1995 e34 540i/6 *m60b44* - Return to Some Kind of Glory

[marshallnoise]

FYI, e38 tires (235/60r16) are taller than e34 specified tire sizes. you can fit up to 245s in the front and 275s in the rear of an e34 if they are the right height and wheel offsets. you've discovered that the front offset is too high for wide tires. if you get proper sized/narrower tires, you can avoid spacers. if you want to get wider rubber, get some 10mm hubcentric spacers.

either way, ditch those balloon tires. 1)they are heavier, making your acceleration and gas mileage worse. B)they are tall enough to throw off your speedometer at highway speeds. Thirdly, they look like truck tires which is unsightly! and 4) you probably will rub those front ones on tight turns and going up driveways and such

Bam, that is some dropped knowledge!

I just bought some 7mm hubcentric spacers for the front and the rear. Yes, they are balloon tires for sure. But they have loads of life left in them and I am cheap. When I wear them down i will get the right size tires on there. I can't even get this tire in the spare wheel well. LOL!

Odd enough, the weight of these wheels and tires is less than on my stock 15" style 5s with tires. Very strange.

Thanks for the killer info though!

[straight6pwr]

Upon further research, it turns out that the main reason why I have issues with rubbing on the front is because the size of tires that are mounted on the rim. They are 235/60/16s which are significantly wider than the 225/50/16s that most e34 guys run with these. Even then, I guess those don't fit so good depending on the tire.

FYI, e38 tires (235/60r16) are taller than e34 specified tire sizes. you can fit up to 245s in the front and 275s in the rear of an e34 if they are the right height and wheel offsets. you've discovered that the front offset is too high for wide tires. if you get proper sized/narrower tires, you can avoid spacers. if you want to get wider rubber, get some 10mm hubcentric spacers.

either way, ditch those balloon tires. 1)they are heavier, making your acceleration and gas mileage worse. B)they are tall enough to throw off your speedometer at highway speeds. Thirdly, they look like truck tires which is unsightly! and 4) you probably will rub those front ones on tight turns and going up driveways and such

[marshallnoise]

Bastards offered $185 for my 83 300SD Turbo Diesel IF I drove it in.

Price is now $2 (instead of $1) to walk the lot. I find better luck with the check out process though.. seem to haggle a bit better.

Now to go back and re-read this whole thing.

Our yard went from $2 to $3 to walk in. And yeah, they are super cheap. Our folks don't haggle at all. The place is always busy so I am sure they don't have to.

[TimeMachinE30]

Bastards offered $185 for my 83 300SD Turbo Diesel IF I drove it in.

Price is now $2 (instead of $1) to walk the lot. I find better luck with the check out process though.. seem to haggle a bit better.

Now to go back and re-read this whole thing.

[marshallnoise]

You are an LKQ pro.

I have my own E34 coming into my life, so your thread is even more meaningful to me!

Hahahahaha! I kind of am. It used to be Ecology and I liked them better. But at least LKQ has an inventory system now. Not that I used it.

These are great cars. I smile every time I drive it. Its just the perfect "hooligan in a suit" car for me.

[TimeMachinE30]

You are an LKQ pro.

I have my own E34 coming into my life, so your thread is even more meaningful to me!

[marshallnoise]

Had a pretty productive Thanksgiving holiday for the Bimmer.

Got my hood struts installed. So nice to not have the hood slam back on my head when working on it.

Went to the junkyard to try and procure some new-to-me wheels and a couple of batteries while the yard had a 40% off sale. The group 47 I had in the BMW worked, but it was too tall and the rear seat would not fit. The plan was to put the 47 in my 4Runner (battery was tired and about toast), get a new 49 for the BMW and get a 27 for the Bronco. At the Oceanside LKQ I was able to get a group 27 battery for the Bronco for $20. It was built a year and a half ago so I feel good about that. Tried to find a new group 49 battery for the 540 but had no luck. No wheels at the Oceanside LKQ either.

I had already swapped out the 47 from the BMW and put it in the 4Runner and the original Bronco 27 was dead as a door knob. I tried not to drive the 4Runner because it is leaking coolant into cylinder 3 every now and then causing a misfire. I had to get down to the LKQ in Chula Vista somehow and that involved using the 27 in the BMW which mostly fit but still needed some jumper cable hacking to get it to roll.

The Chula Vista LKQ almost always has a better selection of cars. Sure enough, they had a 2 year old group 49 battery just chilling on their battery rack and it tested great. I snagged that for $20 which beats the hell out of $150 for a new one. Should last 4 years at least. Victory number 1.

