What did you do to / for your E53 today??

[Ryoken]

took the shed up for a checkup, getting a knock from the rear end , integral link and bush, both sides. joy, then diagnosed Ps pump failure, and leaking pump to ps rack hose
and then to top it off I'm getting a rumble and a rattle from the left side, suspected vanos !
if you place your hands on the rockers you can feel one rumbling a bit more than the other, (this noise has started since I put Castrol edge 0-30 , I think going to thicker oil might quieten it down a tad

oh and I washed it , which made it look nice

[LVR]

Sorted some EPIC transmission slam. It had the 2-1 down shift clunk, the lurch at stop, the BANG when accelerating from a rolling stop, the 24 hour delay between selecting drive after being in reverse, the incline SLAM kick down when going up a hill, the laaaazy change between 3rd and 4th, the general reluctance to kick down. Got quoted $3,500 to rebuild the tranny so

yeah...nah..

Bought the seals and opted for geniune ZF solenoids and had my indi install it all. Now she drives like a BRAND NEW CAR!!! Smooth acceleration, gentle down shifts, correct and crisp kick down on even light throttle. $450 for the solenoids, about $60 for all the seals, $400 labour and all good.

We found some wild clutch pressure variations on ISTA between the gears before doing the job so looking into whether that might be something people could explore as a diagnostic measure for the trans slam...

Got quoted $2,500 to to the rear control arms and ball joints. The old ball joints were squeaking badly and loose to touch. Had a bit of a fail with the improper tool for the ball joints which slowed me down so now I'm the proud owner of a $200 version of the BAUM tool () but that's ok as I'm sure it won't be the last time I do this type of job... parts cost was approx $360 so still well ahead... Haven't had the wheel alignment yet but already the camber has improved by about 3/4 inch



Feeling pretty good with the conclusion of it all.... until the wife parks it at a friends house and some PR^%K smashes driver side the mirror on the way past... oh well... another job for the weekend...

[Overboost]

Originally Posted by LVR

Ouch!

[Bdc101]

Originally Posted by LVR

Sorted some EPIC transmission slam. It had the 2-1 down shift clunk, the lurch at stop, the BANG when accelerating from a rolling stop, the 24 hour delay between selecting drive after being in reverse, the incline SLAM kick down when going up a hill, the laaaazy change between 3rd and 4th, the general reluctance to kick down. Got quoted $3,500 to rebuild the tranny so

yeah...nah..

Bought the seals and opted for geniune ZF solenoids and had my indi install it all. Now she drives like a BRAND NEW CAR!!! Smooth acceleration, gentle down shifts, correct and crisp kick down on even light throttle. $450 for the solenoids, about $60 for all the seals, $400 labour and all good.

We found some wild clutch pressure variations on ISTA between the gears before doing the job so looking into whether that might be something people could explore as a diagnostic measure for the trans slam...

It just drives me nuts how nobody knows how transmissions work or how to fix them. 99/100 people (mechanics included) in this scenario would have given up and just replaced the trans. Meanwhile you and your indy took a chance and fixed it for $900.



Good work! E53s frequently get sent to the junkyard and written off for less.

[snik]

This is true. I think it's BMWs fault. They don't fix shit. They just swap them out. So I think that creates the stigma like they're unserviceable.
Just gotta find a ZF specialist.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[StephenVA]

+1 Remove and replace has become the solution to any large (and sometimes small) components/assemblies that have a fault code.

[Emory39]

An oil change and inspection 1 done today a good cleaning. She is all ready for the 906miles trip next week.

[LVR]

Originally Posted by Bdc101

It just drives me nuts how nobody knows how transmissions work or how to fix them. 99/100 people (mechanics included) in this scenario would have given up and just replaced the trans. Meanwhile you and your indy took a chance and fixed it for $900.
Good work! E53s frequently get sent to the junkyard and written off for less.

Cheers mate. I bought it cheap as a beater to use as a work truck (put my tools in etc) but I've grown to rank it as my second best car of all time, so really have no issues taking the time to fix it up.

It suffered from neglect and I've still got to figure out the squeaky seat and groaning door hinge but then its' almost the way I want it and pretty well sorted.

[LVR]

Originally Posted by snik

This is true. I think it's BMWs fault. They don't fix shit. They just swap them out. So I think that creates the stigma like they're unserviceable.
Just gotta find a ZF specialist.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

I agree. I put in an offer on a 4.8is interstate and the guy was banging on about how he spent $1000's on the gearbox, suspension etc... he'd had enough and that was why he was selling it...

[X5only]

Originally Posted by LVR

Sorted some EPIC transmission slam. It had the 2-1 down shift clunk, the lurch at stop, the BANG when accelerating from a rolling stop, the 24 hour delay between selecting drive after being in reverse, the incline SLAM kick down when going up a hill, the laaaazy change between 3rd and 4th, the general reluctance to kick down. Got quoted $3,500 to rebuild the tranny so

yeah...nah..

Bought the seals and opted for geniune ZF solenoids and had my indi install it all. Now she drives like a BRAND NEW CAR!!! Smooth acceleration, gentle down shifts, correct and crisp kick down on even light throttle. $450 for the solenoids, about $60 for all the seals, $400 labour and all good.

We found some wild clutch pressure variations on ISTA between the gears before doing the job so looking into whether that might be something people could explore as a diagnostic measure for the trans slam...

Got quoted $2,500 to to the rear control arms and ball joints. The old ball joints were squeaking badly and loose to touch. Had a bit of a fail with the improper tool for the ball joints which slowed me down so now I'm the proud owner of a $200 version of the BAUM tool () but that's ok as I'm sure it won't be the last time I do this type of job... parts cost was approx $360 so still well ahead... Haven't had the wheel alignment yet but already the camber has improved by about 3/4 inch



Feeling pretty good with the conclusion of it all.... until the wife parks it at a friends house and some PR^%K smashes driver side the mirror on the way past... oh well... another job for the weekend...

Where did you buy the solenoids from?