How to Cut the Coil Springs in an Audi A6

1. Jack up the car and place it safely and securely on jack stands. Remove all four wheels
2. Remove the rubber body plugs that cover the nuts for the front suspension with a screwdriver or pliers. Behind the nuts are four 13-mm nuts that are removed with a socket and a long extension. Disconnect the sway bar links and the inner pivot bolt on the lower front control arm. The latter is to provide clearance when removing the shock and spring assembly. Remove the lower shock bolt and remove the shock assembly.
3. At the rear remove the nut and bolt in the lower shock mount as well as the sway bar to subframe bolts. Loosen the inner control arm pivot bolts with an 18-mm and a 16-mm socket. Remove the upper nut and bolt from the upper control arm and pull the control arm out of the way. Remove the lower shock bolt and the two upper bolts that hold the shock assembly to the car. Pull the assembly out of the car, being careful not to damage the brake line.
4. Once all shocks are out of the car, use a high-quality spring compressor to compress the springs and remove the 18-mm not at the top of the shocks.
5. The fastest way to cut the springs is with an angle grinder that has a 4-inch cutoff wheel. You can also use a hacksaw. Carefully cut through all the springs, ensuring that you remove the exact same amount on each one to maintain a consistent ride height. It is best to start with a half coil or one coil. If the car is not low enough, you can always re-cut the springs. Paint the springs after they are cut to prevent them from rusting.
6. Reassemble the shock and spring assembly in the opposite order of removal and torque everything to the proper spec according to the manual.

Continue lendo

Mirror Installation for a 1997 Audi A6 Quattro

1. Open the door and roll down the window on the Quattro. This allows you to hold the mirror when it is time to remove the nuts from the inside of the door.
2. Remove the triangular access cover from the inside door panel by pulling on the cover with your hands. The cover mounts to the inner door directly across from the location where the mirror is on the door.
3. Disconnect the mirror motor from the electrical connector located behind the access cover.
4. Hold the mirror with one hand and remove the three nuts with a socket with the other hand.
5. Pull the old mirror out of the door and place the studs on the end of the new mirror into the door. Secure the mirror with the nuts.
6. Reconnect the wiring harness and tuck it back into the door's sub frame.
7. Place the triangular access cover back onto the door and snap it into place.

Continue lendo

DIY Battery Replacement for a BMW 3

1. Decide whether to buy an aftermarket or an original equipment manufacturer (OEM) battery based on your budget and preference. Purchase a replacement battery from an auto store or BMW dealership.
2. Open your BMW 3-series trunk and remove all stored items. Pull up on the spare tire cover to remove the cover and spare tire. This allows access to the battery cover on the right-hand side of the trunk.
3. Remove the two plastic screws that are holding the battery cover in place with a Phillips head screwdriver. Place the screws aside for re-installation. Lift the battery cover off and set it aside. The battery is now exposed and ready to work on.
4. Locate the positive terminal on the battery, which has a red cover with a '+' sign on it. Pull the plastic red cover off the positive terminal with your hands to remove it. Loosen and remove the bolt underneath the red cap with a 10 mm wrench to release the red connected cable.
5. Locate the negative terminal, which has a black plastic cover with a '-' symbol on it. Pull the plastic black cover off the positive terminal with your hands to remove it. Loosen and remove the bolt underneath the black cap with a 10 mm wrench to release the black connected cable. Place the cables aside so they don't interfere with the rest of the job.
6. Unscrew the tall screw in the front of the battery that attaches the battery to the bottom of the battery tray, using a Phillips head screwdriver. Set the screw aside for re-installation. Pull the battery up to remove it from the battery tray. Place the battery aside for disposal.
7. Place your new battery into the battery tray. Screw the tall screw into the front of the battery with your Phillips head screwdriver to attach the battery to the battery tray.
8. Reattach the red positive and black negative cables to their respective positions with the 10 mm wrench. Replace the red cap on the positive cable and the black cap on the negative cable.
9. Place the battery cover over the battery. Screw in the two plastic screws saved in Step 3, using your Phillips head screwdriver.
10. Replace your spare tire and spare tire cover over the battery cover and push it into place. Close your trunk.

