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

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More "for fixin'" my X5 but I was removing all the rattles from my new aluminum 2T floor jack when I noticed how crappy the main wheels were made: the hole through the middle was a cone shape.

Had my brother cut an inset into the hub of the wheel where I could add a 1/2 x 3/4 with 1" flange bronze bushing.

Now the wheels actually use the entire width vs push a dent into the asphalt as they lean 4°

As a bonus, I put o-rings bewteen every touching piece of metal so I can bring the thing with me without going insane.

(Tapping metal is a huge trigger for my misophonia). I came close to throwing it out the window on my last trip home.

The gray is JB Weld to fill the conical space from the unmachined cast iron (the inner hole went from about 19 to 21mm!)

Maybe it’s supposed to be that way? I mean any idiot with a drill press can make a straight hole, a conical one takes effort. Maybe they are supposed to flex and lock when conical? I dunno. Just shooting the shit.

Shouldn't have to block off the fans but if that is necessary consider an electric fan. I installed one several years ago for performance benefits. I set the variable thermostat so that the fan comes on just before the aux fan does which means the aux fan seldom runs. Aftermarket fan generates far more CFM than mechanical fan and it runs when the engine is off until the engine drops and stays below thermostat setting thus preventing any heat soak.

Its die cast. The mold was conical so it will release and the moron engineers decided to skip the drill out and make a cylinder step.


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Bought it's replacement. 4.8iS has to go now!

Other than when my t-stat was broken open I didn't "need" to block the fan but it helps how quickly the car heats up. I like the idea of switching to two electric fans but I also like the idea of just taking off the mechanical fan for a couple months in the winter.

I can't be sure but I think the car actually runs a little cooler with the fan off. :confused:

I guess on my (short) runs to work, the fan never contributed much cooling but as it wasn't driven, it did "block" airflow through the radiator somewhat. Without it in place, air flow is unimpeded and I swear it runs a few degrees cooler. :rolleyes:

Still looking at electric alternatives. I want a variable fan though, not just on/off.

Swap my Xenon headlights today. the original ones were very faded. they probably could be saved but I got a nice set for cheap.



Anyone needs a set? from a pre-facelift 2003

Upper windshield trim thing. Mine literally crumbled in my hands. More of a pain in the ass than I anticipated.

Advice. Lots of soap and water in a spray bottle. Lots.

1/8” overlap on each end under the vertical trim.

1/2” thick wood block, and a mini rubber mallet. Push in both ends. Keep going toward middle. Middle I got stuck. Could be cause I just didn’t have the leverage. Block of wood against the trim. Couple of love taps with a mini mallet, and it will pop in.

Pulling it out is easy. Pull back vertical trim. Grab pliers and pull toward sunroof and up.

I used pain thinner and compressed air to clean out the area.

Oh yeah, what did you get?


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