What did you do to your other car(s) today?

[Mike W.]

Some love for the wife's E39. Replaced the heater buttons, which wasn't difficult but was a bit tedious with all the little contacts in there that want to move around as you're assembling it. Installed short sheet metal screws to replace the broken plastic rivets holding the back of the seat pockets in place at the top. Fixed the CD changer. Again More like got it working rather than fixed it. Jammed some fuel line in to keep the sunroof from hitting the air deflector on closing. Still need to repair the lift in back feature, but all things in time. Disconnected the seat belt height adjustment cable from the passenger seat, my wife likes the seat all the way back, but isn't tall, and the auto feature (I hate auto pretty much anything) raises the B pillar pick up height as you move the seat back, so it was always hitting her on the neck.

Now if I could just find an affordable paint job and fix the back of the sunroof she'd be perfectly happy with a 238K car, it does run like a top.

[davintosh]

Fixed the CD changer. Again More like got it working rather than fixed it.

If you want to "fix" it for good, just replace your changer with a BavSound SoundPlicity unit. I picked up a used SoundPlicity one for $40 and added a Bluetooth module to it. Now whenever my iPhone is in the e53, all I do is hit Play to listen to whatever is cued up. The car didn't have a CD changer when we got it -- it has the in-dash single disk player -- but did have the wiring for it, and the BavSound unit just plugged into the harness in the back. Super slick.

[Justin_FL]

Dave, Is the bluetooth module something proprietary to SoundPlicity? Or just something that plugs into a line-in on the unit for bluetooth streaming audio only?

I have used a DICE unit in my E39 since 2007 and it works great with a ~2005 era iPod. But doing streaming radio off the phone would be nice from time to time (hands-free calling not that important). My DICE was meant to be either trunk mounted or placed inside the cabin, under the armrest. I left it in the trunk rather than snake the cable through the interior. Using bluetooth seems a bit easier than moving the DICE unit inside for aux-in

[davintosh]

I've been chasing down an ABS fault on the e32 for a few days now; replaced both rear wheel sensors with a pair sourced from a junkyard e34, and the ABS light is still on. Grrr. The "new" sensors appeared to be much newer and the cables were in much better shape than the old, which have been patched up a bit since I've owned it.

Also, I've been in touch with the Warranty Administrator at ThyssenKrupp Bilstein of America about the state of my not-quite-two-year-old rear shocks; the ride is horrible, and they're leaking something terrible. A new pair is on its way, should be here next week! I asked if I needed to send the old ones back, and nope; all they needed was the photos I sent to confirm they are trashed. Those shocks should really last longer than two years, but the bonus points for ThyssenKrupp Bilstein of America customer service balance things out. For now.

Tonight my eldest son and I will be putting some time into the Muttstang's convertible top. He's actually said out loud that he wishes he'd never bought it (score one for Dad) but rejected the idea of just unloading the thing in its hail-damaged state. So we're replacing the top, and the hydraulic motor that raises/lowers it. Should be fun since we're both diving into the job blind. Anybody with experience replacing convertible tops available to help?

[oldskool]

The FJ80's radiator started steaming and hissing last month. I guess after 200k, it has had enough.
I laid a few sweat socks along the seam in front where it was leaking to buy some time while I shopped for a new car, always adding a little water along the way, fo sho. Shopped the new cars, and then quickly bought another radiator.
Armed and dangerous, I pulled it all apart like a fat man at the buffet table. Everything going waaay too well so I'm happy. Higher than a giraffe's pussy. I get cocky and throw in some Vivaldi, Four Seasons even. Feeling good until I stumbled upon the bolts behind the headlights that the engineer behind the e28 starter brilliant bullshit must have been called in on to supervise. Fucjkin' balsacz.
A few hinged socket extensions and hack saw blade action on some bullshit that was in my way, and the new is in! Stabbed the palms of my hands with flat-bladed screwdrivers so many times that I lost count, plus the music had turned to the winter passages by now. I was done. Lost a bunch of bolts but everything else should go back together perfectly. No Vivaldi tomorrow though. Too real.

