Spreading Steering Knuckle Pinch Clamp

Former_Boosted_IS · 11-12-2009, 06:07 AM

My Bentley service catalog suggests using BMW tool 31 2 230 to spread the steering knuckle pinch clamp when removing the front strut. I am having trouble finding this tool. Any universal tool that can be used to spread the steering knuckle pinch clamp? I just read this can be a pain when doing the front suspension.

Chowbow · 11-12-2009, 12:54 PM

I just used a pry bar and some PB. I think a 1/4 drive also fits in the gap there and you can rotate it 45 degrees or so to expand it a bit.

Former_Boosted_IS · 11-13-2009, 04:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chowbow

I just used a pry bar and some PB. I think a 1/4 drive also fits in the gap there and you can rotate it 45 degrees or so to expand it a bit.

PB? I am going the pry bar route I guess.

DV · 11-13-2009, 08:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Former_Boosted_IS

PB? I am going the pry bar route I guess.

Pry bar works. Just be careful because you're spreading aluminum. I think he's referring to PB Blaster penetrating oil. Great stuff.

scott@bmwhn · 11-13-2009, 10:17 AM

i highly recommend using a 1/4 adapter socket it works perfectly! (do not use a cheap one though).

Former_Boosted_IS · 11-13-2009, 10:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by scott@bmwhn

i highly recommend using a 1/4 adapter socket it works perfectly! (do not use a cheap one though).

Scott, are you saying to use the 1/4" adapter on a 3/8" driver, insert it in the gap where the BMW special tool goes and turn it to spread the knuckle?

HP Autosport · 11-13-2009, 11:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Former_Boosted_IS

My Bentley service catalog suggests using BMW tool 31 2 230 to spread the steering knuckle pinch clamp when removing the front strut. I am having trouble finding this tool. Any universal tool that can be used to spread the steering knuckle pinch clamp? I just read this can be a pain when doing the front suspension.

Try your local Snap-on, Mac or Matco tool guys.

Topshelf1 · 11-14-2009, 05:23 PM

I didn't even need to spread mine. Just loosened the bolt and tapped the strut out. Was actually much easier than expected.

uberschnell · 11-15-2009, 10:15 PM

I find cosmos to be a pretty good spreading tool

genuity · 01-22-2011, 07:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Former_Boosted_IS

Scott, are you saying to use the 1/4" adapter on a 3/8" driver, insert it in the gap where the BMW special tool goes and turn it to spread the knuckle?

Thanks for the tip! I'll have to try this out

mycoupe · 01-23-2011, 08:51 PM

I've used a big flat head screw driver to pry open every one I've ever done that was stuck.

ninesixtwo · 01-25-2011, 02:26 AM

On the E46 I screwed the bolt into the other side of the threads in the clamp, and turned the bolt into a piece of metal placed in the center of the clamp to spread it apart. I used a wrench for a spring perch—something flat. Not sure if this trick works for E90s. Careful not to damage the end of the bolt (I never did though)

IN54NITY · 01-25-2011, 03:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ninesixtwo

On the E46 I screwed the bolt into the other side of the threads in the clamp, and turned the bolt into a piece of metal placed in the center of the clamp to spread it apart. I used a wrench for a spring perch—something flat. Not sure if this trick works for E90s. Careful not to damage the end of the bolt (I never did though)

Brilliant, with all the mechanical advantage you probably ever need, and it would free both your hands to yank that strut. Wait, I can't remember, was the clamp threaded? I vaguely remember that it was on my e92 as well.

In my case I just sprayed some WD-40 on both left and right, went back to the fridge, popped a beer, drank it while watching the idiot tube, came back, and both struts came out with just the weight of the strut assembly.

zsapphire7 · 01-25-2011, 12:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ninesixtwo

On the E46 I screwed the bolt into the other side of the threads in the clamp, and turned the bolt into a piece of metal placed in the center of the clamp to spread it apart. I used a wrench for a spring perch—something flat. Not sure if this trick works for E90s. Careful not to damage the end of the bolt (I never did though)

ooo next time ill do this. Much easier than a pry bar. i found that even with a pry bar i need one extra hand to pull. Definately much easier with 2 ppl.

dcorn · 01-26-2011, 02:36 PM

Instead of putting the pry bar in horizontally and prying on a very small lip of aluminum, stick the pry bar in the gap at the top and hold it vertically. This gives you much more surface area to pry against and reduces the chance the bar will slip or bend the aluminum.

