Complete torque reference for the BMW E46 330. All values in Nm with ft-lb equivalent. Always use a calibrated torque wrench.
Note: “Plus angle torque” means torque to the initial value, then rotate the additional degrees specified. Use a torque angle gauge for accuracy.
| Fastener | Torque | Notes |
|---|
| Wheel lug bolts | 120 Nm (88 ft-lb) | Star pattern, re-torque after 100 km |
| Crankshaft pulley bolt | 410 Nm (302 ft-lb) | Requires special holder |
| Front wheel bearing nut | 290 Nm (214 ft-lb) | Replace nut |
| Cylinder head bolts | 40 Nm + 90° + 90° | Three-step angle torque |
Engine - General
| Component | Torque | Notes |
| Cylinder head bolts (initial) | 40Nm (30ft-lb)
| Plus 90° + 90° angle torque. New stretch bolts required. |
| Cylinder head bolts (angle 1) | 90° | After initial 40 Nm |
| Cylinder head bolts (angle 2) | 90° | After first 90° |
| Valve cover bolts (M6) | 10Nm (7ft-lb)
| Aluminum - do not overtighten |
| Spark plugs | 25Nm (18ft-lb)
| Per Bentley manual. Do not use anti-seize unless reducing torque 20%. |
| Oil drain plug (M12) | 25Nm (18ft-lb)
| Replace crush washer each time |
| Oil filter cap | 25Nm (18ft-lb)
| |
| Intake manifold bolts (M7) | 15Nm (11ft-lb)
| M8 bolts: 22 Nm. DISA bracket M6: 10 Nm. |
| Exhaust manifold to cylinder head (M7) | 20Nm (15ft-lb)
| M7 or M8 bolts. Replace nuts if corroded. |
| Exhaust manifold to cylinder head (M6) | 10Nm (7ft-lb)
| M7/M8 bolts: 20 Nm |
| Crankshaft pulley bolt | 410Nm (302ft-lb)
| Single-use bolt. Requires special holder tool. |
| Flywheel bolts (manual) | 105Nm (77ft-lb)
| New stretch bolts required |
| Flexplate bolts (auto) | 121Nm (89ft-lb)
| |
| Camshaft bearing cap to head (M7) | 14Nm (10ft-lb)
| |
| Engine mount to subframe (M10) | 45Nm (33ft-lb)
| Self-locking nut |
| Oil pan to engine block (M6, 8.8) | 10Nm (7ft-lb)
| 10.9 grade: 12 Nm |
| Oil pan to engine block (M8, 8.8) | 22Nm (16ft-lb)
| |
| Oil pump bolts (M8) | 22Nm (16ft-lb)
| |
| Oil pump sprocket nut (M10x1) | 25Nm (18ft-lb)
| Left-hand thread |
| Oil pressure switch | 27Nm (20ft-lb)
| |
| Vibration damper to crankshaft hub (M8) | 22Nm (16ft-lb)
| |
| Knock sensor to cylinder block | 20Nm (15ft-lb)
| |
| Camshaft position sensor to head | 5Nm (4ft-lb)
| |
| ECT sensor to cylinder head | 13Nm (10ft-lb)
| |
| Oxygen sensor to exhaust manifold | 50Nm (37ft-lb)
| |
| Intake manifold bracket to manifold (M6) | 10Nm (7ft-lb)
| Bracket to cylinder block (M10): 47 Nm |
VANOS System
| Component | Torque | Notes |
| VANOS unit to cylinder head (M6) | 10Nm (7ft-lb)
| M7 nuts: 14 Nm |
| VANOS spline shaft bolt (T30) | 8Nm (6ft-lb)
| Left-hand thread. Do not overtighten. |
| Hydraulic piston set screw (M6) | 10Nm (7ft-lb)
| |
| Oil line banjo bolt to VANOS | 32Nm (24ft-lb)
| |
| Sealing plug to VANOS unit | 50Nm (37ft-lb)
| |
| Primary chain tensioner to head | 70Nm (52ft-lb)
| |
| VANOS solenoid to VANOS unit | 30Nm (22ft-lb)
| |
| Sprocket assembly to camshaft (M7 Torx) | 20Nm (15ft-lb)
| Initial torque: 5 Nm. M6 mounting nut: 10 Nm. |
| Exhaust camshaft locating stud | 20Nm (15ft-lb)
| |
