Xoutpost.com - What did you do to / for your E53 today??

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Quote:

Originally Posted by EODguy (Post 1203901)

I haven't had to pull my transmission (knock on wood) but I will say that the exhaust is heavier and more unwieldy than you think!! I almost got a new part in my hair when I pulled mine off while on a lift.....[emoji28]

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I use floor jack to lower exhaust when car is on stands. Yes heavy.

"It's made of iron I assure you it will sink"

Quote:

Originally Posted by andrewwynn (Post 1203906)

I use floor jack to lower exhaust when car is on stands. Yes heavy.

"It's made of iron I assure you it will sink"

I had it on the lift so I used a Jamal stand, but he was way too short to help truth be told...[emoji1787]

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Is Jamal anything like my hired help I call Manuel labor? (S. O. B. Helper).

Quote:

Originally Posted by TriX5 (Post 1203897)

On the E53 V8 it can be done single-handedly but a helper makes it less annoying to lift the exhaust out of the way and when splitting the trans from the engine.

You need lift or a flat surface where you can raise the car at least a foot off the ground. Remember, the car will there immobilized for a few days or even weeks depending on what it is you need to do.

Some of the bell housing bolts are not so easy to access. You will need some long extensions for your socket set and knuckles or flex joints. Removing the exhaust maybe an issue as the studs in the manifold can be brittle and the bolts joining front to rear can seize. (Make sure you get a MAP gas burner to assist wit rusty fasteners)

A transmission jack is helpful but I did mine without one. The two top bell housing bolts are easier to access from the top. At the time I did the valley pan at the same time, so a lot of stuff was off the top of the motor already. Not impossible to tackle a trans removal but patience and a more than a handful of tools is needed. When I went for round two (re-seal engine and chain guides) I just removed the front end and pulled the engine/trans out in one go.

I'd rate it a 6 or 7 on scale 10. Time is more the issue than complexity.

Thanks for the tips. Not urgent but I'm having a slow leak at # 5 when the vehicle is packed for a couple of days. I find a drop or two of coolant on the floor and I traced it to that part. I could take the opportunity to service the trans too as I was also planning trans fluid and filter change as well as the seals and solenoids. I already did the coolant pipe and valley pan gasket. Might as well replace # 7 while there. Sigh, never ending projects but I'll do anything for her :D.

Got the infamous "SELF-LEVELING SUSP INACTIVE" dash message. Replaced rear airbags + ride height sensors.

Tips-

At 130k, the original bags were not in good shape. Even if they didn't leak I would replace. Picture says it all.

Arnotts version of the bags are great quality, don't hesitate to use them.

The "C" clips that came with the Arnotts bags weren't great. They seemed inferior to the original BMW clips. I re-used the BMW ones.

Stabbing the old airbags to release the air was easy.

I replaced the ride height sensors too. I wish they came with new connecting arms. The original ones were rusty and didn't move freely. Silicone lube helped a bit.

Overall this was a very simple job.

The sensor arms are about $7/10 at fcpeuro.

I came up to wife's new to us e70 today and the right rear air spring was flat.

It airs right up when turned on the car but already have arnott spring ordered.

Tight budget just spent a ton on new toolboxes and entire rear suspension kit for my car so I'll do her air springs one at a time but will get the other done before a road trip this summer.

Mine are still working at 196k miles! Hers just failed at 76.

https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/202...59d3b80d7c.jpg

Picked up my new Milwaukeee packout tool boxes.

https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/202...c3edbe627f.jpg

Mind blowing difference

Wow nice!

What's the big "A" for on the back window there?

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bdc101 (Post 1203941)

Wow nice!

What's the big "A" for on the back window there?

I am betting that Andrew now has so many BMW's he's had to label them for inventory purposes. [emoji1787]

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Nice boxes! Expanding your mobile capabilities? Or just making your life easier? Edit: probably both now that I think about it. :thumbup: