[Efthreeoh]

Originally Posted by Dirtleg

Today I dropped the exhaust and removed the driveshaft.

I have never seen such badly rusted exhaust nut/studs in my entire lifetime. Working on cars almost 40 years so far. These were without a doubt the worst.
Never even tried to remove them. Just cut them off at the connection near the cats. The 2 upper were a pain as access is limited. Much time with a die grinder and they were mostly gone.

Also I forgot the number 1 BMW disassembly rule for bolts with poor access. Never use an impact. Even a 1/4 drive impact. Rear exhaust hanger bolt broke the nut loose from the retainer and just spun. Had to pull the hanger bushing off the muffler bracket. Guess I'll have to figure out how to get this sorted now too. It came loose before locking up so I may be able to get a sawzall blade on the center of the bolt between the body and hanger. That would be fairly easy if it works out.

Once everything was cutoff/unbolted, moving the muffler side to side caused it to come loose of the rusty nubs left on the cats and drop freely.

Driveshaft came off easily enough except for the centering hub at the differential flange was a little stuck.

My intention was to replace the guibo, center bearing and of course the exhaust hardware and gaskets but it seems the rear u-joint on the driveshaft is crunchy feeling in one spot.

Doesn't look like they made it serviceable. So I am guessing a new driveshaft will be needed. Please correct me if I am wrong.

Any specific place do a better job with the e90 driveshaft than others?

Second lowrydr310 recommendation of Driveshaft Specialists of Texas. I replaced my driveshaft with one of their rebuilt units 5 years ago. It's been in for some 120,000 miles now. Perfect.

Runout spec on the E90 u-joint is .003 inches IIRC. Don't screw with it, just get a new rebuilt driveshaft. Driveshaft Specialists of Texas makes it very easy. The new unit comes in a prepaid return shipping container.

[Dirtleg]

Originally Posted by Efthreeoh

Second lowrydr310 recommendation of Driveshaft Specialists of Texas. I replaced my driveshaft with one of their rebuilt units 5 years ago. It's been in for some 120,000 miles now. Perfect.

Runout spec on the E90 u-joint is .003 inches IIRC. Don't screw with it, just get a new rebuilt driveshaft. Driveshaft Specialists of Texas makes it very easy. The new unit comes in a prepaid return shipping container.

Thanks for the second opinion.

This whole repair has been a "going to have to get to this soon" situation that finally got some attention. Driveshaft started making itself noticeable between 50-60 a while back. Now it was noticeable about 40. Was a rapid change from 50 to 40 so it's time.

Car was on it's original driveshaft. 170k+ miles. Original flex disc too I believe. Bolt heads had no wrench marks on them at all.

I'll be calling them today to get one on order.

Edit. No go on Driveshaft Specialist. They can't get me one until Mid January, which by then I'll be out of town so it would be February before I could even install it. Going to have to find a different option sadly.

[E93Seattle (Racerbruce)]

Originally Posted by lowrydr310

I just replaced my 4/07 AGM battery in my E93 a few months ago, it finally died. Rear location away from the engine heat and an "intelligent" charging profile likely contributed to that longevity.

thank you lowry,
please expound on the intelligent chargine profile; is this something you introduced via software programming or??

[johnnyorange]

Last week driving my 09 e91 I was presented with the 'TPMS INACTIVE' message that peppers the dash with persistent, stressful, warnings.

I've been running the original tpms sensors since it rolled off assembly in Sept of 08, so its high time that at least 1 needs replacement...OR it could be more sinister.

poring over posts, I saw a thoughtful thread to confirm connector fidelity to the rdc system in the rear.

Removed the cover and carpet to reveal the holder for the rdc just forward of the starboard taillight. Disconnecting it I found a fair amount of oxidation on not only the rdc pin bed but also the connector itself, both of which I cleaned with IPA and deoxit.

After doing that, I was able to scan and determine that the front/port tpms sensor had failed.

that did not fix it however, and a visit to the tire dudes was warranted to rotate the tires/wheels and replace the tpms sensor in the forward/port wheel.