[cddallara]

Awhile back my father's Jeep Grand Cherokee (and everything else he owned) got stolen while he was visiting us (in his other truck).
It was recovered, but not before the thieves tried to burn it to the ground. The genii shut the doors with the windows up so the lit gas can on the passenger seat promptly extinguished itself. But, not before torching the headliner, sun visor, glovebox/surrounds, seat and door card.
I spent a hour or so with some purple power on the headliner and intact plastic bits, getting rid of most of the smoke damage.
I've got a glovebox, surrounds, and door card coming. Trying to find a seat for cheap. Not going to change out the center console/hvac setup and I can't fix the headliner, but I swapped in a new (used) sun visor, looks way better.
He's in Africa for a month so it'll be a surprise/thanks for all the work he's done on our house the past couple years. I just wish I could do more for him than a couple second hand parts, but he'll have a hard enough time 'accepting' the few things I was able to do.

[Das_Prachtstrasse]

Replaced the hose clamps on the reservoirs power steering lines in the e34. Thing was pissing out everywhere. Gotta diagnose a mystery water leak now too. It's losing about a liter a week, but there's no sign anywhere of where it's going, no milkshake and no soggy carpet. Got me stumped.

Oh yeah, the failure of the throw bearing was pretty impressive. Had my buddy install the new clutch kit while I was away, and he kindly left me the old pressure plate and bearing to admire. It's a miracle the thing was driving.

[Karl Grau]

Gotta diagnose a mystery water leak now too. It's losing about a liter a week, but there's no sign anywhere of where it's going, no milkshake and no soggy carpet. Got me stumped.

Bob, I had the same mystery on my Honda and after waaay over diagnosing everything, it was the radiator cap. I'm not familiar with e34s but replacing the original cap that had been on the Honda since '98 solved the water loss puzzle. The cap was just old and releasing water/vapor at a lower BAR than factory spec.

[Das_Prachtstrasse]

Gotta diagnose a mystery water leak now too. It's losing about a liter a week, but there's no sign anywhere of where it's going, no milkshake and no soggy carpet. Got me stumped.

Bob, I had the same mystery on my Honda and after waaay over diagnosing everything, it was the radiator cap. I'm not familiar with e34s but replacing the original cap that had been on the Honda since '98 solved the water loss puzzle. The cap was just old and releasing water/vapor at a lower BAR than factory spec.

Interesting. Now that you mention it, I did swap the cap with a spare I had sitting in the toolbox a few months ago after noticing the original one was pretty shagged. As they looked identical and it screwed right on I never bothered to check part numbers or temps however it's highly possible it's from a 525i or 520i or some other shitbox I parted out over the years and may be different. Thanks for the idea, I'm gunna go check it out.

[Das_Prachtstrasse]

Had a successful trip to the local yard yesterday. '94 525i with deadlocked doors was sitting there untouched, yard operators had smashed a window to climb in and remove the battery but otherwise no one had yet been inside. Promptly pried off the door handle surrounds, undeadlocked the doors from the outside, and was greeted with a lovely surprise:




First time I've ever come across fold down rear seats in an e34 sedan. And in black leather, too. Score!

Anyway, I nabbed the entire update door card set, including the center console and driver kick panel although unfortunately the glovebox must've been replaced in the past by a early unit, so I've gotta find one of them still. Will go back today to grab the rear seats and all the associated bracketry and carpets for Trents 540/6, as he's been scouring the world for fold down rear seats in black leather for years. Gotta grab the headlights for Jon's M5T, too. 'Aint gunna be much left of this car by the end of the day.

Installed the update cards and trims in the daily this morning, and leather fed the the lot while I was at it. It's come up nice. Shame the exterior of the car looks like it sat in the bottom of a lake for 20 years.

[Mike W.]

Replaced the hose clamps on the reservoirs power steering lines in the e34. Thing was pissing out everywhere. Gotta diagnose a mystery water leak now too. It's losing about a liter a week, but there's no sign anywhere of where it's going, no milkshake and no soggy carpet. Got me stumped.

Oh yeah, the failure of the throw bearing was pretty impressive. Had my buddy install the new clutch kit while I was away, and he kindly left me the old pressure plate and bearing to admire. It's a miracle the thing was driving.

