26Nov2011
BMW 330xi Power Steering
Knocked out some work on this 330xi the other day. The power steering rack was completely blown out, and since it had been driven dry, the pump was also shot. Nearly 200k miles on the clock, it definitely needs some work. Didn’t get many pictures of the rack R&R as my hands were covered in ATF most of time time, but it involves lowering the subframe down to get access to the rack. Once the subframe is down and suspension …
30May2011
Odds and Ends and Cleaning Day
Holiday weekend so haven’t been too concerned about being the in the garage. We are waiting on parts to finish up the supercharged 997, hopefully they will start showing up this week Sunday morning was fleet cleaning day with all the daily driver’s washed up. Fleet maintenance day will be coming up soon. Sunday I stopped over to a friend’s house to help them with brakes on the GT3, nothing we haven’t seen before Charged the AC on the black …
21Oct2010
2004 BMW 530i Oil Change
Did an oil change and inspection on this beautiful 530i today. Oil change went as planned, though the oil had 10k miles on it and was extremely black. I am personally not a fan of these 10-15k mile oil change intervals that most companies have gone to. The oil is coming out darker and thicker than it should, and I think there will be a lot of higher mileage issues in the future with these cars that stick to every …
22Sep2010
M gets an oil change
It was service time, so up on ramps she goes. Castrol TWS oil. Porsche guys think your mobil 1 is expensive? You have no idea. After draining the oil out the bottom, the filter was next. On the bolt holding the cap on, there is an o ring to replace, as well as a aluminum seal ring Since the filter housing is right there and upright, you can add almost a quart of oil to the housing/filter to reduce oil …
19May2010
BMW M3 rear diff and trans. service
Had a buddy bring over his beautiful M3 the other evening to change the gear oils. Not a big job, but a littler tricker to get in the air than the Porsche’s are, but after a couple hours he was back on the road. Most of the transmission experts I have talked to in the German auto world recommend changing your drive gear fluids annually. The transmission says lifetime fluid on it, but that is a joke IMHO. Nothing kills …
05May2010
Brake light on?
Is your brake pad light on? Car making odd grinding noises, worse when you hit the brakes? Weird fluid seeping out underneath one of your wheels? Might want to get your brakes checked! This is from a BMW that came in yesterday. I have never in my life seen a rotor this bad, it was so bad the piston actually popped out of the brake caliper because it was over extended! No wonder the car didn’t stop! Seriously, brakes are …
21Feb2010
2004 BMW 330Ci Service 2
Ok, I’ll promise to stop being lazy and keep the blog updated in my spare time, lol. Right now one of the current projects is a 2004 BMW 330Ci that I am doing a service 2 on along with some other maintenance. The owner is moving to Arizona, and wants the car in tip top shape in the hotter climate. And the pile of parts we have to go on the car. List of things we are doing: Radiator Coolant …