Brake Repair on a 2004 Audi A4 Quattro


1. Park the Audi A4 in a location that will provide safety while changing the brake components. This location should be on a relatively flat surface, away from passing traffic.
2. Loosen the lug nuts on the wheel of the brake that requires repair, with the lug wrench.
3. Place the lifting jack beneath the frame of the Audi near the target brake. Lift the vehicle and place jack stands beneath the frame to support the car during the repair.
4. Remove the lug nuts and the wheel from the wheel bolts.
5. Pull the spring clip from the outside of the brake caliper with a pair of pliers.
6. Remove the two caliper slide bolts with a 7 mm hex socket and ratchet.
7. Pull the caliper from the caliper bracket and rotor.
8. Disconnect the brake line from the caliper by screwing the fastener for the line at the point of their connection. Allow the brake line to hang over the drip pan to capture any leaking brake fluid.
9. Remove the two bolts that hold the caliper bracket to the rotor using a 17 mm socket and ratchet. Pull the caliper bracket away from the rotor.
10. Pull the rotor from the wheel bolts.
11. Spray the new rotor with brake cleaner and wipe the entire rotor clean with a towel. Place the new rotor onto the wheel bolts.
12. Slide the new brake pads into the new caliper. The pads fit on either side of the caliper walls.
13. Connect the new caliper to the brake line and screw on the fastener that will hold the line to the caliper.
14. Place the caliper bracket onto the rotor and screw in the 17 mm bolts with the socket and ratchet.
15. Place the new caliper with new brake pads installed, onto the caliper bracket and screw in the caliper slide bolts with the 7 mm hex socket and ratchet.
16. Replace the spring clip into the outside of the caliper with the pliers. The spring clip fits into the holes on the outside of the caliper.
17. Replace the wheels onto the wheel bolts and screw on the lug nuts.
18. Lift the Audi to remove the jack stands before lowering the vehicle to the ground.
19. Tighten the lug nuts with the lug wrench.
20. Press the brake pedal three times, holding the pedal down after the third depression for 15 seconds.
21. Lift the hood of the Audi and remove the master cylinder cap. The cap is located near the windshield on the driver's side of the vehicle.
22. Fill the master cylinder with brake fluid as needed. Replace the master cylinder cap and close the Audi's hood.
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How to Change Outer Tie Rod Ends


