How to prevent nut falling off ring wrench?

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3
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I have minimal space to work with on a BMW X3.

I am changing the coolant.

I am following these instructions: https://www.newtis.info/tisv2/a/en/e83-x3-2.0d-sav/repair-manuals/17-cooling/17-00-cooling-check/HPNNTeW

I am dealing with the drain plug on the side of the engine block, which is removed.

I am now trying to put it back on.

From beneath the vehicle I need to use a long 22mm ring ratchet wrench (no room for other types of socket) and somehow use it to pass the M14x1.5 drain plug back up to the site (approx 30cm away), line it up and thread it on.

There is no room for larger tools, such as a ratchet wrench, and certainly no room for arms and hands.

The only tool that I can get through the gap with suitable clearance is a ring wrench.

Any tips on how to get the nut to stay on the wrench on the way up and not fall off or misallign as I try to thread it into place?

edited 1 hour ago

asked 1 hour ago

8bitjunkie

1163

New contributor

1

Welcome to Motor Vehicle Maintenance & Repair!
â€“Â PÃ¡Â´Â€Ã¡Â´ÂœÃŠÂŸsÃ¡Â´Â›Ã¡Â´Â‡ÃŠÂ€2â™¦
1 hour ago

1

Aren't German cars just wonderful to wrench on? (VW owner here...) For your tight situation, either of the current answers sounds great. I'd like to suggest that you get a set of ratcheting combo wrenches (for example). That way, once you've got the bolt in place, you can just swing the wrench to tighten it instead of having to try to reset the head after each eighth turn (which is probably all you have clearance for). There will likely be other tight spots where these will pay off, too.
â€“Â FreeMan
30 mins ago

Thanks @FreeMan. I have a set of these, this job would be impossible without. Only shame is they aren't magnetic, that would really help!
â€“Â 8bitjunkie
22 secs ago

add a commentÂ |Â

up vote
3
down vote

favorite

I have minimal space to work with on a BMW X3.

I am changing the coolant.

I am following these instructions: https://www.newtis.info/tisv2/a/en/e83-x3-2.0d-sav/repair-manuals/17-cooling/17-00-cooling-check/HPNNTeW

I am dealing with the drain plug on the side of the engine block, which is removed.

I am now trying to put it back on.

There is no room for larger tools, such as a ratchet wrench, and certainly no room for arms and hands.

The only tool that I can get through the gap with suitable clearance is a ring wrench.

Any tips on how to get the nut to stay on the wrench on the way up and not fall off or misallign as I try to thread it into place?

edited 1 hour ago

asked 1 hour ago

8bitjunkie

1163

New contributor

1

Welcome to Motor Vehicle Maintenance & Repair!
â€“Â PÃ¡Â´Â€Ã¡Â´ÂœÃŠÂŸsÃ¡Â´Â›Ã¡Â´Â‡ÃŠÂ€2â™¦
1 hour ago

1

Aren't German cars just wonderful to wrench on? (VW owner here...) For your tight situation, either of the current answers sounds great. I'd like to suggest that you get a set of ratcheting combo wrenches (for example). That way, once you've got the bolt in place, you can just swing the wrench to tighten it instead of having to try to reset the head after each eighth turn (which is probably all you have clearance for). There will likely be other tight spots where these will pay off, too.
â€“Â FreeMan
30 mins ago

Thanks @FreeMan. I have a set of these, this job would be impossible without. Only shame is they aren't magnetic, that would really help!
â€“Â 8bitjunkie
22 secs ago

add a commentÂ |Â

up vote
3
down vote

favorite

I have minimal space to work with on a BMW X3.

I am changing the coolant.

I am following these instructions: https://www.newtis.info/tisv2/a/en/e83-x3-2.0d-sav/repair-manuals/17-cooling/17-00-cooling-check/HPNNTeW

I am dealing with the drain plug on the side of the engine block, which is removed.

I am now trying to put it back on.

There is no room for larger tools, such as a ratchet wrench, and certainly no room for arms and hands.

The only tool that I can get through the gap with suitable clearance is a ring wrench.

Any tips on how to get the nut to stay on the wrench on the way up and not fall off or misallign as I try to thread it into place?

edited 1 hour ago

asked 1 hour ago

8bitjunkie

1163

New contributor

I have minimal space to work with on a BMW X3.

I am changing the coolant.

I am following these instructions: https://www.newtis.info/tisv2/a/en/e83-x3-2.0d-sav/repair-manuals/17-cooling/17-00-cooling-check/HPNNTeW

I am dealing with the drain plug on the side of the engine block, which is removed.

I am now trying to put it back on.

There is no room for larger tools, such as a ratchet wrench, and certainly no room for arms and hands.

The only tool that I can get through the gap with suitable clearance is a ring wrench.

Any tips on how to get the nut to stay on the wrench on the way up and not fall off or misallign as I try to thread it into place?

coolant bolts

edited 1 hour ago

asked 1 hour ago

8bitjunkie

1163

New contributor

edited 1 hour ago

asked 1 hour ago

8bitjunkie

1163

New contributor

edited 1 hour ago

asked 1 hour ago

8bitjunkie

1163

New contributor

asked 1 hour ago

8bitjunkie

1163

asked 1 hour ago

8bitjunkie

1163

New contributor

8bitjunkie is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.