| Impulse wheel studs to intake camshaft (M7) | 20Nm (15ft-lb)
| |
| Secondary chain guide to head (Torx) | 10Nm (7ft-lb)
| |
Cooling System
| Component | Torque | Notes |
| Thermostat housing bolts | 10Nm (7ft-lb)
| Aluminum - careful of threads |
| Water pump bolts (M6) | 10Nm (7ft-lb)
| Coolant pump to timing chain cover |
| Water pump pulley bolts | 10Nm (7ft-lb)
| |
| Radiator drain plug | 2.5Nm (2ft-lb)
| Plastic - hand tight |
| Coolant drain plug (block, M12) | 25Nm (18ft-lb)
| |
| Fan clutch nut | 40Nm (30ft-lb)
| Left-hand thread |
| Expansion tank cap | 1.4° | Pressure rating, not torque |
| Radiator bleed screw | 2.5Nm (2ft-lb)
| |
| Fan blade to viscous clutch bolts | 10Nm (7ft-lb)
| |
Manual Transmission
| Component | Torque | Notes |
| Transmission-to-engine (M12 Torx) | 72Nm (53ft-lb)
| M10: 43 Nm, M8: 22 Nm |
| Transmission crossmember to body (M8) | 21Nm (15ft-lb)
| |
| Shift lever bolts | 22Nm (16ft-lb)
| |
| Transmission fill/drain plug | 50Nm (37ft-lb)
| |
| Clutch to flywheel bolts (M8) | 24Nm (18ft-lb)
| 8.8 grade. 10.9 grade: 34 Nm. Star pattern. |
| Clutch slave cylinder bolts | 22Nm (16ft-lb)
| |
| Clutch master cylinder to pedal cluster | 22Nm (16ft-lb)
| |
| Clutch fluid line to master/slave cylinder | 20Nm (15ft-lb)
| ±5 Nm |
| Back-up light switch to transmission | 20Nm (15ft-lb)
| |
| Transmission output shaft collar nut | 190Nm (140ft-lb)
| Stage 1: 190 Nm, loosen, then Stage 2: 120 Nm |
Automatic Transmission
| Component | Torque | Notes |
| Transmission-to-engine (M12 Torx) | 72Nm (53ft-lb)
| M10: 43 Nm, M8: 22 Nm |
| Torque converter bolts (M10) | 45Nm (33ft-lb)
| 3 bolts, access through starter hole |
| Transmission pan bolts | 10Nm (7ft-lb)
| GM A5S 360R/390R. ZF A5S 325Z: 6 Nm. Do not overtighten. |
| ATF drain plug (ZF A5S 325Z) | 35Nm (26ft-lb)
| GM A5S 360R/390R: 20 Nm |
| Mechatronic sleeve bolts | 10Nm (7ft-lb)
| |
| Auto transmission crossmember to body | 23Nm (17ft-lb)
| Auto trans specific (manual trans: 21 Nm) |
Front Suspension
| Component | Torque | Notes |
| Front strut top nut (M14) | 64Nm (47ft-lb)
| Hold piston rod with hex key |
| Front strut mount to tower (M8) | 24Nm (18ft-lb)
| Self-locking nuts. 21mm flange: 34 Nm. |
| Steering arm pinch bolt at strut | 81Nm (60ft-lb)
| |
| Control arm ball joint to subframe (M14) | 90Nm (66ft-lb)
| Self-locking nut |
| Control arm ball joint to steering arm | 65Nm (48ft-lb)
| Self-locking nut |
| Control arm rear bushing bolt | 59Nm (44ft-lb)
| Torque at ride height |
| Front sway bar end link nut | 59Nm (44ft-lb)
| |
| Front sway bar bracket bolts (M8) | 22Nm (16ft-lb)
| |
| Front wheel bearing collar nut | 290Nm (214ft-lb)
| Stake nut after tightening. Replace nut. |
| Front subframe to body (M12, 8.8) | 77Nm (57ft-lb)
| 10.9 grade: 110 Nm. 12.9 grade: 105 Nm. |
| Brake caliper to steering arm | 110Nm (81ft-lb)
| |
Rear Suspension
| Component | Torque | Notes |
| Rear shock piston rod nut | 14Nm (10ft-lb)
| Mount-to-body nuts: 28 Nm |
| Rear shock lower bolt | 100Nm (74ft-lb)
| |
| Rear trailing arm bolts | 110Nm (81ft-lb)
| Torque at ride height |