I actually already carried a tpms sensor in the trunk as I also carry the tire goop to refill a flat tire (which destroys tpms sensors apparently) as I am a sucker to be prepared.

when doing the replacement at tire dudes they found a nail in another tire which they patched.

after 40 bucks to tire dudes and a clearing of the codes and tpms is rockin again.

most importantly, no orange triangle or blinking icons next to the tach

[RealJ22]

I’ll have a bunch of random small updates combined on my build thread. I would rather post a bunch into one, rather than a bunch of posts. From now on I will try and be more consistent with that,

I did a small project on my daily wing. The part was a alibaba / eBay carbon wing which had all sorts of problems and was refunded. It did not have any mounting spots or cuts in it and it was not even fully cured when it arrived. My friend ended up just giving it to me for my care because he already has the F sport one.

The paint was Tesla pearl so it is not exact. I needed a good “base” because of how haggard it was.

Not too shabby for just over 207k miles.





[url=https://poetandpoem.com/brother]

[Cal122]

Replaced the blown out halo bulb on my Pre-LCI Xenon's from above the engine bay. Yes, it's possible if you have the right size flat head screwdrivers, T15 and tons of patience. The entire time you'll knock into the wheel liner and ask yourself why you didn't wait until you had a lift available and could remove the wheel liner and wheel to do this job in half the time.

On other car, I've now joined the wet footwell club after torrential rain storms in the area. The fact that the previous owner didn't install the lower windshield molding so the cowl is sealed properly, which under certain circumstances will allow water in through the blower motor, has finally prioritized itself on my todo list to have the windshield pulled and properly installed. I sympathize with others on this group that have gone through this horrible experience, be it clogged sunroof drains, door vapor barriers or improperly installed windshields that can let water in. If you thought you dried your carpeting and after a while water reappears when pushing on carpet, yup you need to pull all of your carpeting and be ready with a wet vac. Busy weekend ahead.

[Efthreeoh]

Originally Posted by Dirtleg

Thanks for the second opinion.

This whole repair has been a "going to have to get to this soon" situation that finally got some attention. Driveshaft started making itself noticeable between 50-60 a while back. Now it was noticeable about 40. Was a rapid change from 50 to 40 so it's time.

Car was on it's original driveshaft. 170k+ miles. Original flex disc too I believe. Bolt heads had no wrench marks on them at all.

I'll be calling them today to get one on order.

Edit. No go on Driveshaft Specialist. They can't get me one until Mid January, which by then I'll be out of town so it would be February before I could even install it. Going to have to find a different option sadly.

I checked at Bimmerworld. They have new driveshafts for the 328i. Bimmerworld is located in Dublin, VA (south of Roanoke), so maybe they can ship it quickly to you. Not sure what version of the driveshaft you need. Link is for an E90 manual trans.

https://www.bimmerworld.com/Powertra...8i-RWD-MT.html

[Dirtleg]

Originally Posted by Efthreeoh

I checked at Bimmerworld. They have new driveshafts for the 328i. Bimmerworld is located in Dublin, VA (south of Roanoke), so maybe they can ship it quickly to you. Not sure what version of the driveshaft you need. Link is for an E90 manual trans.

https://www.bimmerworld.com/Powertra...8i-RWD-MT.html

Thanks for the link. They are about 45 minutes from me (North end of Roanoke/Cloverdale). I already grabbed a driveshaft at O'Reilly yesterday. Hated to do it but I have limited time (today) to get this done.

But in the future it's nice to know there is a semi-local source for decent parts.

[Cpet]

Picked it up after (hopefully) the largest repair bill I've ever had. Oil pan gasket, motor mounts, tie rods, and a set of tires. Ditched the run flats for Pilot Sport all seasons. Only drove it home in the rain, but couldn't believe just how fantastic it rode on the Michelins. Once it dries up, I'll need to test out their handling abilities.

[Efthreeoh]

Originally Posted by Cpet

Picked it up after (hopefully) the largest repair bill I've ever had. Oil pan gasket, motor mounts, tie rods, and a set of tires. Ditched the run flats for Pilot Sport all seasons. Only drove it home in the rain, but couldn't believe just how fantastic it rode on the Michelins. Once it dries up, I'll need to test out their handling abilities.

The Michies PS AS4 are what I run on my BMWs, they are excellent tires. Just get a few hundred miles on them to let the mold release wear off the tread.

[StradaRedlands]

When I began looking at E90s, the first one I test drove had run flats. It was awful and I almost gave up on the entire line of cars! But then I tried another one that had regular tires, and it was so great, I immediately started the full-scale hunt!

Interestingly, the new E91 has 16" Bridgestone Driveguard run flats, and they're really not that bad. Not like that first car anyway. Maybe having more sidewall helps out some?