Victory number 2 was scoring a set of e38 Style 5s in 16x8 with nice tires and lots of life. Plus I got a 5th for a spare. All 5 barely fit the 540i, but I got them home.
IMG_20161125_181144062_zpsfjyvvr65 by Paul Abbott, on Flickr

IMG_20161125_183911300_zps1yb3aopd by Paul Abbott, on Flickr

IMG_20161125_184350436_zpsfbwyiggg by Paul Abbott, on Flickr

IMG_20161125_184440655_zpslhmwkrpf by Paul Abbott, on Flickr

Now, these tires and wheels are MUCH larger than the 15x7s I had on there. New size on the left, old on the right.

IMG_20161127_133552989_HDR_zpsjdc5coog by Paul Abbott, on Flickr

IMG_20161127_133602264_zpsgfxgkhse by Paul Abbott, on Flickr

Way back when I got the car and Josh drove it back for me, it had 20 inch ghetto specials in chrome on it. It had horrible shake and vibration. Turns out, it had hub-centric rings on 3 of the 4 hubs. The driver's front was missing and probably where the vibes came from. But as a fella who had no idea what hub-centric rings were, I just slapped my junkyard 15s on there and didn't think any different. Well, that became a problem when trying to get the drivers rear wheel off. Holy crap it took some effort to get that wheel off.

So took those bastards off 3 of the 4 hubs.
IMG_20161126_164645656_zpsf4ycl3bj by Paul Abbott, on Flickr

IMG_20161126_164531510_zpsijftkfyw by Paul Abbott, on Flickr

IMG_20161126_164638688_zpsi4cwtdyn by Paul Abbott, on Flickr

The off set is et23 which my e34 requires et20. I figured it wouldn't be an issue. They look good to me!
IMG_20161127_131915815_zpshr1cq71c by Paul Abbott, on Flickr

Clearance was an issue. I drove around the block and heard noises. Ha!
IMG_20161127_132932135_zpszvweizxt by Paul Abbott, on Flickr

Clearance with the 15x7s.
IMG_20161127_133801913_HDR_zpskaxo80rq by Paul Abbott, on Flickr

Interference with 16X8s.
IMG_20161127_133405401_zpsiefaaa5d by Paul Abbott, on Flickr

So as she sits until I get some spacers.
IMG_20161127_133845542_zps1rrfnnr4 by Paul Abbott, on Flickr

Upon further research, it turns out that the main reason why I have issues with rubbing on the front is because the size of tires that are mounted on the rim. They are 235/60/16s which are significantly wider than the 225/50/16s that most e34 guys run with these. Even then, I guess those don't fit so good depending on the tire.

[marshallnoise]

One way to get tint off your rear windshield is to do what I did: Replace the bia.
IMG_20161118_114210839_zpsfoq5gxqz by Paul Abbott, on Flickr

I spent the $60 it took to get a glass shop to do it. I was able to help and it was a piece of cake. The next time I do it, I won't pay to have it done.
IMG_20161118_115512271_zpsnsao90fh by Paul Abbott, on Flickr

So nice to be able to see out the back.

I have no idea why I started to do the rear door gasket fix but I just got after it. Like a zombie. Pretty simple though. Just cut the original gasket in half, refit it nice and tight and then splice in another section from the junkyard gasket you sourced earlier. Both the rear doors are done. Made a huge difference in wind noise.
IMG_20161118_123658762_HDR_zps8biin5wu by Paul Abbott, on Flickr

IMG_20161118_123703887_zpsyapurthz by Paul Abbott, on Flickr

Went to the junkyard and just missed out on a VERY clean set of e38 M-Pars with killer tires. Was totally miffed I missed them.

But there was an e34 touring there that was in really good shape. I snooped through it and found this factory cassette tape.
IMG_20161118_180236594_zpshzaqphhn by Paul Abbott, on Flickr

Also snagged some all weather front mats from the same touring.
IMG_20161119_111131377_zpsb9e8bgso by Paul Abbott, on Flickr

IMG_20161119_111734390_zpsjv0sjs5t by Paul Abbott, on Flickr

IMG_20161119_111805742_zps407t6b6h by Paul Abbott, on Flickr

I was missing the plastic trim that goes under the dash just above the pedals that held the door gong and HVAC pipes. I pulled this one off the same e34 that I got my rear glass from. It was an automatic car so I had to cut out the clutch pedal relief channel. Pretty easy with a Dremel.
IMG_20161119_203934778_zpstlyfgxrx by Paul Abbott, on Flickr

IMG_20161119_204743800_zpsgegwrcyz by Paul Abbott, on Flickr

Turns out the door gong that I bought WITH the piece is dead. Fortunately I have one that works still. Just going to have to pull this thing out again. I did manage to get the knee shield trim installed for the driver's side. Looks better.

