sfca-325i
05-24-2008, 09:48 AM
Okay, I know I have had my share of reliability issues with this SAV, but this one is kinda funny.
So, last month, one day before the 4 year warranty runs out on our 2004, my family tells me "Dad, the door pulls are loose". Sure enough, there's just a little bit of play on the top anchor point of the door pulls. So, I am not going to rush to bring this in to get it covered under warranty, I figure it is a simple job of tightening the anchor screws.
So, I search various forums to find a thread that covers door panel removal and find, in this forum, a great post by Vodka G (post #2):
http://www.bimmerfest.com/forums/showthread.php?t=287164
Tackle the rear passenger door first. Looks like some of the plastic has broken off, which provided the critical leverage point to securely anchor the door pull (see first pic). The anchor screw is still on tight and there is noticeable play at the top end of the door pull. Simple repair, add a thick washer between the screw head and the door pull and all is well.
I then tackle the front door pull and notice that the appearance of the plastic is the same. BUT, when I look closer, I see there there is NO screw attaching the door pull to the door (see second pic).
:mad:
So, I take the screw from the middle of the door pull and use it to anchor the top end of the door pull.
Gee, I wonder how many other pieces never got properly installed and wonder if this shoddy workmanship as the underlying reason for all the problems I've been having with the SAV. Must be a Friday car?
So, last month, one day before the 4 year warranty runs out on our 2004, my family tells me "Dad, the door pulls are loose". Sure enough, there's just a little bit of play on the top anchor point of the door pulls. So, I am not going to rush to bring this in to get it covered under warranty, I figure it is a simple job of tightening the anchor screws.
So, I search various forums to find a thread that covers door panel removal and find, in this forum, a great post by Vodka G (post #2):
http://www.bimmerfest.com/forums/showthread.php?t=287164
Tackle the rear passenger door first. Looks like some of the plastic has broken off, which provided the critical leverage point to securely anchor the door pull (see first pic). The anchor screw is still on tight and there is noticeable play at the top end of the door pull. Simple repair, add a thick washer between the screw head and the door pull and all is well.
I then tackle the front door pull and notice that the appearance of the plastic is the same. BUT, when I look closer, I see there there is NO screw attaching the door pull to the door (see second pic).
:mad:
So, I take the screw from the middle of the door pull and use it to anchor the top end of the door pull.
Gee, I wonder how many other pieces never got properly installed and wonder if this shoddy workmanship as the underlying reason for all the problems I've been having with the SAV. Must be a Friday car?