[oVeRdOsE.]

few hours today.

- suspension done
- brake line installed.
- wiring done
- headlight in.
- mac

- I was about to bleed the brakes, but the clutch line pop out, I had so hard time to put it back (xdrive), it pissed me so off, the moment it was back, I took a break for the day.

in 4-5 hours of work, and it's good to be on the road.

[Dirtleg]

It was yesterday but I got the driveshaft installed.

Oddly enough the u-joints in the aftermarket shaft are replaceable.
I ditched the supplied guibo and used the one I bought from FCP. No play in any of the splines but I wasn't impressed with seal there. We'll see if it lasts for any length of time.

Finished removing the cut off studs from the cats. Those things were a bear. Probably spent a total of 3 hours between grinding what was left of the nuts off, and getting those out.

The next thing was removing the stripped bolt on the rear exhaust hanger. I was able to cut the bolt off easily enough with a cutoff wheel on an angle grinder. It was at that point I realized that the captive nut was a round insert crimped into the body hanger. The entire insert had spun. There was no way to get any kind of a tool in to where the captive nut is.

So I drilled though the bolt. The insert spun but then caught on something and I was able to continue drilling. Once I got to a 1/4 inch bit I switched to a die grinder with a recessed ball tip on it. I was able to grind off the part of the bolt that stuck out of the top of the insert nut from inside the bolt leaving the flat top of the captive nut there. Then I was able to use a bolt from the bottom through the hole I had drilled with a nut inside the body hanger bracket, on top of the captive nut to bolt the exhaust hanger on.

Hope that description isn't too confusing. I'll just say it was a pain in the ass.

So anyway the car is now smooth on the road at speeds up to 70 so far. Haven't been any higher yet. But expect no difference.

Oh and replacing the exhaust flange studs with bolts is the way to go IMO. Would have made this a much quicker job even if I'd have had to cut them off too.

[tcphoto]

I built a new storage box that I bought from Home Depot, I will empty the trunk of tool bag, detailing bag and other items before dropping the car off to have the failing clear coat fixed Tuesday morning. It should look like a garage queen when it's finished and even better when the VMR v703's arrive in the spring.

[Greyfox]

Started my into the maintenance I have planned over the next two weeks. Pulled the covers and beauty trim off the engine. Very happily surprised that the oil seepage I thought was the valve cover is not... it's the seal under the oil cap getting old. Pulled the coils and no oil... seriously happy at this point. Will replace the plugs and coils and continue on with transmission filter and fluid. And then if I dare... replace the steering wheel.

[RealJ22]

Color match stripe and clear ob the spoiler. Drove around town for about 20 minutes then started to head across town. Got a gearbox malfunction and brought it home. I’ll have to start diagnosing next week. Did the solenoids / filter / fluid / seals not too long ago. 5th feels like it was acting up the last few times driving. This might be my “excuse” for the 8hp swap.

[colorado.e9x]

Finally got around to replacing the front struts and serpentine belt kit on blue. Using my old B12 prokit from the 330, it’s finally sitting nice now. The taller sidewalls definitely help close the gap compared to the 330s old wheel setup. And no more failing pulley squeal

[RealJ22]

Put it on quick. Have to wet sand it first. Going to wait a bit. I love it.

[Greyfox]

Plugs and coils done.

The plugs aren't that old and I'm concerned now that I might have gotten a counterfeit batch. Watched and read a bit about it and seems the electrode being curved instead of straight and then bent is a tell tale sign.

[lordnikon]

Originally Posted by Greyfox

Plugs and coils done.

The plugs aren't that old and I'm concerned now that I might have gotten a counterfeit batch. Watched and read a bit about it and seems the electrode being curved instead of straight and then bent is a tell tale sign.

The new NGKs are counterfeit?

[Hoody007]

Amber signals installed! There’s a subtle difference between the US and Euro taillights’ lens cover. Love the safety aspect and the fact that now all corners of the car blink the same color.

[Mosaud1998]

Didn't do anything to my E90 since I sold it last year. But.... I am looking to get back into the E90 platform. I bought a Toyota Camry to use for the winter. Might be able to sell it for a $1200 profit.

Found a 2009 BMW 328 in Wisconsin. Cars got 110k miles. The owner has had the car since 2012. OFHG replaced, VCG replaced, Water pump replaced. OPG is not leaking per BMW dealership. The owner is asking $5k.