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

[Fifty150hs]

Originally Posted by Overboost

Replaced my front lower control arms today with the FCP Euro Meyle HD 4 piece kit. The right side was pretty straight forward once I took the brake rotor off and re-positioned the backing plate so I could get a straight shot with my sledge at the knuckle to free the outer joints.

Of all the videos I watched and threads I read, no one mentioned the left side cooling duct that obstructs the bolt from coming out to replace the arm. I had to take the lower panel off and loosen the duct enough to squeeze the bolt past it.

All in all, 7 out of 10 in difficulty. 4 hours start to finish. Shaking from high speed braking seems to be gone.

Replaced my control arm and thrust arm bushing with poly trying to cure my high speed brake shake. seems to have made the problem worse.

[Overboost]

Originally Posted by Fifty150hs

Replaced my control arm and thrust arm bushing with poly trying to cure my high speed brake shake. seems to have made the problem worse.

The large bushings in the control arm were very worn. I could see the excessive movement as I moved the upright when I was removing them. They were completely shot after 150,000 miles. The smaller arms seemed ok but still had the same amount of miles.

[NotAnyoneYouKnow]

Found out that my n62 is weeping coolant. So ordering the AGA collapsible transfer pipe. Yippie! Then, after getting her all fixed up, I can properly introduce myself.

P.S. Tried the Bimmerfix but didn't hold up. Still made the 200+ mile drive to get her to her new home, which was cheaper than towing. LOL Nothing against the Bimmerfix, in theory should be a nice fix, just didn't hold up on my end. In it's defense, I didn't allow the amount of time I would have like to let the sealant dry as I needed to make the trip back home. It says 24 hours but I would have preferred at least 48.

Either way, I would feel more comfortable with the AGA method. Seems like a true permanent fix.

[crystalworks]

Originally Posted by NotAnyoneYouKnow

Found out that my n62 is weeping coolant. So ordering the AGA collapsible transfer pipe. Yippie! Then, after getting her all fixed up, I can properly introduce myself.

P.S. Tried the Bimmerfix but didn't hold up. Still made the 200+ mile drive to get her to her new home, which was cheaper than towing. LOL Nothing against the Bimmerfix, in theory should be a nice fix, just didn't hold up on my end. In it's defense, I didn't allow the amount of time I would have like to let the sealant dry as I needed to make the trip back home. It says 24 hours but I would have preferred at least 48.

Either way, I would feel more comfortable with the AGA method. Seems like a true permanent fix.

The benefit of the AGA kit is you are guaranteed to take care of the valley pan gasket at the same time. With the Bimmerfix kit... you don't know if you have a leaky crossover pipe or a leaky valley pan gasket, or both.

[NotAnyoneYouKnow]

True, and aside from a radiator and some hoses,(which I'll probably change out at the same time) I'll at least know the cooling system is completely fresh and good for the long haul. Mpg's be damned, I plan on driving it more than the F30. Who knew the e53 was such a fun driver.

I also hope to show off my custom exhaust setup.(Not a delete of any kind either)

Fifty, please update on your vibration. I'm scratching my head on that one.

[Fifty150hs]

Originally Posted by NotAnyoneYouKnow

True, and aside from a radiator and some hoses,(which I'll probably change out at the same time) I'll at least know the cooling system is completely fresh and good for the long haul. Mpg's be damned, I plan on driving it more than the F30. Who knew the e53 was such a fun driver.

I also hope to show off my custom exhaust setup.(Not a delete of any kind either)

Fifty, please update on your vibration. I'm scratching my head on that one.

I'm changing the lower control arms tonight. I'll let you know. If that doesn't work, I'll swap back in the almost new thrust arms and see where I am.

[NotAnyoneYouKnow]

Oh, I thought the lower control arms were already replaced. That may do it. The exact same issue was corrected on my e39 with new lower control arms.

[Fifty150hs]

Originally Posted by NotAnyoneYouKnow

Oh, I thought the lower control arms were already replaced. That may do it. The exact same issue was corrected on my e39 with new lower control arms.

I put new poly bushings in both the lower control arms and the thrust arms. Shaking got worse. I think it could have to do with the design of the lower control arm poly bushings. The flanges of the bushings aren't in contact with the metal of the control arm like they are on the thrust arms. I suspect it is allowing the control arms to move.

[Fifty150hs]

Originally Posted by Fifty150hs

I put new poly bushings in both the lower control arms and the thrust arms. Shaking got worse. I think it could have to do with the design of the lower control arm poly bushings. The flanges of the bushings aren't in contact with the metal of the control arm like they are on the thrust arms. I suspect it is allowing the control arms to move.

Replaced the lower control arms that i had installed poly bushings with stock replacements. Problem solved! As suspected I think it is a bad design for these bushings. The flanges of the ply bushings for the thrust arms rest against each side of the metal arm. The bushings for the control arms only rest against one side with the other side about 1/2" away. It allows too much flex. I could flex the flange with my thumb when i took the poly bushings out.

[Overboost]

Originally Posted by Fifty150hs

Replaced the lower control arms that i had installed poly bushings with stock replacements. Problem solved! As suspected I think it is a bad design for these bushings. The flanges of the ply bushings for the thrust arms rest against each side of the metal arm. The bushings for the control arms only rest against one side with the other side about 1/2" away. It allows too much flex. I could flex the flange with my thumb when i took the poly bushings out.