BMW X3 Service & Repair Manual: Grinding aluminum components

1.0 Recommended tools and equipment

Grinding work on the outer skin:

• To carry out grinding work by hand or machine, you must use the recommended tools and equipment.

  The workbay can be cleaned with conventional extractor systems (low dust concentration).

Grinding work on the structure (except Z8):

• To carry out grinding work by hand or machine, you must use the recommended tools and equipment.

  The workbay can be cleaned with conventional extractor systems (low dust concentration).

Z 8 Spaceframe structure:

• To carry out machine grinding on the structure, you must use the recommended device with grinding dust extractor facility.

  The workbay must be cleaned with the recommended explosion-proof extractor system.

  High dust concentration, explosion hazard!

2.0 Grinding outer skin and structure

Do not use any abrasives (grinding wheels, paper, etc.) which contain iron (risk of corrosion).

Always replace abrasives which have already been used to treat steel (risk of corrosion).

Use stainless steel wire brushes only (risk of corrosion).

Reduce speed of grinding machines. Excessive speeds cause a smearing effect.

Do not use coarse abrasive grains (only ≥ 80).

Do not grind notches into the material (risk of cracking).

Do not grind the material thin.