MLee

That's what I'm thinking too, definitely the best option.

Cheers for the ideas guys.

There we go, I'm guessing you know your way around a welder Andrew?

I'm leaning toward buying a replacement unit and keeping the solenoids as spares - I've heard they go for a pretty penny.

Exactly as I thought. There isn't a lot of space in there.

Don't know where my noise is coming from, can only assume it would be like yours. There wasn't a lot of it to begin with really.

I'm quite happy to forego that madness for the sake of a little [healthy] rattle.

Thanks Geoff, however the S54 and S50 shafts are quite different (unfortunately - as there does seem to be quite a few S54 shafts about):

(thanks for the pic Kelvin)

These things are tiny, I'm no expert with metal but I can only imagine working on the end of that shaft would be like surgery.

It is hollow! I would like to blame that for the reason why it spun off so easily, however I can't really blame that at all.

That could work? However you can see why I would simply prefer to replace it.

I suppose there could always be someone on here who might like to purchase a spare VANOS unit?

That is possible, but could be quite tricky to get the right placement of the helical gear - as drawing it in to the spline requires moving the camshaft through it's adjustment at the same time.

Since I created such drama with my VANOS refurb, I thought I'd go full hog and replace the intake cam sprocket diaphragm spring whilst I was at it.

However after delving in to the manuals, it looks like they can only be replaced by removing the intake camshaft, and that looks to require a special tensioning and/or timing tool of some sort.

The diaphragm spring is designed to resist play in the helical mesh and reduce rattling. They are known to be completely shot after a wee while.

Has anybody replaced these before? How easy is it to remove and replace S50B30 camshafts? (Surely not too difficult?)

Cheers,
Liam.

I was winding the nut counter-clockwise (whilst looking at the unit from the front) and placing slight counter pressure on the hex when it sheared off. Obviously too much counter pressure!? :beer: It certainly didn't release with the amount of torque I was expecting.

Maybe a lack of finesse?? Nevertheless it put me in my place for days

You're right, there isn't a lot of material - hence why I'm thinking along the lines of the screwdriver idea.

Hi guys,

When refurbishing my S50B30 VANOS, I managed to wind the hex tip off of the splined shaft (a warning to all others - THIS SEEMS FAR TOO EASY TO DO).

I've been hunting around UK/German wreckers for a couple of months now to find a replacement, with special thanks to Arron. It seems nobody wants to sell me a splined shaft assembly for the single VANOS separately, which I can understand. Options are to buy either a full cam gear set or an entire VANOS (both quite pricey). There is a chance that S50B32 shafts are available - but I'm not sure if the intake splined shaft is the same as on the S50B30.

Otherwise, I'm warming up to the idea of machining a slot/tool shape in the end of the shaft - in lieu of the hex - to allow it to be held whilst the lock nut is fastened on reassembly. The perfectionist in me would like to replace it, however if there are no issues with the modification then it could be a much cheaper option than bringing in a whole new unit from Europe.

Has anybody screwed this up before? Does anybody have any advice?

Cheers,

Liam.

Spins are definitely disconcerting the first couple of times, especially with power on and after a few turns! The world really starts moving.

Really good effort.

I like how you drew the very real link between M3 review's and porn.

Cheers Xcel - however that's for a slightly different VANOS. Dr VANOS mainly service the American market, therefore even though they'll overhaul a Euro VANOS unit, I'm sure they won't have many spares if anything were to break.

I managed to get the unit out by taking the splined shaft out at the same time (however not sure what this means for VANOS timing - will have to cross this bridge when I come to it).

The nut on the end of the shaft was so damn tight! I don't see how you couldn't strip the minuscule hex off the end of the shaft trying to remove it. I see in TIS they also say to loctite it on? Almost as if it were designed to never come off again.

I imagine the shaft softens with age and heat cycles, making the small hex extremely brittle. It looks like the E46 version has a female hex in the end of the shaft instead - theres a good chance something promoted them to change it.

I think I know what.

Hi guys,

Does anybody know where I can get a S50B30 single VANOS unit? Or specifically the intake spline assembly with the central shaft?

Three guesses what I managed to do...

Not having a very good day.

Cheers,

Liam.

I agree about the facelift front.

I quite like those lights whenever I see them - always thought they'd look great on the M car.

That should do it.

+1 silver.

There is something about silver and blue.

This is awesome.

These auctions always make me chuckle.

I see some shots of the Milford road there - pretty amazing place.

Stunning colour Amber! Been following your E46 M3 hunt for a while now.

Glad to see perseverance pays well.

Is it still too late to jump on the band-wagon here? I'd also be interested in a pair for that price.

People seem to hate on the grey, but I also think it's pretty awesome.

I would be looking seriously at this machine - if I had the cash!

It has got to be done.

Ohhh I love Bavaria.

This is going to be awesome.