft*lbs +- 5 of torque); do NOT loosen ur lugs with torque wrench -- you will messs up the calibration

2. obviously have a small $10 air compressor to refinflate winters tires when finished

3. check your work twice - make sure you did tighten every bolt

4. jacking the car up is no big deal - use the jack mounts, see manual for location.

[2kaccordocoupe]

DIY it, its very easy to do.

If your out in the east end (Whitby) I can help you with it as I have all the necessary hardware and tools. Sometimes you just need someone to show you once just to get the confidence to do it yourself.