[jwebb335xi]

Hey guys,

I plan to replace my front O2 sensors this week. I have long adjustable ratchet, 22mm crowfoot and 22mm O2 socket as well as ramps and jack stands.

My plan is to remove engine cover, put front on stands, remove belly pan, remove passenger front wheel, remove metal heat shield and then access O2s..

Will I need to move steering rack too; what time should i budget -90min or so?

[R.G.]

Originally Posted by jwebb335xi

Hey guys,

I plan to replace my front O2 sensors this week. I have long adjustable ratchet, 22mm crowfoot and 22mm O2 socket as well as ramps and jack stands.

My plan is to remove engine cover, put front on stands, remove belly pan, remove passenger front wheel, remove metal heat shield and then access O2s..

Will I need to move steering rack too; what time should i budget -90min or so?

Steering rack is two bolts to remove. A little tricky getting a short wrench to hold the top nut but it's 5% more work for 20% more room. If it's the first go at it, depending on general mechanical experience and tools put aside 4 hours. Might take you 1.5 but 4 gives you time to curse and take breaks.

Disclaimer: Steering rack bolts are one time use per BMW.

I removed mine about 20 times before they started loosening themselves. That could have been a disaster had I not known/ found out.

[Velocity26]

I did mine on a lift, and used wrenches instead of ratchet/sockets. I will admit that it took a few hours to replace all 4 sensors (pre and post cat), but I doubt that using a ratchet would have made it much faster or easier. Doing it my way necessitated moving the steering rack, no way around it. Then running the cables and tucking them all in, took some time too.

[Vincent_E90]

Originally Posted by R.G.

Steering rack is two bolts to remove. A little tricky getting a short wrench to hold the top nut but it's 5% more work for 20% more room. If it's the first go at it, depending on general mechanical experience and tools put aside 4 hours. Might take you 1.5 but 4 gives you time to curse and take breaks.

Disclaimer: Steering rack bolts are one time use per BMW.

I removed mine about 20 times before they started loosening themselves. That could have been a disaster had I not known/ found out.

Holy shit, did not know that. I've taken mine off at least 5 or 6 times. for o2s, downpipes and turbos.

[ken335AZ]

Drive onto wheel ramps, 10 min to take off belly pan, engine cover, and cowl. 5 min for PS rack with a 16mm open ended wrench for top nuts and and your ratchet w/e8 socket I think for the bolt heads. Push tack forward as far as you can. 5 min to take an open ended 7/8 or metric equivalent and break the 02 sensors loose. Maybe 10-15min to reach up in and remove one then go to top and trace/pull off as you go. Disconnect it and replace with new one, ten route it the same way. 10-15min to do the same for the second and then tighten both again nice and snug with your open ended wrench. Put rack back in place, no more than 10 min. 15 min to put back on covers and clean up. Shouldn't take more than 2 hours. I've done downpipes dozens of times so o2 sensors usually take 20 min max after you're familiar with the area.

[jwebb335xi]

Originally Posted by ken335AZ

Drive onto wheel ramps, 10 min to take off belly pan, engine cover, and cowl. 5 min for PS rack with a 16mm open ended wrench for top nuts and and your ratchet w/e8 socket I think for the bolt heads. Push tack forward as far as you can. 5 min to take an open ended 7/8 or metric equivalent and break the 02 sensors loose. Maybe 10-15min to reach up in and remove one then go to top and trace/pull off as you go. Disconnect it and replace with new one, ten route it the same way. 10-15min to do the same for the second and then tighten both again nice and snug with your open ended wrench. Put rack back in place, no more than 10 min. 15 min to put back on covers and clean up. Shouldn't take more than 2 hours. I've done downpipes dozens of times so o2 sensors usually take 20 min max after you're familiar with the area.

Thanks guys. Finished this last night. Putting car on ramps and only removing the metal belly pan give PLENTY of access. With a long 22mm, crow foot 22mm and a bit of WD 40, this was a piece of cake.

[Boland01]

Glad to hear it. I did our front two a couple months ago. Took me an hour or so. There was enough room on our 335i couple I didn't have to mess with the steering rack. Pretty easy job overall.

[jwebb335xi]

Originally Posted by Boland01

Glad to hear it. I did our front two a couple months ago. Took me an hour or so. There was enough room on our 335i couple I didn't have to mess with the steering rack. Pretty easy job overall.

Absolutely no need to touch the steering rack or remove wheel or plastic under shield-- just the metal one. Certainly well worth the DIY time. Other jobs, however, many of us are better off PAYING a pro..