I had a bent strut from a huge pothole and it took lots of hammering with a mini sledge on the bottom of the strut, plus lots of prying the knuckle apart, to get it out. Sucked big time.

e90TiAg335i · 01-26-2011, 07:43 PM

I just use a chisle and tap it into the gap until the strut loosens up. It stays put so both hands are free.

11-12-2009, 06:07 AM	#1
Former_Boosted_IS Major General 307 Rep 5,175 Posts Drives: 4 Wheels Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Planet Earth! iTrader: (15)	Spreading Steering Knuckle Pinch Clamp My Bentley service catalog suggests using BMW tool 31 2 230 to spread the steering knuckle pinch clamp when removing the front strut. I am having trouble finding this tool. Any universal tool that can be used to spread the steering knuckle pinch clamp? I just read this can be a pain when doing the front suspension.
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11-12-2009, 12:54 PM	#2
Chowbow pew pew 166 Rep 6,781 Posts Drives: 三三五i Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: CA iTrader: (6) Garage List 2015 BMW 328i wagon [0.00] 2007 BMW 335i sedan [10.00] 1997 BMW 328i track ... [10.00]	I just used a pry bar and some PB. I think a 1/4 drive also fits in the gap there and you can rotate it 45 degrees or so to expand it a bit. __________________ CSL replicas are now CSL counterfeits. Jesus saves, like Valentine1.
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11-13-2009, 10:17 AM	#5
scott@bmwhn Major 134 Rep 1,245 Posts Drives: Msport X3 Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Houston iTrader: (3)	i highly recommend using a 1/4 adapter socket it works perfectly! (do not use a cheap one though). __________________ 03' 525iT stick, 22' 530i Previous: 20' X3 M40i, 19' 740i Msport, 17' 430i GC, 15' Msport X3 28i, 15' Sportline X1 28i, 13' Msport 328i, 09' Msport 335i, 07' Msport 335i
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11-14-2009, 05:23 PM	#8
Topshelf1 Private 16 Rep 99 Posts Drives: 2006 Z4 Coupe/2006 325xiT Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: PA iTrader: (0)	I didn't even need to spread mine. Just loosened the bolt and tapped the strut out. Was actually much easier than expected.
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11-15-2009, 10:15 PM	#9
uberschnell Brigadier General 675 Rep 4,080 Posts Drives: Wide Body 1 Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Bay Area iTrader: (48)	I find cosmos to be a pretty good spreading tool
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01-23-2011, 08:51 PM	#11
mycoupe Banned 55 Rep 1,495 Posts Drives: 07 335i coupe 6spd Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: cincinnati, Ohio iTrader: (5)	I've used a big flat head screw driver to pry open every one I've ever done that was stuck.
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01-25-2011, 02:26 AM	#12
ninesixtwo Second Lieutenant 6 Rep 288 Posts Drives: E91 Join Date: May 2010 Location: Bay Area, CA iTrader: (0)	On the E46 I screwed the bolt into the other side of the threads in the clamp, and turned the bolt into a piece of metal placed in the center of the clamp to spread it apart. I used a wrench for a spring perch—something flat. Not sure if this trick works for E90s. Careful not to damage the end of the bolt (I never did though) __________________ want to buy: OEM style 157 or 339
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01-26-2011, 02:36 PM	#15
dcorn Captain 77 Rep 940 Posts Drives: 2008 E90 335i Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: NoVA iTrader: (2)	Instead of putting the pry bar in horizontally and prying on a very small lip of aluminum, stick the pry bar in the gap at the top and hold it vertically. This gives you much more surface area to pry against and reduces the chance the bar will slip or bend the aluminum. I had a bent strut from a huge pothole and it took lots of hammering with a mini sledge on the bottom of the strut, plus lots of prying the knuckle apart, to get it out. Sucked big time.
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01-26-2011, 07:43 PM	#16
e90TiAg335i Major 124 Rep 1,151 Posts Drives: 10 e90 335i Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: jacksonville, FL iTrader: (10) Garage List 2010 e90 335i [7.00]	I just use a chisle and tap it into the gap until the strut loosens up. It stays put so both hands are free. __________________ JB4, DP, VMR V710, Sonic Tuning S1 coilovers, Hybrid Ovations, Soundsplinter 10" and Zapco DC Ref amps
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