Continue lendo

How to Replace the Rear Window of a BMW Convertible

1. Lower all of the side windows. Unlatch the convertible top and lift it up an inch or two from the windshield frame but leave it in the up position.
2. Run the plastic tool that comes with the new window between the black rubber bead and the old window on the outside of the top. This will separate the top from the double-sided tape that is on the window. Don’t worry about damaging the rubber bead since the new window comes with new parts as well.
3. Pull the black rubber bead all the way out and discard it.
4. Remove the metal clip that is located at the bottom center of the window by prying up the teeth on the clip with a screwdriver. Remove the support plate for the clip. Loosen the clip from the inside of the car and move to the outside and pull it out.
5. Unzip the existing window and set it aside. Clean the top cloth where the window was glued on with rubbing alcohol and a rag. Remove any traces of the old glue.
6. Zip the new window into place. Be careful not to scratch the top or get any grease on it. You will need a helper for this. Have the helper hold the window in place from inside the car while you get the zipper started on the blue side of the double-sided window tape.
7. Install the metal clip that ensures that ensures that the zipper does not come undone. Insert the clip from outside the car, install the support plate and then bend down the teeth of the metal clip from inside the car.
8. Apply some extra 100mm double-sided tape over the clip. Apply rubber cement to the cloth top where it comes in contact with the double-sided tape on the window.
9. Pull back the protective plastic on the double-sided tape to expose the sticky side. Push the black rubber bead on the window around the edge of the top with the plastic tool.
10. Run your finger around the cloth top where it overlaps the window and press the tape firmly onto the rubber bead. Fasten the top and leave it in the up position for 24 hours.

Continue lendo

How to Bleed an E34 Radiator

Radiator-Mounted Expansion Tank
1. Place the catch pan underneath the radiator.
2. Place your key in the ignition and start the E34's engine.
3. Open the hood. Locate the bleeder screw on top of the expansion tank, which is mounted atop the radiator. Turn the screw counterclockwise with a screwdriver to open it and bleed the cooling system.
4. Open the coolant reservoir tank by turning the cap on the top of the tank counterclockwise. Pour engine coolant into the reservoir when the coolant starts to escape the bleed screw. Continue pouring the coolant into the tank until there are no more air bubbles coming out from around the bleed screw.
5. Close the bleed screw, turning it clockwise with the screwdriver. Shut off the engine.
Separate Expansion Tank
6. Loosen the bleeder screw, which is on top of the thermostat housing assembly, by turning it counterclockwise with the screwdriver. The coolant will flow out of the housing without the engine on.
7. Tighten the bleeder screw by turning it clockwise when you no longer see air bubbles coming out of the screw.
8. Set the heat temperature on the HVAC controls inside the car to the hottest setting, and set the fan to the highest speed.
9. Start the engine and let the car run.
10. Open the cap on the coolant reservoir tank by turning the cap counterclockwise and pulling it off the tank. Watch the coolant level, indicated by the marks on the side of the tank, and pour in more coolant if the level drops below the lower mark.
11. Open the bleeder screw again once the E34 has reached normal operating temperature. Then tighten the screw after there are no more air bubbles coming out around the screw. Check the coolant level in the reservoir tank periodically, and refill it to the upper mark on the tank as needed.
12. Repeat Step 6 until all of the air is out of the radiator and cooling system. You may need to repeat the process five or six times to fully bleed the system. Turn off the car.

Continue lendo

How to Clean the Mass Air Flow Sensor in a Mercedes Benz

1. Disconnect the negative battery cable. Loosen the nut on the cable clamp and pull the clamp off the negative terminal.
2. Remove the electrical connector running to the mass air flow sensor on the back of the engine on the intake.
3. Remove the screws holding the mass airflow sensor in place.
4. Pull the hose off the mass air flow sensor.
5. Remove the mass air flow sensor.
6. Turn the sensor over and set it on a flat surface.
7. Spray the sensor wires liberally with electronic parts cleaner.
8. Reinstall the sensor and allow to dry for at least an hour before starting the Mercedes.