| Rear upper control arm to subframe (M12) | 77Nm (57ft-lb)
| |
| Rear lower control arm to subframe (M12) | 110Nm (81ft-lb)
| |
| Rear sway bar end link nut | 34Nm (25ft-lb)
| |
| Rear subframe mounting stud (M12) | 90Nm (66ft-lb)
| |
| Rear subframe to body (M12) | 77Nm (57ft-lb)
| |
| Drive axle collar nut (M24) | 250Nm (184ft-lb)
| M27: 300 Nm |
| Rear trailing arm bracket to body (M12) | 77Nm (57ft-lb)
| |
Brakes
| Component | Torque | Notes |
| Front caliper carrier bolts | 110Nm (81ft-lb)
| |
| Front caliper guide pin bolts | 30Nm (22ft-lb)
| Lubricate pins |
| Rear caliper carrier bolts | 65Nm (48ft-lb)
| |
| Rear caliper guide pin bolts | 30Nm (22ft-lb)
| Lubricate pins |
| Brake disc set screws | 16Nm (12ft-lb)
| |
| Brake line banjo bolt | 18Nm (13ft-lb)
| New copper washers. Do not overtighten. |
| Brake bleeder valve (7mm) | 5Nm (4ft-lb)
| 11mm bleeder: 16 Nm |
| ABS sensor bolt | 8Nm (6ft-lb)
| |
Wheels
| Component | Torque | Notes |
| Wheel lug bolts | 120Nm (89ft-lb)
| Star pattern, re-torque after 100 km. Bentley manual cites 100 Nm. |
Driveshaft
| Component | Torque | Notes |
| Flex disc bolts (M10, 8.8 grade) | 48Nm (35ft-lb)
| 10.9 grade: 60 Nm. New self-locking nuts. |
| Flex disc bolts (M12, 10.9 grade) | 100Nm (74ft-lb)
| |
| Center support bearing bolts | 21Nm (15ft-lb)
| |
| Driveshaft to diff flange (M10) | 80Nm (59ft-lb)
| Varies by bolt type: Torx 83 Nm, black 100 Nm, silver 80 Nm |
| Driveshaft clamping sleeve | 10Nm (7ft-lb)
| |
| Drive axle to diff flange (M10, locking teeth) | 96Nm (71ft-lb)
| Replace bolts |
| Driveshaft to diff flange (M10, compressed nut) | 64Nm (47ft-lb)
| |
Differential
| Component | Torque | Notes |
| Differential fill/drain plug | 70Nm (52ft-lb)
| Metal seal ring. With rubber O-ring: 60 Nm. |
| Differential to subframe front (M12) | 110Nm (81ft-lb)
| |
| Differential to subframe rear (M14) | 174Nm (128ft-lb)
| |
| Differential cover bolts (M10) | 45Nm (33ft-lb)
| 8.8 grade. 10.9 grade: 55 Nm. |
| Front differential fill/drain plug (AWD) | 65Nm (48ft-lb)
| |
| Front differential to oil pan (M10, AWD) | 45Nm (33ft-lb)
| |
Steering
| Component | Torque | Notes |
| Steering wheel bolt | 63Nm (46ft-lb)
| Disconnect battery first (airbag) |
| Tie rod end nut | 65Nm (48ft-lb)
| |
| Tie rod jam nut | 45Nm (33ft-lb)
| Set alignment before tightening |
| Steering rack to subframe | 42Nm (31ft-lb)
| |
| Steering column to rack | 22Nm (16ft-lb)
| |
| Power steering pump bolts | 22Nm (16ft-lb)
| |
| Airbag to steering wheel screws | 8Nm (6ft-lb)
| |
| Inner tie rod to steering rack | 100Nm (74ft-lb)
| ±10 Nm |
| Power steering banjo bolt (M14) | 35Nm (26ft-lb)
| M16: 40 Nm |
Transfer Case (AWD)
| Component | Torque | Notes |
| Transfer case to transmission (M10) | 41Nm (30ft-lb)
| |
| Transfer case filler plug (M18) | 33Nm (24ft-lb)
| |
- Always use new self-locking nuts where specified
- Apply threadlocker where specified (brake caliper carriers)
- “Torque at ride height” means tighten with suspension loaded (car on ground)
- Aluminum threads require extra care — torque values are lower