porschefig

I can reach the back sensor with a ratchet/extensions/socket but not my hand (I have the bolt out, and I've dropped it. Now I get to go buy a magnetic retriever tool..)

I can reach the front sensor with my hand but not with a ratchet/extension/socket.

Can you get to them from underneath?

n_hall

i just did the reference sensor and i was able to do it with my hand, i can only imagine that i would be able to reach the speed sensor (rear most) sensor. maybe get someone else with smaller hands to give it a go. or try a universal joint and some tape or something to hold the bolt in. not sure, but hope it helps.

m73m95

FOR THE LOVE OF GOD .... cover the TDC check hole on the bell housing!

If that bolt falls in to the clutch, then doing the sensors will be the least of your worries!!

I got to mine from the top, but it takes many swear words. I never tried from the bottom.
Speed and Reference sensor replacement

KuHL 951

I think it might be too late for that warning

V2Rocket

i can promise you my hands are bigger than yours and i have managed to contort them into that space many time before to retrieve bolts and sensors. keep trying, the more your hand hurts the closer you are to getting it

JohnKoaWood

I did mine in 5 minutes with the intake removed...

choinga

HAHA no truer words were ever spoken when it comes to working on these cars...

dillon410021

lol

John_AZ

+1

I've suggested this often and seldom done. The next OP post is usually....
"The reference sensor has broken in half, now what?"

The normal solution has been----I hammered the dam sensor bracket to pieces.

So to save time, begin to look for a used sensor bracket and the BMW sensor interchange is about $70 each. Replace the pan head hex with a standard bolt and put antisieze on the threads.

Oh, m73m95 has VG advice.

GL on you task.
John_AZ

m73m95

No OP posts since ..... Maybe he's in the middle of removing the trans. and torque tube to get the bolt out of the bell housing?

Calmchaos

Having a bolt fall in that hole is the worst feeling in the world...

porschefig

No, the bolt didn't fall in the TDC hole. I finally had a chance to buy a magnetic retriever and it should be easy to get the bolt now.

I'll cover the TDC hole (!!!!) and get back to it tomorrow. If I don't get them changed before Wednesday then it's time for turkey and moving to a house (with a garage!!). Removing the intake is pretty easy so I can do that in the garage (but not in the apartment parking lot).

Thanks for the advice!

JohnKoaWood

Good luck with em... my biggest problem with getting to them was my ride height... my car sits so low I was killing my back being bent over the engine bay! but I did spend 3 days doing various odds and ends while in ther and most of that was either bent over the engine or laying under the car (clutch hydraulics, sensors, sensor harness, intake removal, intake re-install, siamesing the replacement harness back into the factory engine bay harness, Oil change, etc..etc..etc..) I just can't stop tinkering with her... I need to leave her alone and just enjoy her for what she is for a while... on that note, I think I will adjust the struts and shock to full firm to see if I like it better...

Bri Bro

I lift the car a foot or so off the ground with a lift when working on the engine. Much easier on the back.

yellowline

I changed those when I had my engine out. They were in so tight/aged that I broke one of them anyways.

Honestly, pulling the engine sounds like the nuclear option, but it makes every job so much easier. LOL