1

Welcome to Motor Vehicle Maintenance & Repair!
â€“Â PÃ¡Â´Â€Ã¡Â´ÂœÃŠÂŸsÃ¡Â´Â›Ã¡Â´Â‡ÃŠÂ€2â™¦
1 hour ago

1

Aren't German cars just wonderful to wrench on? (VW owner here...) For your tight situation, either of the current answers sounds great. I'd like to suggest that you get a set of ratcheting combo wrenches (for example). That way, once you've got the bolt in place, you can just swing the wrench to tighten it instead of having to try to reset the head after each eighth turn (which is probably all you have clearance for). There will likely be other tight spots where these will pay off, too.
â€“Â FreeMan
30 mins ago

Thanks @FreeMan. I have a set of these, this job would be impossible without. Only shame is they aren't magnetic, that would really help!
â€“Â 8bitjunkie
22 secs ago

add a commentÂ |Â

1

Welcome to Motor Vehicle Maintenance & Repair!
â€“Â PÃ¡Â´Â€Ã¡Â´ÂœÃŠÂŸsÃ¡Â´Â›Ã¡Â´Â‡ÃŠÂ€2â™¦
1 hour ago

1

Aren't German cars just wonderful to wrench on? (VW owner here...) For your tight situation, either of the current answers sounds great. I'd like to suggest that you get a set of ratcheting combo wrenches (for example). That way, once you've got the bolt in place, you can just swing the wrench to tighten it instead of having to try to reset the head after each eighth turn (which is probably all you have clearance for). There will likely be other tight spots where these will pay off, too.
â€“Â FreeMan
30 mins ago

Thanks @FreeMan. I have a set of these, this job would be impossible without. Only shame is they aren't magnetic, that would really help!
â€“Â 8bitjunkie
22 secs ago

Welcome to Motor Vehicle Maintenance & Repair!
â€“Â PÃ¡Â´Â€Ã¡Â´ÂœÃŠÂŸsÃ¡Â´Â›Ã¡Â´Â‡ÃŠÂ€2â™¦
1 hour ago

Aren't German cars just wonderful to wrench on? (VW owner here...) For your tight situation, either of the current answers sounds great. I'd like to suggest that you get a set of ratcheting combo wrenches (for example). That way, once you've got the bolt in place, you can just swing the wrench to tighten it instead of having to try to reset the head after each eighth turn (which is probably all you have clearance for). There will likely be other tight spots where these will pay off, too.
â€“Â FreeMan
30 mins ago

Thanks @FreeMan. I have a set of these, this job would be impossible without. Only shame is they aren't magnetic, that would really help!
â€“Â 8bitjunkie
22 secs ago

add a commentÂ |Â

3 Answers
3

active

oldest

votes

up vote
3
down vote

Duct tape is your friend here, you simply use a piece to cover the back of the ring so the nut can't fall through. The glue will also hold the nut in place while you maneuver it.

answered 1 hour ago

GdD

4,364822

Thanks for this tip. I will give it a try.
â€“Â 8bitjunkie
1 hour ago

add a commentÂ |Â

up vote
3
down vote

I have also used grease to achieve that - and once the plug is in the correct place, I have held it there with a bar and turned it with the open-ended spanner.

answered 1 hour ago

Solar Mike

14.9k21027

Thanks for this tip. I think the bar is an important recommendation because otherwise I don't think the nut isn't going to bite onto the thread properly and the bolt will just fall. I hope I have enough room to get a bar in there! I will give this a try.
â€“Â 8bitjunkie
1 hour ago

3

Make sure the kids are far away, after it has fallen out for the 5th time, the language can be expressive :)
â€“Â Solar Mike
59 mins ago

add a commentÂ |Â

up vote
0
down vote

In addition to GdD's and Solar Mike's suggestions, I've also used "Blu Tack" for this - it tends to not be reusable afterwards though, as it's covered in grease, oil and muck...

answered 9 mins ago

Nick Câ™¦

24.3k34088

add a commentÂ |Â

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3 Answers
3

active

oldest

votes

3 Answers
3

active

oldest

votes

up vote
3
down vote

Duct tape is your friend here, you simply use a piece to cover the back of the ring so the nut can't fall through. The glue will also hold the nut in place while you maneuver it.

answered 1 hour ago

GdD

4,364822

Thanks for this tip. I will give it a try.
â€“Â 8bitjunkie
1 hour ago

add a commentÂ |Â

up vote
3
down vote

Duct tape is your friend here, you simply use a piece to cover the back of the ring so the nut can't fall through. The glue will also hold the nut in place while you maneuver it.

answered 1 hour ago

GdD

4,364822

Thanks for this tip. I will give it a try.
â€“Â 8bitjunkie
1 hour ago

add a commentÂ |Â

up vote
3
down vote

Duct tape is your friend here, you simply use a piece to cover the back of the ring so the nut can't fall through. The glue will also hold the nut in place while you maneuver it.

