So it's been a while since an update - I haven't spent too much time working on the car overall, but it's been so long that a lot has been accomplished.
Here we go:
1. Sunroof bmw seal works perfect, clean the edges and install 1.5x of them - I mated them in the middle at the back.
Paint up close looks like this in a lot of areas without wax - during the cars transport across the country a wrecked mdx dumped it's entire oilpan onto the car that baked in the sun most of the trip. Kind of a bummer, but might push me to repaint it soon. I have a picture of it somewhere - but its not a great memory haha.
2. Nougat and I get to work
3. Finished the headliner install - I don't recommend doing this job yourself. If you also ever find yourself needing to get the impossible springs on the sunroof vent I came up with a fun trick - Get some thick fishing line on the springs and pull them into place - once they're in just get some surgical scissors and cut the line.
Have a few small bubbles to smooth out near the visors - but it is a massive improvement inside.
4. Shout out to the homies from Milwaukee - These tools are amazing. The big 1/2" takes off the car lugs in 2-3 duggas everytime - it's unstoppable. The best part is if you need to work quietly they are brushless and do not make a lot of noise.
5. Visited a cool volcano
6. Got to visit Germany/Austria and go warp speed in a Mercedes wagon on the autobahn. Saw a lot of cool cars.
7. Laughed at this box too much and got back to work.
8. Replaced the 'Hydraulic Pressure Accumulator' aka the 'build of materials' - This thing was a complete mess.
Public Service Announcement:
I knew for a while I didn't have pressure assistance with the brakes unless the car was running. I always thought in my mind that if I did lose the belt on the PowerSteering pump, I would simply overpower the pedal and stop the car as needed - I've driven manual brake cars!
Lucky for me I decided to try it myself a few weeks ago - I can tell you that I was dead wrong.
Early AM: To be a good neighbor I decided to push the car down the hill - Coasting down a 12* hill with the wheel unlocked. I start picking up a lot of speed and try to apply the brakes - I get to the point where I am about to break the pedal off and I am still catching up speed. At that point I pop the clutch in 2nd gear (lol) and I am ecstatic that I have the ability to stop again. This really put things in perspective what would happen at a high speed incident if I lost the motor - I couldn't even stop the thing going <10 mph - Yikes.
Anyway - Removal has been straight forward - I followed the instructions here:
http://20v.org/brakprob.htm
The only thing they got wrong though is you don't need to get your arm wet with hydraulic fluid. Get a small clamp or vice grips wrapped in tape and pinch off the rear line -
dassit.
Couldn't get the 'Banjo' fitting off - can you see why? I decided it was time to disconnect this line at the pump which was a great idea - this thing is toast.
David Kase supplied this replacement unit - he was great to deal with and the shipping packaging was very secure.
Should have the replacement line here this weekend to bleed the system/refill - Excited to see how it feels as I don't think I've ever driven this car with real braking assistance!
9. Since everything was pulled out I decided to remove these monstrosities and replace with some packed OEM Engine mounts with 3M Window Weld. I put some cheap silver heatshielding on it that I'll probably change it to the cool gold foil. I think they are going to feel great on the roads.
Here is what an 034 mount looks like after it re-enters earths atmosphere - then gets welded together by a 20v lover (hahaha)
Also made OEM Transmission Mounts using the same method - will post that info later.
10. Finally replaced the bypass pipe with a new bosch pump - the Rad fan had to work too hard without it
11. Think I discovered a 'new' 200 20v mod - Prove me wrong?
I punched out the front window of the airbox and relocated the windshield sprayer tank - It was literally held in with just tabs.
It should be relatively louder now and get direct airflow from the headlight area - I need to clean it up and get it installed, but I like the idea a lot more than a cone filter.
12. I found one of these - small but important interior piece!
13. Been enjoying garage time with the dog and commuting in my wife's cool A5 - The b9 is a serious car!
14. Finally - Did it's yearly regular maintenance
- Rotated tires
- Changed oil (Trying liquidmolylube for the first time - freaked me out that it looks like used oil)
- Changed all plugs (Staying with the BKR7E's)
- Changed Fuel Filter
- Checked/Topped off Trans Fluid
15. There is also a 3% chance I go to BBQ this year - it's an 18 hour ride but it may give me an excuse to tow something with my truck I don't use often. I have something going on that Sunday, so it would be a bit extreme.