From: "Steve D'Gerolamo"Date: Sun, 17 Nov 1996 Subject: Updates to Club Tool Box Professional Tools for the Home Mechanic The club's tool box is about 10 years behind the times...the tools I've been selling the most to shops, BMW digest members and even some of the local BMW dealerships are as follows: Thrust arm bushing tool...to change the thrust arm (upper control arm) bushing on E23/E24/E28/E31/E32/E34 models. The tool I use allows you to change the bushing on the car. I also have the separator tool to take the arm off the car (I've seen shops without the tool beat the thrust arms so hard with a hammer that the fog lights fell out of the front valence...on a 750il). Rear subframe bushing tool...to change the rear subframe bushings/mounts on E30/E28/E24/E36/E32/E34/E23/E31 models. With these tools, a 6-7 hour job can be done in 20 minutes per side. Reset Tools.....for SRS, Inspection, DME fault code reset, EML, electronic transmissions, etc. Also allows for component activation of injectors, purge valves, etc for test purposes. There are 3 tools (made by Programma) which will do all of the above on all of the 87 and later models. Ball joint tool for E36's...most shops and owners don't know that the ball joint is changeable on the E36 model (BMW sells the part for under $20.00) and they wind up buying complete new control arms when the joint goes bad. This tool allows changing of the ball joint with the control arm on the car in about 10 minutes per side. Control arm bushing press...to R&R the slide on bushings on all E30 models. For people that don't have a press and the proper size plates at home to do this job. Camshaft & flywheel lock tool...essential for any disassembly on the twin cam M42/M44/M50 engines. The tool locks the camshafts in place up top while a flywheel lock keeps the crankshaft from turning. A must for profile & head gasket replacements. Without this, camshaft timing is lost and must be reset manually, not an easy job. Fan clutch tools...long thinwall 32mm open end wrench and a fan hub locking tool make R&R a cinch. Front and rear wheel bearing tools...set of 3/4 drive (30, 36 & 46mm) sockets and 3/4 breaker bar and the proper press and installation tools to do the job on all late models (E30/E28/etc). There are plenty of other specialty items (m3 spark plug sockets, oxygen sensor sockets, headlight switch escutcheon tools, brake bleeders, etc) but the above should be enough for now. I have all the tools available for evaluation...maybe we can try some out at the next tech session. SD Steve D'Gerolamo c/o The Ultimate Garage, Emerson, NJ (201-262-0412)