answered 1 hour ago

GdD

4,364822

Duct tape is your friend here, you simply use a piece to cover the back of the ring so the nut can't fall through. The glue will also hold the nut in place while you maneuver it.

answered 1 hour ago

GdD

4,364822

answered 1 hour ago

GdD

4,364822

answered 1 hour ago

GdD

4,364822

answered 1 hour ago

GdD

4,364822

Thanks for this tip. I will give it a try.
â€“Â 8bitjunkie
1 hour ago

add a commentÂ |Â

Thanks for this tip. I will give it a try.
â€“Â 8bitjunkie
1 hour ago

Thanks for this tip. I will give it a try.
â€“Â 8bitjunkie
1 hour ago

add a commentÂ |Â

up vote
3
down vote

I have also used grease to achieve that - and once the plug is in the correct place, I have held it there with a bar and turned it with the open-ended spanner.

answered 1 hour ago

Solar Mike

14.9k21027

Thanks for this tip. I think the bar is an important recommendation because otherwise I don't think the nut isn't going to bite onto the thread properly and the bolt will just fall. I hope I have enough room to get a bar in there! I will give this a try.
â€“Â 8bitjunkie
1 hour ago

3

Make sure the kids are far away, after it has fallen out for the 5th time, the language can be expressive :)
â€“Â Solar Mike
59 mins ago

add a commentÂ |Â

up vote
3
down vote

I have also used grease to achieve that - and once the plug is in the correct place, I have held it there with a bar and turned it with the open-ended spanner.

answered 1 hour ago

Solar Mike

14.9k21027

Thanks for this tip. I think the bar is an important recommendation because otherwise I don't think the nut isn't going to bite onto the thread properly and the bolt will just fall. I hope I have enough room to get a bar in there! I will give this a try.
â€“Â 8bitjunkie
1 hour ago

3

Make sure the kids are far away, after it has fallen out for the 5th time, the language can be expressive :)
â€“Â Solar Mike
59 mins ago

add a commentÂ |Â

up vote
3
down vote

I have also used grease to achieve that - and once the plug is in the correct place, I have held it there with a bar and turned it with the open-ended spanner.

answered 1 hour ago

Solar Mike

14.9k21027

I have also used grease to achieve that - and once the plug is in the correct place, I have held it there with a bar and turned it with the open-ended spanner.

answered 1 hour ago

Solar Mike

14.9k21027

answered 1 hour ago

Solar Mike

14.9k21027

answered 1 hour ago

Solar Mike

14.9k21027

answered 1 hour ago

Solar Mike

14.9k21027

Thanks for this tip. I think the bar is an important recommendation because otherwise I don't think the nut isn't going to bite onto the thread properly and the bolt will just fall. I hope I have enough room to get a bar in there! I will give this a try.
â€“Â 8bitjunkie
1 hour ago

3

Make sure the kids are far away, after it has fallen out for the 5th time, the language can be expressive :)
â€“Â Solar Mike
59 mins ago

add a commentÂ |Â

Thanks for this tip. I think the bar is an important recommendation because otherwise I don't think the nut isn't going to bite onto the thread properly and the bolt will just fall. I hope I have enough room to get a bar in there! I will give this a try.
â€“Â 8bitjunkie
1 hour ago

3

Make sure the kids are far away, after it has fallen out for the 5th time, the language can be expressive :)
â€“Â Solar Mike
59 mins ago

Thanks for this tip. I think the bar is an important recommendation because otherwise I don't think the nut isn't going to bite onto the thread properly and the bolt will just fall. I hope I have enough room to get a bar in there! I will give this a try.
â€“Â 8bitjunkie
1 hour ago

Make sure the kids are far away, after it has fallen out for the 5th time, the language can be expressive :)
â€“Â Solar Mike
59 mins ago

add a commentÂ |Â

up vote
0
down vote

In addition to GdD's and Solar Mike's suggestions, I've also used "Blu Tack" for this - it tends to not be reusable afterwards though, as it's covered in grease, oil and muck...

answered 9 mins ago

Nick Câ™¦

24.3k34088

add a commentÂ |Â

up vote
0
down vote

In addition to GdD's and Solar Mike's suggestions, I've also used "Blu Tack" for this - it tends to not be reusable afterwards though, as it's covered in grease, oil and muck...

answered 9 mins ago

Nick Câ™¦

24.3k34088

add a commentÂ |Â

up vote
0
down vote

In addition to GdD's and Solar Mike's suggestions, I've also used "Blu Tack" for this - it tends to not be reusable afterwards though, as it's covered in grease, oil and muck...

answered 9 mins ago

Nick Câ™¦

24.3k34088

In addition to GdD's and Solar Mike's suggestions, I've also used "Blu Tack" for this - it tends to not be reusable afterwards though, as it's covered in grease, oil and muck...

answered 9 mins ago

Nick Câ™¦

24.3k34088

answered 9 mins ago

Nick Câ™¦

24.3k34088

answered 9 mins ago

Nick Câ™¦

24.3k34088

answered 9 mins ago

Nick Câ™¦

24.3k34088

add a commentÂ |Â

8bitjunkie is a new contributor. Be nice, and check out our Code of Conduct.

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