on the way to Hendrick BMW to pick up my $156 carrier, i got to thinking about tonycajjo's post. incidentally, i think the way Hendrick funds the NASCAR team is through the retail parts counter. everything is almost exactly BMW list PLUS 30%.

anyway, i didn't have any piano wire, but i DID have some Magical Harbor Freight Safety wire and a super high quality Harbor Freight safety wire twister!

Step 1) observe PATHETIC design, misuse of resources, brainiacs missing the forest for the trees.



2) Carefully drill two small holes through and through



3) thread HF safety wire




4) twist with fervor and abandon



5) test unit. observe handywork



6) observe handywork again. shoot bird to dealer next time pass by.




7) repeat process in 12 months!


kidding. i don't know if i will have to repeat or not. it works like new. over 50% of the project time was spent trying to get the STUPID hex bolt back in for the door lock thing. complete hell. i think i finally cross threaded it.

seriously this DID save me probably $400 at the dealer. i was pretty proud of myself...even though i might be crying here soon. but i think it'll hold for quite a while. i took the time to dynamat the door too. it's SUPER solid in there now.

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2005 X5 3.0i - 71k mi (9.2018) -> 81k (9.19) -> 100k 9.21 -> 123k (8.25)
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SOLD : ( 2003 X5 3.0 - 177k mi (9.2018) -> 186k (9.19) -> 205k (9.21)
SOLD : ( 1997 328is Coupe - Hellrot Red
SOLD : ( 1988 528e w/ Bullseye s256 / MS2 Extra / GC Coilovers / Yukon Coils ~ 300+ HP