View Full Version : DIY Lesson #2
(Following JST's DIY Lesson #1 - Always count your tools...)
Lesson #2- Always check the part numbers of your NEW parts before beginning a project.
Story- Yesterday I intended to replace my front brake rotors. My new rotors had been delivered weeks ago and I finally had a free block of time on a weekend. Time to do the rotors...
I jack up the car up, put the front on jackstands, remove the wheels and fight to dislodge the old rotors from the hubs (it took a couple of hours and one run to Home Depot to get them off). Everything disassembled, I get the new rotors out of the box.
THEY ARE THE WRONG ROTORS. I know I ordered the correct rotors but that's not what they sent me. They sent me rears instead of fronts (but charged me for fronts). They are a different thickness and diameter and, obviously, could not be used.
So... Thankfully I did not abuse my worn rotors too badly in getting them to break loose and *could* reinstall them.
20 minutes or so later, the car is reassembled.
3+ hours wasted. Nothing accomplished.
And now I have to go through the hassle of dealing with a mail-order return (and I forgot the paperwork at home today so I can't even call until tomorrow).
F*CK!
johnlew
09-23-2002, 06:45 AM
I think any seasoned mechanic would agree with you.
Originally posted by johnlew
I think any seasoned mechanic would agree with you.
So, as I am a hack mechanic (not THE HACK, just A hack), that's makes it okay? :dunno: :banghead:
johnlew
09-23-2002, 07:08 AM
Originally posted by TD
So, as I am a hack mechanic (not THE HACK, just A hack), that's makes it okay? :dunno: :banghead:
I'm not sure what you mean. I was saying that your lesson #1 and #2 are good and that a seasoned mechanic would agree with you having been through it one or more times.
·clyde·
09-23-2002, 07:17 AM
Originally posted by johnlew
I'm not sure what you mean. I was saying that your lesson #1 and #2 are good and that a seasoned mechanic would agree with you having been through it one or more times.
It's one of those things that you don't really learn until you've been bitten by it...sometimes more than once.
johnlew
09-23-2002, 07:28 AM
I did a DIY this weekend. There's an E39 site of tips and tricks and it had instructions on beefing up a worn drivers seat. As you may know, my E39 has 85k miles on it and was a bit saggy in the middle of the drivers seat. I took it out of the car, beefed it up with some 2 inch foam underneath, made some final crotch adjustments and now it's perfect. My wife really likes it too. The forums and info found on the internet and sites like this are invaluable.
VelvetFoot
09-23-2002, 09:59 AM
I have a tip that has worked for me. Take digital photos of the thing you are taking apart BEFORE you take it apart. Maybe even during.
Heehee, this sounds like Raffi's wrong-oil-filter incident at the last HACK-sponsored Tech Session.
He opened the bag, we noticed the o-ring contents were wrong, then noticed the filter was wrong too. Of course by this time the old filter was already removed and all the oil was drained. :tsk:
Luckily someone (I think it was operknockity) had an extra (correct) one in his car. :thumbup:
johnlew
09-23-2002, 10:09 AM
Originally posted by JPinTO
Could you post a link to the instructions for that procedure?
Go to tips and tricks section, page down to interior and look for two links, seat removal and sagging seat problem ID'd and fixed.
E39 tips (http://www.bmwtips.com)
·clyde·
09-23-2002, 10:31 AM
Originally posted by VelvetFoot
I have a tip that has worked for me. Take digital photos of the thing you are taking apart BEFORE you take it apart. Maybe even during.
This bears repeating. And its a good habit for any disassembly procedure that will require reassembly at some point, car related or not.
:thumbup:
Raffi
09-23-2002, 11:53 AM
Originally posted by Kaz
Heehee, this sounds like Raffi's wrong-oil-filter incident at the last HACK-sponsored Tech Session.
He opened the bag, we noticed the o-ring contents were wrong, then noticed the filter was wrong too. Of course by this time the old filter was already removed and all the oil was drained. :tsk:
Luckily someone (I think it was operknockity) had an extra (correct) one in his car. :thumbup:
Yup, the stealer had given me the E46 M3 oil filter... :thumbdwn: :thumbdwn:
Follow-up...
I called TC Kline Racing today (who I ordered the rotors from) and they offered to overnight the correct rotors to me and include a shipping tag to return the incorrect ones. They will charge me for the ones they are shipping and credit me for the ones I return when they receive them.
