1997 528i, 5 speed

[uscharalph]

[QUOTE=DanDombrowski]
"I don't know about the E39, but why does everyone say the E34 has no cupholder? Just about every cup I've ever had in the car jams nicely into the rectangular center console thing- coffee cups, all the fast food cups (as long as you don't get the ridiculously large one), starbucks, etc. Just have to wipe out the condensation from time to time. Sorry to hijack the thread."

Where did that come from???????

[DanDombrowski]

The post I replied to was discussing the difference between the e39 and e34, and how the e34 had no cupholder.

[John in CT]

Floyd;

If it like my E34 I consider it a two man job. First, you may need to get the radiator fan out of the way, maybe not on your car. If you do need to remove the fan you need a 28mm wrench and a way to keep the hub from turning as you loosen the reverse thread. I made a tool from a large rusty screwdriver, basically sharpening it so you can wedge a couple of the fan hub bolts while you unscrew the wrong-threaded bolt.

Now, pop the plastic cover off the tensioner center, put your 8mm hex in there and get a serious breaker bar, like a 1/2" iron pipe a few feet long and have the helper release the tension while you remove and replace the belt from underneath the car. Force required to release tension is significant.

Job pretty easy but much better the second time around....