Awesome info on the transmission throughout this thread, Phil!

Nice looking weld on the TC rebuild.

I am really enjoying your thread, Stunt. Makes my Inspection II + shocks + thrust arm bushings + F. sway bar bushings work ahead of me seem like child's play.

Still waiting on the big shipment of parts. I'll contact Craig tomorrow to get an ETA.

I got the upper oil pan cleaned up. That was a bit of a pain. Don't worry, it's cleaner than it looks in this shot with the shadows. :D

http://www.cstone.net/~dk/x5_4_8_01.JPG

Also got the 2nd Vanos seal installed. All that's left to do is to press the Vanos seal on both of them. I couldn't find any synthetic graphite grease, but did pick up some regular graphite grease for the bolt on the Vanos press. Hopefully that will suffice?

Email Craig and get the tracking number. I can't see it taking so long to get from NJ to VA. Maybe something is holding up the order, in which case you should tell him to ship what he has right now, and the rest later.

Yeah, there are still quite a few pieces that have not come in yet. I told him to give it until the end of the week and then ship everything that has come it at that time. Hopefully it will be close to everything by then.

Wife and 2 daughters (youngest 20 month, oldest having her 3 year birthday this weekend) are thankful I'm taking a breaking from being down in the shop every night, so it's all working out with the parts not being here until next week sometime. ;)

Speaking of which, here are a few shots of the little rascals.

http://www.cstone.net/~dk/girls01.JPG

http://www.cstone.net/~dk/girls02.JPG

Those are some cuties Stunt!!!

You know they'll understand when your picking them up from high school in the mighty E53 :)

Very cute! Great ages.

Yes, they are very cute and a lot of fun most of the time.

Anyway, everything shipped today except for the following misc bolts:

07-11-9-902-601 ( 2 )
07-11-9-903-316 ( 7 )
07-11-9-903-850 ( 23 )

is that just soapy water you're using in the parts washer?

I'm using this stuff:

1 Gallon Degreaser

Not real effective. I'll probably switch to something else in the future.

Great info on the trans bell housing! Cute kids Stunt, I've got a niece around that age, lots of fun, and sponges for brains.