Reminds me of an E24 I used to have. It was wrecked and I was fixing it up, the TO bearing was obviously bad, but I had it ready to get smog, light and brake tests required to reregister it. It passed everything, but no clutch pedal when I picked it up. No real biggie to drive it home that way, but it was Friday and Monday I had to be at DMV to have them check numbers. Having lots of spares including a clutch helped the busy weekend. But yeah, lots of pressure plate fingers in the bottom of the bellhousing and some nicks on the sensors.

[1st 5er]

1st 5er got new pads all around.

[nik77356]

Bought it.

[davintosh]

Very noice, Nick!! Da Red Sled! Hard to believe after ordering it in go-fast Red the previous owners left the Style 2s on it. Might I interest you in some Eibach lowering springs?

Dave, Is the bluetooth module something proprietary to SoundPlicity? Or just something that plugs into a line-in on the unit for bluetooth streaming audio only?

I have used a DICE unit in my E39 since 2007 and it works great with a ~2005 era iPod. But doing streaming radio off the phone would be nice from time to time (hands-free calling not that important). My DICE was meant to be either trunk mounted or placed inside the cabin, under the armrest. I left it in the trunk rather than snake the cable through the interior. Using bluetooth seems a bit easier than moving the DICE unit inside for aux-in

Sorry, Justin; missed that question. It's just an off-the-rack BT receiver that plugs into the iPod connector. ~$15 from Amazon. http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B0094G44P ... SY200_QL40

[davintosh]

Anybody ever replaced the sway bar mounts on an e36? What a pain in the arse. Both of the mounts on my daughter's 318ti looked like this one (except the right side bracket tore completely away):



So yesterday we tore into the removal job with a grinder, hammer & chisel, and a cheap air hammer that quit working after five minutes. After several hours we had the left side out completely, and about 90% of the right side. To get the rest out we may have to remove the AC compressor. Did I mention this job is a pain in the arse? Well, it's a pain in the arse. The old ones came out in many pieces, but the new ones haven't arrived yet, so... We wait.

[Mike W.]

Fixed the E39's sunroof today. Thought light was good idea so I worked outside instead of pulling it into the garage. Bad thought when it got up to 100. Broken black plastic. Man I hate that stuff, not only is it cheap and short lived but there's no contrast with it, it's just a black hole.

But the wife is happy, now if only I can figure out an affordable paint job.

[Mike W.]

More like what happened to my other cars today. Well, technically yesterday but close.

The wife was headed down the freeway in traffic when the car in front of her swerved slightly, only for her to see the plastic bucket way too late with too much traffic to avoid. To say it broke the fog light is an understatement, it shattered it. And I've got a spare, for the other side.

And someone lifted part of the license plate sticker off the E12. I even had it sliced, just not small enough pieces apparently. The fine at DMV is only $19 for being the victim of a crime and spending a couple of hours dealing with it all. Grrrrrr.

[davintosh]

A case of what happened to my other cars today here too. My daughter stopped by SF on her way to Minneapolis to see some friends today, then left about 4 or so. She called me about 5:30 with bad news; her e36 Compact had been running fine before she stopped for gas, but after filling the tank she started it up and it was running really rough and "smelled bad." She looked under the hood, and something didn't look right, so she fired up Facetime on her phone to show me what she was seeing; a spark plug boot was sticking out from the plastic cover on top of the valve cover. So I had her look down into the plug hole, and the plug wasn't there, just a hole.

Holy. Crap.

I've never heard of a car ejecting a spark plug before, but there it was. She found the plug laying on the pavement under the car. I had her dig out the spark plug tool from the kit in the back of the car to see if she could thread it back in; after a number of tries it would only go in about a full turn and she couldn't turn it any farther by hand so I had her stop. I ended up renting a dolly, and my son & I towed the 735 about 90 miles to where she was and swapped cars. Super Dad to the rescue.

I guess I know what I'll be doing tomorrow.

The sad/stupid part of all this is I was about this close to having her just take my car to MN and leave hers here so I could make a few repairs to it while she was gone. Dang. Can I have the last five hours back? No, I didn't think so.

[w0014170]

Drove the Land Rover around Houston on errands, fired up immediately after sitting 2 months in the parking garage, I like this truck...and all the warning lights

[wkohler]

Did it the other day but I replaced the hatch struts, hood struts and the glass struts on the touring. Hood struts held it open fine, but it didn't violently shoot forward like it does now, so... You have to watch out for the tailgate too. Wow.

[Mark 88/M5 Houston]

Had a flat repaired at my local Firestone store. They dismounted the tire and plugged and patched it from the inside. They remounted and balanced it and performed their 20 some point check list and cost me exactly $0.00. I love old school tire and repair shops. I've been using their services since I moved to the Woodlands in '88.

[BRRV]

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[davintosh]

Tore into the plug problem on the 318ti today. Picked up a Heli-Coil spark plug re-thread kit at O'Reilly's and muddled my way through the job. They recommend smearing the tap thingy with grease to pick up all the shavings, then want you to put silicone sealant on the insert to seal it to the new threads in the head... What a frickin' mess. I spent more time cleaning the grease and crap from down inside that spark plug tube -- which is about six inches deep -- than cutting the new threads. I'm pretty sure I got all the shavings out, but I'd give a lot for a decent endoscope or something to peek down in the cylinder to make sure.

Speaking of endoscopes/borescopes, why the heck isn't that something I already own? There are dozens on Amazon for under $40; basically just a camera on a USB cord or flexible stalk, but it seems like something that would come in really, really handy for a lot of things, automotive and otherwise. I'm ordering one tomorrow.

[wkohler]

$40? Interested in which one you order.

[Coldswede]

Tore into the plug problem on the 318ti today. Picked up a Heli-Coil spark plug re-thread kit at O'Reilly's and muddled my way through the job. They recommend smearing the tap thingy with grease to pick up all the shavings, then want you to put silicone sealant on the insert to seal it to the new threads in the head... What a frickin' mess. I spent more time cleaning the grease and crap from down inside that spark plug tube -- which is about six inches deep -- than cutting the new threads. I'm pretty sure I got all the shavings out, but I'd give a lot for a decent endoscope or something to peek down in the cylinder to make sure.

Speaking of endoscopes/borescopes, why the heck isn't that something I already own? There are dozens on Amazon for under $40; basically just a camera on a USB cord or flexible stalk, but it seems like something that would come in really, really handy for a lot of things, automotive and otherwise. I'm ordering one tomorrow.

I have one you could have borrowed Dave. You could have just stopped by for a beer or coffee and taken it home with you.

Oh, mine was $100 at Home Despot.

[Karl Grau]

I bought a $15.00 version and thought it worked pretty well for the price. If I thought I'd use one more often, I would splurge on the $40.00 one.

http://www.amazon.com/Endoscope-Waterpr ... ewpoints=1

[Justin_FL]

Cleaned the interior of my eff-150. Used my new Dupray steam cleaner. This was always a clean truck and I keep up on detailing, but holy cow did it make a difference. Light gray interior so you could see the grunge drip off the door panels that I thought weren't dirty. Very handy around the house, too.

[davintosh]

Ordered a $25 scope; a little extra for a mirror that threads onto the business end -- lets you see around corners -- and a 5M cable on it. I've wanted to get a view of my driveshaft at different points to see where the driveline shudder on acceleration is coming from. The cable length ought to get me there. Maybe getting video evidence will convince the CFO that spending $400 for a rebuilt driveshaft isn't a bad idea.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00L8O ... d_asin_lnk



Looks like it ships from China though, so no Prime 2-day shipping. Rats.

[tig]

Last year for my birthday (Sept) my son bought me a new Rennline pedal set for the 911. I quickly got the throttle, brake, and clutch pedals in, but not the dead pedal. I also had left off the carpet piece and some other trim pieces in the meantime. Today, with my son's help, we got the dead pedal fitted and installed. We had to drill holes in the fender for this, so needed to be extra careful.

Got it all back together and all the trim back in place. The best thing about this upgrade is that the only place my carpet has any stain on it is now under the dead pedal . It looks a crooked in this picture, but it's not.



The old head unit in the 911 was dated. It didn't have bluetooth and I hated the way it works. When I upgrade Vlad's head unit earlier this year, I was able to get his old one replaced with a brand new unit under warranty. We also swapped that in today.

[wkohler]

So what happened to that cable you had sticking out awkwardly in the last head unit install?