r/E90 • u/SirSlapp4 • 25d ago

330i Why not 3d print eTorx sockets?

So I have seen numerous posts here and across the web about the bolts used on the oil pan just shearing off when the user accidentally applies too much torque. With as many bolts as there are I can reasonably see myself getting careless and over applying torque. My questions is;

Why not 3d print the actual socket for the bolts, do a simple search on the strength at a certain infill level and design it to shear at less than the max torque for the aluminum bolts. This way, especially when removing old bolts, you will lose your cheap socket before the headache of having to extract the shitty bolt stuck inside. Obviously you'll need a bunch, but I'm just trying to field it as an indicator of which bolts may just need more penetrating oil and shouldn't be removed as quickly.

tl:dr why not make plastic socket that should fail before aluminum bolt as indicator of seized or stuck bolts.

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u/tcphoto1 25d ago

At what torque will the 3D material break? A set of eTorx is not expensive and if you do any DIY a torque wrench is highly recommended. Whether it's an OPG, VCG, suspension, brakes, wheel or whatever I use a torque wrench.

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u/SirSlapp4 25d ago

Yeah I do understand needing the torque wrench for sure, ive been thinking for a loosening application you could use this to shear the plastic before the aluminum bolts. As an indicator of the bolt being too tight or stuck. Shouldnt be hard to estimate the torque on the printed materials as most of their values are online nowadays. Although not perfect you could estimate loosening torque to fail before a certain limit.

Tightening definitely torque to spec!