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Down the squeaky dash rabbit-hole.
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10-18-2024, 04:39 PM | #1 |
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Down the squeaky dash rabbit-hole.
So how far would I go to eliminate the squeaking dash on my newly restored 325i? Pretty far but apparently not as far as I'm gonna go. I removed the cabin filter housing and strut tower braces to rule them out, then started removing my dash 1 piece at a time. First the trim, then the radio/temp controls, then the cluster, then the blower, then the center console, then f-it, time for the whole dash. I can see why this is one of the most expensive jobs at a shop, it is tedious and there's a crapload of things to unscrew, pry off, wires to disconnect, the steering wheel and stalks have to come off, but finally got all that removed, unbolted the dash and got it out, thinking for sure I can find the squeak, or at least lube and tighten everything as I put it back together. Then I took a look at the vents in the HVAC box... yikes. The rubber part of the flaps looks like it's melted/coated in tar, all soft and gooey. WTF can do this? I can't find any way to fix this and I'm figuring that if the ones I can see are like this the internal flaps are probably just as bad or worse. Soooo looks like I'm replacing the HVAC box. With all the work required to get at it I can't see not replacing the heater core and ac evaporator, and if I'm doing those may as well do the heater hoses too. Well crap, that squeak just turned into a bigger job than the entire rear subframe. Wish me luck brothers, I'm off down the rabbit hole to wonderland.
Last edited by 3PedalJake; 10-18-2024 at 04:44 PM.. |
10-18-2024, 10:18 PM | #2 | |
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10-18-2024, 11:05 PM | #3 | |
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10-20-2024, 02:43 PM | #4 |
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Lots of work! I have a creak that is coming from the A pillar every time the chassis flexes. It amplifies off the windshield and is the most annoying thing I've ever experienced. I've removed everything except the dash trying to find it but cannot. Tempted to just shove a bunch of foam in between the dash and windshield, and between the dash and A pillar to dampen the noise.
If you are able to find and fix it you might convince me to pull my dash as well! |
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StradaRedlands6410.00 3PedalJake3296.50 |
10-22-2024, 10:06 PM | #5 | |
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10-23-2024, 07:24 AM | #6 |
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Not a BMW in the video but here is some humor to get you through the ordeal. lol
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10-23-2024, 06:47 PM | #7 |
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I thought I was crazy - woa good idea to replace any a/c stuff in there that's for sure! Jake you must just love being with this car! My wife sometimes teases me about my 2 bmw obsessions. It is addictive when you fix things and even make them better than before - I guess this goes to show that!
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3PedalJake3296.50 Mike K384.50 |
10-23-2024, 09:49 PM | #8 |
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10-23-2024, 09:55 PM | #9 | |
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10-27-2024, 10:09 PM | #10 |
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Well always wondered what it looked like on the firewall with everything removed, but not enough to take it apart. Now I know, got the HVAC box out today and new one should be here this week sometime. I need to take all the motors and wiring and other assorted parts off it to swap over, hopefully it will be simple but yeah lol to that. Now I know why lotta shops don't do HVAC and the ones that do make you bend over and spread em for it.
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10-28-2024, 08:05 AM | #11 | |
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10-28-2024, 09:23 AM | #12 |
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10-28-2024, 09:26 AM | #13 | |
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10-28-2024, 09:11 PM | #14 | |
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Yesterday, 10:39 PM | #15 | |
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Seriously, if this was any kind of "just transportation" car I'd either junk it or live with wherever the heat wanted to come out, only for my bimmer babies would I do this job from hell. Last edited by 3PedalJake; Yesterday at 10:57 PM.. |
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Yesterday, 10:49 PM | #16 | |
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Today the new HVAC cabinet arrived, it's just the box and flaps. I thought the gaskets would be on it but no, that's separate so have them on order with local dealer. Tomorrow I have to transfer over the blower box, the electric flap actuators (there's 8 of them) and install the new heater core and ac evaporator, wish me luck. |
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StradaRedlands6410.00 DBShiznit338.00 |
Today, 07:52 AM | #17 |
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I tell you what, I bet the heat and A/C will feel nice when it is all done and you get no odors. Can you throw in some pics of the evaporator and heater exchanger? I'm curious to see what mine looks like without taking it apart LOL
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Today, 12:55 PM | #18 |
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It's always nice to have brand new stuff, be glad when it's there lol. Here's pics, on the left is evaporator, right is heater core. The cabinet and these cores are Denso, the cars also shipped with Valeo units which are slightly different.
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Today, 03:50 PM | #20 | |
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Today, 06:17 PM | #21 |
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I fear having to replace my heater core, but suspect that i will some day.
The key to doing what you're doing is (I feel) that this is not a daily driver or car that you have to have back on the road shortly. I've done exactly this same process on my hobby car (a Volvo 240), but can't wrap my head around doing it to the E91. Unless of course it was the time of year when I might take the E91 off the road for a month and drive the Volvo. But still...scary stuff. Respect to you! |
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Today, 06:54 PM | #22 | |
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