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DIY e30 M20 valve spring compressing technique

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    DIY e30 M20 valve spring compressing technique

    Hi all, I've searched all over and found a several different tools and different ways to compress the springs on cylinder heads. I bought the "Universal Valve Spring Compressor" from Harbor Freight, but was not satisfied with the results (surprise!, lol). Normally, I don't mind springing (pun intended) for a proper tool, but I thought "this is not that complicated, the tolerances are low, and the forces required are not that high"...so I tried to find another way with things I had in the garage. Here's what worked quite well for me and I hope it helps other m20 owners.

    Here's the tool I bought:


    I wanted only the adapter for this trick, so I removed the c-clip retainer:


    Use a pliers to adjust the size of the adapter...


    ...to fit the spring retainer:


    Place a towel around the top, side, and bottom of the head where you'll be working:


    continued on next post
    current fleet: '89 325is; '91 325ic; '88 325is; '91 325i
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