So I have a bad vanos

Oh, one more potential gotcha, while it's fresh on my mind: Some torque wrenches are only calibrated for right-hand torque. Check that yours is good for left-hand torque before you use it on the left-hand-threaded bolts.

Best of luck!

Originally Posted by Wolrab

Oh, one more potential gotcha, while it's fresh on my mind: Some torque wrenches are only calibrated for right-hand torque. Check that yours is good for left-hand torque before you use it on the left-hand-threaded bolts.

Best of luck!

The danger of snapping the head off of these is so good, and with nasty consequences, that I'd not use a torque wrench. I used a 1/4" drive and just snugged the bolts tight to the left by feel. No need for the ultimate tightness as the normal rotation of the cams is in the direction to keep these tightening.

Originally Posted by Stinger9

The danger of snapping the head off of these is so good, and with nasty consequences, that I'd not use a torque wrench. I used a 1/4" drive and just snugged the bolts tight to the left by feel. No need for the ultimate tightness as the normal rotation of the cams is in the direction to keep these tightening.

I have to disagree with you. I'm an aircraft mechanic, and everything has a torque value for a reason. Torquing bolts too much can not only cause them to shear, but can cause excessive wear in low-tolerance applications. Insufficient torque can lead to excessive wear from rattling, or from having a bolt back out (although these bolts are reverse thread, and it's very very highly unlikely if not completely impossible that would happen). If you're applying the proper torque to new bolts it's highly unlikely you'll shear them, as the engineers who designed the VANOS unit also designed bolts that were meant to withstand that torque, and they did so with a purpose. It'll be nearly impossible to gauge 6 ft-lb by feel, so save yourself some possible heartache down the road and just torque the bolts properly.

I can't disagree with anything that you say here IF someone has an accurate torque wrench for the extremely low range that is required. But I'm giving my advice to those in general who will use a torque wrench that could get them in trouble with inaccurate torque applied. Heck someone just mentioned that they didn't even have miniature needlenose pliers to pull out the oil seals!
I snugged mine up by hand gently 10,000 miles ago and I'll bet it never gives me a problem. Yes, it does require a bit of experience wrenching around cars.

And if my falling out of the sky was dependent upon the precision of 6 ft-lbs, I'd be out buying that $300 low range electronic torque wrench! All of life cannot be as precise as is needed there.

Ah, I see what you're saying. I thought you were just straight up telling him not to use one. I bought a cheap one off of amazon, then converted 6 ft-lbs to 72 in-lbs. As long as you're within 5ish in-lbs on either side, you shouldn't have too much to worry about. The wrench I bought would not do torque to the left, so I ended up dissembling the ratcheting head and reversing it. Worked like a charm, and I think it only cost me around $50. If you absolutely can't bring yourself to buy a torque wrench ... then you could do it by feel, but I'd still be nervous.

Originally Posted by ryansteel87

... then you could do it by feel, but I'd still be nervous.

You'd be nervous because you have been taught to get things right. If mechanics at the dealers were more like you, I'd be taking my car there more often.
Unfortunately too many stories on here and personal experiences that drive me to DIY.