Continue lendo

How to Install Greddy Turbo Timer

1. Locate the wiring harness that connects to the ignition key switch on your car. On most vehicles this will involve removing some type of steering column and/or dash trim.
2. Disconnect the harness that extends to the ignition switch. This will usually be a bunch of wires routed together into an inline connector.
3. Connect the optional turbo timer harness that came with the Greddy kit to the factory harness. If this was not ordered or available for your car, skip this step and proceed to step 5.
4. Connect the supplied power harness to the 3-pin connector of the optional wiring harness to the 4-pin connector on the turbo timer.
5. If you are not using an optional turbo timer harness, use a workshop manual for your car to locate the wires that switch the ignition to ON. Solder or connect the green wire from the turbo timer to this wire.
6. Locate the wire on the ignition switch harness that goes to a 12V constant power source. Solder or connect the red wire to this wire.
7. Locate a wire on the ignition switch harness that goes to an accessory. Solder or connect the blue wire from the turbo timer to this wire.
8. Attach the black wire on the turbo time to a suitable ground, making sure to use a bare metal ground and securely attach the wire. A ground can be found on the inside of the dash and should be bare metal. Scrape off any paint and then fasten the wire to the ground by using an eyelet on the end of the wire that is screwed firmly to the dash.
9. Apply double-sided tape to the dash or where you have chosen to mount the turbo timer. Fasten the turbo timer to the tape.
10. Start the vehicle and then switch the ignition off to ensure that the turbo timer is keeping the motor running for the specified amount of time. Use the button on the face of the timer to change the amount of time that the engine continues to idle after the ignition is shut off.

Continue lendo

How to Reset a Mercedes AC System

1. Insert the key into the Mercedes ignition and turn the ignition cylinder to the '2' position. This is as far as the cylinder will go without cranking the engine.
2. Press and hold the defrost and recirculated air buttons simultaneously. The defrost button has three lines going through it, while the recirculated air button has a picture of a car with a curved line through it. Hold these buttons down for about five to 10 seconds, or until the LED lights on both buttons start flashing.
3. Wait 45 to 60 seconds for the LED lights to stop flashing. Then turn off the car.
4. Wait 60 seconds and then start the car engine again.

Continue lendo

How to Change SLK 350 Tires

1. Open the trunk and lift the floor panel.
2. Turn the retaining screw holding the spare tire counterclockwise and remove the tire to access the jack and wheel wrench.
3. Remove the jack and the wheel wrench.
4. Unscrew the wheel nuts on the tire but do not remove them.
5. Position the jack under the frame of the vehicle. There are jack points on the frame where the jack head should fit when the car is raised. For the tires in the front, the point is behind the front wheelwell, and the back jack point is behind the back wheelwell.
6. Raise the vehicle with the jack high enough to easily take off the old tire and put on the new one.
7. Unscrew the wheel nuts by hand and remove them.
8. Pull the old tire off of the car.
9. Position the new tire onto the wheel and push it on.
10. Screw the wheel nuts, by hand, onto the new tire.
11. Lower the vehicle back to the ground with the jack.
12. Tighten the nuts with the wheel wrench.
13. Repeat Steps 4 through 12 to change the other tires if necessary.

Continue lendo

How to Fill Up the Power Steering on a BMW 323I

1. Park the car on a flat surface. Open the hood. Locate the power steering pump reservoir. This is on the driver's side at the front of the engine bay, next to the oil filter canister.
2. Remove the lid for the power steering reservoir by turning it counterclockwise. Pull the lid off.
3. Inspect the dip stick attached to the bottom of the reservoir lid. The dip stick will have a low and a full mark on it. Wipe off the dip stick with a rag. Determine where the level of the fluid is at by reinstalling the lid, removing it and inspecting the dip stick.
4. Pour in the appropriate amount of hydraulic fluid. BMW recommends Dextron III Automatic Transmission Fluid for the E36 and E46 range of 3 Series.
5. Reinstall the lid. Start the car and let it idle for a second to get the power steering fluid into the system. Turn the wheel as far as it will go in both directions several times.
6. Remove the lid for the power steering reservoir. Check the level of the fluid. Add more fluid is necessary. Close the hood.

Continue lendo