While I had the Dremel out, I decided to cut off the oil/power steering cooler line clamps. Easy as pie.
IMG_20161119_205035182_zpsxhgbjdx1 by Paul Abbott, on Flickr

IMG_20161119_205702150_zpsbdh9nwsh by Paul Abbott, on Flickr

The touring also gave up some nice hood struts and the glove box strut. All of them were in great shape and it will be nice not to have to use a vice grip to hold the new hood up.

The glove box strut is installed, but the way the rear of the glove box mounts is just strange as hell and I am having an issue getting it to line up properly.

With the cooler weather around, I am hoping to get going on trying to save the paint as best I can and that means busting out my dual action polisher.

[marshallnoise]

paperplane94's e34 DIY Door lock actuator repair

http://www.r3vlimited.com/board/show...06#post4716906

I wanted to preserve this amazing piece of tech for future folks.

The only thing I would do different is use dialectic grease everywhere I can.

Pulled tint off a rear window I got from the junkyard. All of $40. People want a fortune (to me, the cheap ass) to install it so I am on my own, by choice.

Here is a vid of me pulling the tint off a bit. So easy.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VeAhTQ9DHuY

IMG_20161112_145820656_zpsddthuu6b by Paul Abbott, on Flickr

I need to get my rear window installed. I am going to buy some 3M Windo-Weld tomorrow after I get paid and grab a friend and get it installed.

Someone also wanted to know how the "waterless" coolant situation went. Perfect if you ask me.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GV8WuXhsFUg

Briefly the car threw a 1212 code after decelerating down a hill in 2nd gear using engine braking. It stayed on until I came out the next morning and it was gone. WTF?!

I threw it up in the air last night and checked the suspension bits for looseness. Everything was tight and looked in good shape. I did crank down on every bolt a bit and I did get some more turns (well, parts of turns) on the steering links. So far, no more clunk and it feels like it is returning to center faster when I let go of the wheel.

EDIT: OH!!! Not having windshield sprayers is torture. I got my new-to-me set in and installed them. I also got the washer fluid bottle installed and it is not leaking anymore (for whatever reason) and I have sprayers!!! SO NICE!

[marshallnoise]

Your washer fluid leak could easily be your pump too, my E34 did the same thing. ended up being the pump leaking. I see it alot on Benz's to, the pumps leak.

good progress on this thing!!!

This might be the case. All I know is I filled it up and saw water coming out where the pump goes into the reservoir. Could be the o-ring or it could be the pump itself!

I picked up a new rear window at the junk yard. It had really dark tint on it but it came off super easy. I picked up some Window Weld but I don't have the gun that is required to use the product and I don't want to buy it either. So I am going to go to a glass place and see if they will install it for me for cheap. I have done all the prep work anyway.

My new 25mm spacers have arrived so the staggered Contours can bolt on after I help Josh out with his e30. Stoked on that.

Corvallis, I have new thrust arms already but I haven't replaced the dog bones yet. I think the sway bar mounts are the cause again. Might have come loose a bit. Making the same sound to my ears.

Sent from my XT1575 using Tapatalk

[TimKninja]

Your washer fluid leak could easily be your pump too, my E34 did the same thing. ended up being the pump leaking. I see it alot on Benz's to, the pumps leak.

good progress on this thing!!!

[CorvallisBMW]

Thrust arms and dogbones, stat!

[marshallnoise]

Yeah, that's literally the only thing I haven't tried. The thing that would give me hope is that usually when you have this layer of tint adhesive on the glass it is somewhat tacky. This is not tacky at all. Its dried and hard. I will grab my clothes iron and see if I can get the steam to work. If it does in a small area, then I will go to Walmart and pick up a cheap steamer.

FYI, the sway bar bushings made a huge difference in how the car handles. No more clunk and it is so much smoother. Need to replace my dogbones in the rear next.

Aaaand a newish clunk is back. This time from side to side motion. Everything is going to have to be new on this ride.

[marshallnoise]

Try steam and a razor blade just be careful with cutting the defroster lines

Yeah, that's literally the only thing I haven't tried. The thing that would give me hope is that usually when you have this layer of tint adhesive on the glass it is somewhat tacky. This is not tacky at all. Its dried and hard. I will grab my clothes iron and see if I can get the steam to work. If it does in a small area, then I will go to Walmart and pick up a cheap steamer.

FYI, the sway bar bushings made a huge difference in how the car handles. No more clunk and it is so much smoother. Need to replace my dogbones in the rear next.

[efficient]

Try steam and a razor blade just be careful with cutting the defroster lines