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

[andrewwynn]

1. Replace Alternator (which was just replaced in July)
2. Removed left front CV axle
3. Removed left front bearing
4. Installed new bearing
5. Installed new CV axle
6. Installed hub
7. New front rotors
8. New front brake pads
9. Test drive
10. New alternator fails
11. limp home with trans failsafe
12. Stop and restart car an hour later to hopefully reset trans because driving up a steep driveway in 4th gear is horrible
13. Success: car in garage
14. Exchange 20 minute old Alternator: swap back from Bosch which failed twice in six months back to Valeo which lasted 20 years
15. Test drive to wear in brakes and test new new alternator. Success
16. Reinstall rearview mirror which I knocked off with my head a month ago
17. Reset SES light set from me starting to test alternator while MAF wasn't plugged in.

Oh and not exactly car related but sorta: since my car "barfs" all my beautiful red power tools while working they were overdue for a cleaning.







Before, after and how. That stuff is incredible. I used a stiff paintbrush to scrub and paper towels to wipe off the grease.

I spent less than a minute. I love this stuff.

[andrewwynn]

Originally Posted by Overboost

So a quick follow-up. I had saved the freeze frame and cleared the code when we got home. Popped back up in less than 2 minutes the next time I drove it. I checked my log book and the thermostat was purchased at the dealer just over 2 years ago. I thought it couldn't have failed so fast so I went out and pulled the intake center shroud to have a look at the thermostat wiring and connector.



Wiring looked fine, no exposed or cut wires. Disconnected the thermostat connector and looked at the terminals. They looked spread to the point that no way it could make contact on the pins of the thermostat housing. I tightened the gap on the terminals by gently prying them inward with a small pick and reinstalled the connector. No CEL in 3 days.



Not claiming victory yet but time will tell. After 17 years, one cannot expect the integrity of the factory loom and connectors to not be compromised with age and heat. Fingers crossed...

This is exactly what xo is for.

I did similar when hooking up my new, new alternator. Noticed the pin sockets were not very tight so exactly like @Overboost described, I pushed the pin socket contacts toward the middle to reset the spring life.

[richardb]

Not doing any work outside at the moment... too cold here in Connecticut. Thinking back on warmer days this summer, enjoy

https://youtu.be/Rn6fEjPcXzk

[EODguy]

Installed new 6k lights, igniters and waiting on new HiD driving lights.

Then on the way home from work hit a steering wheel adjuster so picked up new struts for later this week.

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[Purplecty]

Originally Posted by EODguy

Installed new 6k lights, igniters and waiting on new HiD driving lights.

Then on the way home from work hit a steering wheel adjuster so picked up new struts for later this week.

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What brand are those struts your purchased?

[EODguy]

Blau struts.

We'll see if they hold up to the daily episodes of The Dukes of Hamas over here....

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[crystalworks]

Originally Posted by EODguy

We'll see if they hold up to the daily episodes of The Dukes of Hamas over here....

EOD, your whit is an American treasure.

BTW, what was the "steering wheel adjuster" you hit in order to require new struts? Blow a seal?

[andrewwynn]

Could have been an expansion joint if he accidentally stuck car in Zamboni mode

[EODguy]

Originally Posted by crystalworks

EOD, your whit is an American treasure.



BTW, what was the "steering wheel adjuster" you hit in order to require new struts? Blow a seal?

I hit a section of highway that had just had scarification done and dropped 4" and then raised about 2" where they stopped 25' later at 90kph. I then got crazy wheel hop on any bump larger than a tic-tac at speed or hard acceleration.

Just to clarify....

I didn't blow a seal, I just ate ice cream....

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[EODguy]

Originally Posted by andrewwynn

Could have been an expansion joint if he accidentally stuck car in Zamboni mode

C'mon Andrew, I still catch hell over that from the wife. Not that I'd say anything to her since I enjoy food, sex and know better than to piss off the ginsu chef she seems to be!!

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