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

[spadge]

@upallnight: in this case I would get the rear one if it will be only 40 bucks - so it will match perfectly

What about the doorboards of the donor, where they black or grey?

[X53Jay4.8is]

Originally Posted by spadge

@upallnight: in this case I would get the rear one if it will be only 40 bucks - so it will match perfectly

What about the doorboards of the donor, where they black or grey?

Yeah I would agree that at $40 its a no brainer. At least the seats would look consistent.

[Scott ZHP]

As much as it pains me to admit this, a trip to the dealer is forthcoming. Been chasing a front end noise and haven't been able to diagnose it. Hasn't helped that I've been travelling for the last month or so and wrenching time is tight. Slow speed L+R turns, like a 5mph figure 8 and it clunks like crazy.

I'm learning toward the steering shaft u-joint. Any bets on what that replacement is going to run? I told my wife it's probably a $1500 dealer fix (the part is $320ish online), figure $500 with dealer markup and 6hrs labor, plus an alignment. I have an 01, and the double joint is NLA, so I have to use the upper shaft and the joint from an 02+. Apparently the one I have is a square fitting for the ujoint to shaft, the newer version is a hex. Dealer is probably going to tell me the entire rack is bad, lol.

To recap, all front suspension bits are new (Lemforder), including the outer tierod ends/boots. CV axles have maybe 500miles on them. Everything was torqued to spec with the suspension preloaded. Dealer did a 4whl alignment and it was perfect for a few months. Someone mentioned strut bearings... struts are original but don't seem to have any play when I grab them and try and push/pull as hard as humanly possible with wheel removed; not sure how else to check the bush/bearing without disassembly.

Daughter turns 16 in October, and she'll learn to drive on this like one, like her brother did a couple of years ago. I don't want to spook her with any funny noises.

Wish me luck...

[4.8iS Le Mans_NZ]

Steering joint noise is common on other BMW models of the era.
Re-torquing u-joint clamp bolts often cures it.

[Scott ZHP]

Originally Posted by 4.8iS Le Mans_NZ

Steering joint noise is common on other BMW models of the era.
Re-torquing u-joint clamp bolts often cures it.

Thanks; tried that, top and bottom. Also squirted it with some Tri-flow/Teflon lube.

I'll check again though.

[bcredliner]

Loose sway bar bushings or links will make lots of noise when turning.

[Scott ZHP]

Originally Posted by bcredliner

Loose sway bar bushings or links will make lots of noise when turning.

Links are new and tight. Bushings are original though @155k, I'll have a look at those, they're cheap enough to replace.

[bcredliner]

You should be able to feel steering wheel noise in your hands.

[Scott ZHP]

Originally Posted by bcredliner

You should be able to feel steering wheel noise in your hands.

The steering doesn't feel "rough", or what I'd call notchy. I'll see if I can isolate the noise and determine if its occurring when steering lock to lock in parked/static mode or only when moving.

[richardb]