Finally got one!!

[dbronk11]

I've been a lurker for a while and I finally got my ZHP! Picked it up in SC and brought it back to Raleigh.

I got an '04 OB/NB 6MT with 123k miles.

She needs some proper TLC and I'll put up some pics when I get the chance for a good clean.

I'll also be looking to do a little maintenance in the upcoming weekends so if anyone in NC would be interested in joining, I would love for someone else with some experience and a little know how to join.

Some of the things I plan on addressing soon:
Sagging headliner/C pillar
fuel filter
rear diff fluid
removing rear tint

One question from my initial drive. There's a little play in the steering wheel on the highway, I can move the wheel back and forth a bit without any response. The previous owner said that he had the car aligned more neutrally to allow for the least wear on the tires and the play in the wheel is a result, does that sound accurate? I want to get rid of it so I want to know if an alignment is my solution.

[ELCID86]

Congrats. OB FTW.

[NoVAphotog]

Congrats! And that could be an alignment issue, I'm not sure though.

[Vas]

Car ever had the front control arm bushings replaced?

Congrats on the purchase.

[dbronk11]

That's a good question, I'm not sure. This the maintenance from the seller: (he also changed the window regulators)

03/15/10 107235 Serpentine Belts, Oil Change, Air filter
06/22/10 108638 Rear Stop Light – Driver Side
09/16/10 109543 Water Temp Sender O-ring 9/16 x 5/16x1/8
11/30/10 110244 225/40R18 Yokohama Avid Front Tires – Incl Shipping
12/04/10 110244 Mount & Balance Fronts + Alignment
02/12/11 110768 CCV Valve, Water Pump, Thermostat, 2- Drive Pulleys
05/15/11 112708 Oil Change, Air Temp Sensor, Cabin Filter, Hood Badge
01/29/12 115705 ZKW Bowls Lined with Aluminum Tape- Headlight Lens Polished with Sylvania Kit
01/21/12 115800 Liner Material Reglued to A-Pillars
02/05/12 115835 Idle Control Valve Cleaned,somewhat sticky. Lower Intake Boot found with cracks. Removed and cleaned throttle body.
02/11/12 115835 Installled new intake bellows, throttle body gasket, Ftube
02/25/12 115882 Vanos Seals, Valve Cover Gasket, Spark Plugs (NGK)
04/23/12 116282 New Yokohama 255/35-18 AVID
04/28/12 116282 Mount & Balance Rears
05/06/12 116314 Alignment – Sears
11/23/12 118784 Oil Change Mobile 10-30, Fram CH8081
06/07/12 123450 Oxygen Sensors- Pre Cat

[Vas]

It does not look like they were replaced according to that list. I would look into replacing them if they are still the factory ones.

Might even be able to get a printout of the alignment specs from sears as well to see what it looks like.

[dbronk11]

I have the printout from sears, though I have no idea what all of the different numbers mean. I could post it later if it would aid in the interpretation of the issue.

[Vas]

Sure post the specs from the alignment.

[dbronk11]

Will do, I'll post when I get home.

[danewilson77]

Woot!

http://i1015.photobucket.com/albums/af278/nicee46/Funny/1017146_10152226217523738_1092454049_n.jpg (http://s1015.photobucket.com/user/nicee46/media/Funny/1017146_10152226217523738_1092454049_n.jpg.html)

[spatchel]

Congratulations on finding your car! I am still looking. My experience with E36s says that control arm bushings are definitely replacement items. I found that I had vibration at speed when they went bad.

[dbronk11]

Here's the specs from the alignment:

[330i ZHP]

congrats

[fredo]

Welcome, sir. And congrats ! Looks like the alignment was done one year ago. Perhaps it's time for another one so you can have a fresh start.

[dbronk11]

Does everything in the alignment look okay though, or potentially the cause for the play in the wheel?

The alignment was a couple years ago and about 7k miles. If it were still at these numbers should the wheel be okay?

[fredo]

The front caster is out of spec. Not sure that is related to your issue. Hope somebody else can chime in.

[Avetiso]

You're fine. If you want, you can still straighten things up a bit, but your alignment is good.

[dbronk11]

I went searching for answers and found this http://forum.e46fanatics.com/showthread.php?t=470103&highlight=flexible+steering+coupler

It seems to be exactly what mine is doing. Now I just have to find a temp/easy fix for the headliner C pillar sag, which seems nonexistant :facepalm

[3ZHP]

Welcome to the family. As for the alignment: caster is related to how the car tracks in a straight line. Think of it like the casters on your tool box, they always trail. As for the play, somethings loose. Could be bushings, Tie Rod Ends or Ball Joints (control arms need to be replaced for ball Joint issues), rear trail arm bushings. All of these things need to be tight for an alignment to hold its accuracy.

Take a look at these specs from my alignment at BMW of Chattanooga last year.

Good luck!

http://i591.photobucket.com/albums/ss351/3zhpguy/ZHP/Maintenence/20130916_ZHP_WheelAlignment_0001.jpg (http://s591.photobucket.com/user/3zhpguy/media/ZHP/Maintenence/20130916_ZHP_WheelAlignment_0001.jpg.html)

[johnrando]

Congrats. Def shld not be that play in the wheel. Basically what the others said about checking out control arms, bushings, etc.

[ELCID86]

Now I just have to find a temp/easy fix for the headliner C pillar sag, which seems nonexistant :facepalm

Post a pic of the c-pillar/liner. The pillar can be repaired but probably easier to replace.


Thumbs, iPhone, Tapatalk.

[dbronk11]

147301473114732

Any downside to just taking the material off? I'm going to be carting people around for the next week and I don't have time to get it fixed

[Oli77]

I would take it off but you probably will need to remove the seat back and the light.

You could temporarily use needles and weave them in and out of the fabric so they hold it up.

We all have that problem, and I am afraid that driving with the windows down down does not help.

As others have said, the "dead spot" in the steering wheel should not be there.
Welcome.