What "repairs" can I do myself? my '04 3.0 needs work

Graham M · 06-05-2008, 09:20 PM

Hey guys. I know most European cars require speciality tools, as (for example) VW REALLY doesn't like anybody other then VW techs working on their cars. I have a bad feeling I may be running across such a dillema, as I have non other then common tools to do all these repairs. I just had that comprehensive "Inspection #1" done today, and these are the faults they found.

-Front brakes need to be replaced. (I'm sure I can do this myself)

-right Tie-rod needs to be replaced (can a non-bmw dealership do this for me? I've heard too many horror stories of tie-rod replacement woes for me to embark on this)

-left CV joint boot is leaking, needs to be replaced.
As above; can I do this myself or is it best for a bmw/non-bmw dealership to do this?

Thanks a lot in advance. Much appreciated.

nOLd · 06-05-2008, 11:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Graham M

Hey guys. I know most European cars require speciality tools, as (for example) VW REALLY doesn't like anybody other then VW techs working on their cars. I have a bad feeling I may be running across such a dillema, as I have non other then common tools to do all these repairs. I just had that comprehensive "Inspection #1" done today, and these are the faults they found.

-Front brakes need to be replaced. (I'm sure I can do this myself)

-right Tie-rod needs to be replaced (can a non-bmw dealership do this for me? I've heard too many horror stories of tie-rod replacement woes for me to embark on this)

-left CV joint boot is leaking, needs to be replaced.
As above; can I do this myself or is it best for a bmw/non-bmw dealership to do this?

Thanks a lot in advance. Much appreciated.

I'd go with the BMW dealership or a shop that specialize euro cars just to be sure.

pbdm4k · 06-06-2008, 10:03 AM

The brakes can be done yourself and is very easy, the tie rod and cv boot can also be done, but they are a real PITA, so I recommend letting BMW fix those 2 items.

Brakes however, is a walk in the park. I put on my Brembo BBK myself and I'll have a DIY for it soon.

Graham M · 06-07-2008, 02:10 AM

^ great....thanks. exactly what I needed to know.

BlackSapphireZ · 06-07-2008, 10:58 AM

get your self a good set of TORX bits/sockets and allen wrenches

that is all

Graham M · 06-07-2008, 04:41 PM

^ For the brakes? or in general for future repairs?

pvr · 06-13-2008, 11:26 AM

Not needed for the brakes. Just a hex to get the caliper off and the pads just slide in no probs. 10 minutes per wheel to do the job.

You do need a clamp to push the caliper back in as the worn pad will have ensured that the caliper sticks out too much. I use a glue clamp for it.

Do check the brake fluid level though when you push the caliper in as it the reservoir is full, it can make a right old mess there.

THE JEDI · 10-21-2010, 12:27 AM

Well my CV boots need replacement any Idea how much it should cost....

MinneapolisJeff · 10-21-2010, 10:14 AM

holy old thread Batman!

06-05-2008, 09:20 PM	#1
Graham M I love my Z. Pure sex on wheels. 49 Rep 397 Posts Drives: Is sold, goodbye everyone! Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Calgary iTrader: (0)	What "repairs" can I do myself? my '04 3.0 needs work Hey guys. I know most European cars require speciality tools, as (for example) VW REALLY doesn't like anybody other then VW techs working on their cars. I have a bad feeling I may be running across such a dillema, as I have non other then common tools to do all these repairs. I just had that comprehensive "Inspection #1" done today, and these are the faults they found. -Front brakes need to be replaced. (I'm sure I can do this myself) -right Tie-rod needs to be replaced (can a non-bmw dealership do this for me? I've heard too many horror stories of tie-rod replacement woes for me to embark on this) -left CV joint boot is leaking, needs to be replaced. As above; can I do this myself or is it best for a bmw/non-bmw dealership to do this? Thanks a lot in advance. Much appreciated.
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06-06-2008, 10:03 AM	#3
pbdm4k Lieutenant Colonel 74 Rep 1,689 Posts Drives: 2010 335d Join Date: May 2007 Location: North of the Border iTrader: (3)	The brakes can be done yourself and is very easy, the tie rod and cv boot can also be done, but they are a real PITA, so I recommend letting BMW fix those 2 items. Brakes however, is a walk in the park. I put on my Brembo BBK myself and I'll have a DIY for it soon. __________________ 2010 BMW 335d "Ha! She wants the D." 2006 VW Jetta 2.5 Once upon a time... '03 VW GTI, '99 Audi A4 1.8TQ, '00 VW Jetta 1.85T, '09 BMW 335i xDrive, '04 BMW Z4 3.0i, '01 Audi TT 1.8T, '04 Volvo S80 2.5T
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06-07-2008, 02:10 AM	#4
Graham M I love my Z. Pure sex on wheels. 49 Rep 397 Posts Drives: Is sold, goodbye everyone! Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Calgary iTrader: (0)	^ great....thanks. exactly what I needed to know.
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06-07-2008, 10:58 AM	#5
BlackSapphireZ Major 97 Rep 1,191 Posts Drives: 22 GLE 53 Coupe Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Ladson, SC iTrader: (0)	get your self a good set of TORX bits/sockets and allen wrenches that is all __________________ 2022 GLE 53 Coupe
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06-07-2008, 04:41 PM	#6
Graham M I love my Z. Pure sex on wheels. 49 Rep 397 Posts Drives: Is sold, goodbye everyone! Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Calgary iTrader: (0)	^ For the brakes? or in general for future repairs?
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06-13-2008, 11:26 AM	#7
pvr Private 17 Rep 95 Posts Drives: F85 X5M Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: UK iTrader: (0)	Not needed for the brakes. Just a hex to get the caliper off and the pads just slide in no probs. 10 minutes per wheel to do the job. You do need a clamp to push the caliper back in as the worn pad will have ensured that the caliper sticks out too much. I use a glue clamp for it. Do check the brake fluid level though when you push the caliper in as it the reservoir is full, it can make a right old mess there.
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10-21-2010, 12:27 AM	#8
THE JEDI Major 123 Rep 1,461 Posts Drives: 2005 Z4 2.5i Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: JAPAN, Okinawa iTrader: (0)	Well my CV boots need replacement any Idea how much it should cost....
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10-21-2010, 10:14 AM	#9
MinneapolisJeff First Lieutenant 8 Rep 326 Posts Drives: 2003 BMW Z4 3.0i Join Date: May 2009 Location: Minneapolis/St. Paul iTrader: (0)	holy old thread Batman! __________________ the stable: 2003 BMW Z4 3.0i 2020 Mitsubishi Outlander SE 2021 Jeep Gladiator Rubicon
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