All in all, fair. And they were apologetic.
Update #2-
They next-day shipped the front rotors and I received them today. So I went ahead and installed them tonight.
Timeline- I get home from work around 7:30 pm notice the rotors arrived, change clothes and have a leisurely dinner with the family. Around 8:45 begin working on the car. Around 9:30, finish. Clean up and go test-drive the car.
Here I am at 10 pm posting. And this was my first time doing rotors.
Basically, this was easy. And, in doing the rotors, I more or less had to do all the steps involved in doing the pads. before I could even get at the rotors.
So rotors and pads can be generously estimated to take 30 minutes per wheel for a novice.
I think I am going to keep the rotors I was sent in error and replace my rears in a few weeks as they are below spec minimum thickness as well.
Jetfire
09-25-2002, 07:12 PM
How do you know your rears are thin? Do you have a mic(rometer)?
Originally posted by Jetfire
How do you know your rears are thin? Do you have a mic(rometer)?
JST had one the day we did our pads (the day of CD-55's accident). All of mine were below spec. But the fronts promptly warped after our high-speed runs post pad install. I had planned to wait a while on rears, but since they're here and what I would likely order anyway, why not keep them?
Originally posted by Holden
JST had one the day we did our pads (the day of CD-55's accident). All of mine were below spec. But the fronts promptly warped after our high-speed runs post pad install. I had planned to wait a while on rears, but since they're here and what I would likely order anyway, why not keep them?
Cool. Now you're making me want to swap out my fronts, too, as they were also slightly below spec.
Also, just noticed the number on your car in your sig pic. Here's one of me from last weekend:
http://members.roadfly.com/shua/209.jpg
Originally posted by JST
Cool. Now you're making me want to swap out my fronts, too, as they were also slightly below spec.
Also, just noticed the number on your car in your sig pic. Here's one of me from last weekend:
http://members.roadfly.com/shua/209.jpg
I'm #123 on Oct 12th out in Bowie.
Wasn't CD-55 #123 this last autox?
I hear rear rotors are a slightly bigger b*tch to do than fronts. And I still have to face what to do about my front shocks.
And now Jetfire has me thinking about TMEs and attempting the clutch bushing install.
Not to mention our inevitable XM install day. BTW, did you call?
Jetfire
09-25-2002, 07:37 PM
Check out the TME thread in a few minutes - I'm about to post two pictures. I'm #110 for Bowie, and my bushings offer still stands.
Originally posted by Holden
I'm #123 on Oct 12th out in Bowie.
Wasn't CD-55 #123 this last autox?
I hear rear rotors are a slightly bigger b*tch to do than fronts. And I still have to face what to do about my front shocks.
And now Jetfire has me thinking about TMEs and attempting the clutch bushing install.
Not to mention our inevitable XM install day. BTW, did you call?
I am 120 at Bowie; yes, CD was 123 this weekend.
I did call and order, so in 7-10 days we should be all set. I sent Anne Marie an e-mail about ordering the patch cable, but haven't heard back from her yet.
Did you get your front shocks yet?
Originally posted by JST
I am 120 at Bowie; yes, CD was 123 this weekend.
I did call and order, so in 7-10 days we should be all set. I sent Anne Marie an e-mail about ordering the patch cable, but haven't heard back from her yet.
Did you get your front shocks yet?
Ah! Note to self- Need to call Anne Marie in the morning...
And, no. No front shocks yet.
·clyde·
09-25-2002, 08:03 PM
Ok...
JST 120
Clyde 122
TD 123
Jetfire has already taken himself out of the running, but if Nick or CD is 121 and the other is 119 or 124... :confused: Not sure what that might mean
Wow Clyde. I'll get to watch every one of your runs CLOSELY (or at least the first 2/3rds of each of your runs). I need to pay close attention. Must... get... faster...
Originally posted by JST
I did call and order, so in 7-10 days we should be all set. I sent Anne Marie an e-mail about ordering the patch cable, but haven't heard back from her yet.
The adapter was model BMW/XM DMX PIO V.2, right?
operknockity
09-27-2002, 01:59 AM
Originally posted by Kaz
Luckily someone (I think it was operknockity) had an extra (correct) one in his car. :thumbup:
Yup that was me. Just like at work, us software folks always end up fixing things when the hardware folks get in trouble :lmao: :lmao:
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