Bimmercult: March 2015

Tuesday, March 24, 2015

How to adjust the parking brake on bmw e36

Tools needed:

12mm wrench

9mm wrench

Lug wrench

Jack

Skinny flathead screwdriver

Jack up the car and remove the both wheels.(17mm)

Loosen the hand brake lines.(12mm)

Find the gear that tightens the hand brake pads and rotate it upward till it cant turn anymore, do this for both wheels. Then loosen the gear a bit so you can freely rotate the wheels.

Pull the hand brake a few times. Then pull the handbrake 4 clicks and tighten the handbrake line bolts using the two wrenches.

Put the wheels back on. You are all done.

Power seat recline gear DIY

Tools needed:

Ratchet and 16mm socket

Torx 25,20

Flathead screw driver

Replacement gear

Unscrew two of the back bolts of the seat.(16mm)

Slide the seat back remove two caps on the nuts.

Unscrew the two nuts holding the front of the seat.(16mm)

Disconnect two black and one white commectors. Also there is a smaller black connector disconnect that as well.

Remove the seat and unscrew the bolt using the t-25.

Unscrew the two motors each is held by two t-25 bolts.

Remove the four t-20 bolts off the gear box. Remove the two long t-25 bolts.

Remove the cover.

Take of the locking washer and remove the old gear.

Use a hammer or a wrench to slightly hammer in the gear onto the metal shaft.

Put on the locking washer onto the gear.

Place the gear with the shaft into the gear box and screw everything back into place.

Monday, March 16, 2015

How to choose the right oil viscosity for your bmw

Whenever it comes to an oil change, we tend to take an extra minute or two starring at the different oils that we can potentially use.

First, there is a reason why there is such a large motor oil selection at the store or online. Different brands use different additives in their oil. Additives range from detergents to seal conditioners and so on. Deterents clean the engine from all of the nasty deposits that build up over time. Seal conditioners help seals expand so they can seal the engine again and so it will not leak as much.

So now we know the importance of additives in oil. I want to touch up on how to choose the right viscosity. There is number on the oil container that we are all used to looking at. One might ask what does it mean? Most of use just follow the manufactures recommended oil viscosity, but over time we might move to a new climate or a better oil comes out and so there comes a need to change the oil's viscosity so our engines operate more efficiently.

First we look at the number which is followed by the "W" and then the number after the "-". For example lets use the oil most common oil that is put in BMW the Mobile1 full synthetic motor oil with the viscosity if 0w-40. The 0w means the viscosity of oil when it is cold. The lower the number the thinner the oil is in colder temersture, and the higher the number the more thick the oil is at high temperature. So, using an oil that is thin when just starting the engine helps the oil lubricate all of the engines vital parts and protect them from wear. It is just as important to use an oil that is thicker at higher temperatures so it can lubricate the engine well, that is because thicker oil tends to lubricate engine parts better and it seals the engine better.

So now we, know why its important to choose the right oil viscosity. We need to look at the the climate we live in. If we live in a colder climate we need an oil that is thiner on start, an oil that has a lower number next to the "w". This thinner oil will get to thevital engine parts faster and lubricate them.

In colusion, I explained why there are many different types of oils and why it is importsant to choose the right motor oil for the environment one drives the car in. Lets use this information to extend the lives of our cars and keep them on the road for the longest time possible.

Sunday, March 8, 2015

How to replace oil housing gasket on bmw e36

Supplies needed:

16mm socket

13mm socket

10mm socket

36mm socket

19mm wrench

3/8 ratchet

Oil housing gasket

Quart of oil

Remove the oil filter(36mm) and allow the oil in the housing to drain. Disconnect the battery terminal in the trunk.

Disconnect the MAF and remove the air box.(10mm)

Remove the drive belt.

Remove the two bolts(16mm) the hold the alternator.

Remove the two bolts (10mm & 13mm) that connect the two wires to the alternator.

Remove the sensor on the oil housing.

Remove the banjo bolt(19mm)on the vanos line.

Remove the six bolts(13mm) that hold the oil hosing to the block. Keep track where each goes they are of different size.

Pull back the housing remove the old gasket and replace it with the new one, be sure to clean the are and dip the new gasket in oil. Repeat the above steps in reverse order.

Wednesday, March 4, 2015

How to fit low offset wheels onto a BMW

Supplies needed:

Electric grinder

Tape

Newspapers

Hydralic jack

Lug nut wrench

Sandpaper

The supplies.

Take off the wheel.

Tape off the quarter panel.

Before grinding. Start grinding from the rear bumper and work your way to the front if the car be careful not to let the grinder slip or it will damage the bodywork.

Fender after grinding should look flush and without grooves. I recomend painting the metal on the inside of the fender so it will not rust.

The fitment of tires. I am running style 42 rims off of the e39 with an offset of 20. With 225 width of tires they were rubbing constantly. I switched to 215 and now am only rubbing on large bumps.