1. Park the car in a relatively flat, even surface. Place in 'Park' or first gear and shut the key all the way off.
2. Place wheel chock behind one or both rear tires. Using the breaking bar and appropriate-sized deep 1/2-inch drive socket, loosen lug nuts on the wheel you're removing to replace the outer tie rod end. Do not remove lug nuts; simply break them loose.
3. Raise the vehicle using the floor jack and place jack stand under frame of vehicle. Remove lug nuts and wheel from vehicle.
4. Determine the application of the outer tie rod end. Many vehicles have a wide variety of types. Most common will have a jam nut behind them threaded to the inner tie rod end and will bolt to the knuckle. Spray the jam nut with an oil-based penetrant spray such as WD 40 or PB Blaster and break free with the appropriate open end hand wrench. Jam nuts come in a variety of sizes, but the most common are 19, 21 and 22 mm. Just break the jam nut free of the outer tie rod. Do not loosen. You may have to use a hand torch and heat up the jam nut to get the metal of the nut to expand on the threads of the inner tie rod.
5. Remove cotter pin from the bottom of the castle nut that bolts the bottom of the outer tie rod end onto to the knuckle with needle-nosed pliers or a cutting tool. Some outer tie rod end applications offer a locking nut and not a castle nut. If that's the case, skip this step.
6. Use the 1/2-inch drive breaking bar and appropriate-sized deep well socket for a castle nut or a locking nut, and loosen and remove the nut.
7. Use a ball peen hammer to hammer the knuckle where the outer tie rod end bolts into. Hammering the bottom of the outer tie rod end may work, but you want to be careful not to mushroom the bottom of the pivot or it will not fit through the hole in the knuckle. Hitting the knuckle with force will usually break the tension free.
8. Unscrew the outer tie rod end after you free it from the knuckle. Again, a hand torch may be needed to heat up and expand the metal of the outer tie rod end from the threads of the inner tie rod. This is rare, but it can happen.
9. Measure the distance of the inner tie rod end up to and past the jam nut. You can opt to replace the jam nut if you want to, as most new outer tie rod ends come with replacement nut, or you can simply leave the old one on the inner tie rod end and screw the new outer tie rod end up to the old jam nut. If you want to replace the nut, replace the new outer tie rod end in a very close position to where the old one was. This is important to keep the alignment of the vehicle as close to the way it was before replacement.
10. Place outer tie rod end pivot into knuckle and tighten very tightly using breaking bar and socket. If the outer tie rod end has a rubber cup, you may have to place that on the pivot and cover the ball area with it. You will have to align the hole at the lower end of the pivot and the castle nut in order to allow the new cotter pin to slide through, if applicable. Place in cotter pin and bend over the bottom of the pivot. If it's a locking nut, simply tighten.
11. Tighten the jam nut. If the replacement outer tie rod end has a grease fitting, screw it on and tighten it gently with the appropriate open end hand wrench or socket. Grease fitting using grease gun until cup is full. Some new outer tie rod ends do not come with grease fittings and are sealed.
12. Replace tire and lug nuts. Tighten as tight as you can get the lug nuts. Raise vehicle high enough to remove jack stand. Lower vehicle and torque lug nuts in opposite sequence using a 1/2-inch drive adjustable torque wrench and appropriate-sized socket for the lug nuts to the proper torque specifications for that vehicle. If you need to replace the other side outer tie rod end, repeat the same procedure. When you're done, remove the wheel chock.
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How to Work a Flappy Paddle Gear Box


1. Get in the vehicle. Start the engine, check your mirrors and test your lights and blinkers. Put on your seat belt, put your foot on the brake and release the parking brake.
2. Put the vehicle in gear and release the brake. Place your foot on the accelerator. Listen to the engine to determine the rpm or periodically glance at the tachometer. Once the engine rpm reaches the speed at which you want to shift, press the button or lever that electronically shifts the gear box for you. Again, listen or monitor the rpm and shift at the appropriate time. Cycle through the gears until you reach your highest or your cruising speed.
3. Press down on the brake and slow the engine's rpm speed until you can downshift without over-revving the engine when the gear box drops down a gear. Press the button to down shift. Make certain to monitor the rpm so the engine speed does not get so slow that you lug the engine and make the vehicle lurch.
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How to Make a BMW Look Like an M3


1. Remove the panels for the front bumper, the side front quarter panels and the rear bumper. Replace the rear bumper with an aftermarket bumper that allows two cutouts for the dual exhaust that matches the M3 style.
2. Replace the front bumper with an aftermarket body kit that includes front brake spoilers. On the M3, the front spoilers act to cool the front brakes. The aftermarket bumper need not provide a similar function as long as the two openings at the lower front corners are present to mirror the look of the M3.
3. Replace the two front side panels with 3-series panels with side grilles. The chrome grilles provide ventilation for the E92 M3's 4.0 liter V-8 engine. On the 3-series it will provide one of the distinctive exterior features that differentiate the M3 from a standard BMW 3-series coupe.
4. Add side skirts below the side panels of the 3-series to give the appearance of a lower stance for the 3-series.
5. Replace the wheels with compatible 19-inch chrome wheels. The E46 BMW M3 came with either 18 or 19-inch wheels while the E92 has standard 19-inch chrome wheels.
6. Replace the hood with an M3 hood with a 'power dome.' The M3 engine required a raised section of the hood for clearance, which is commonly called a power dome. From a distance, when the wheels are indistinguishable and the side grilles are invisible, the power dome stands out as a signature feature of E46 and E92 M3s.
7. Add a lip spoiler to the rear trunk lid. The M3 has a subtle spoiler on the rear edge of the trunk. You can have the lid spoiler attached by adhesives for a long-lasting fit.
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How to Install Headlight Bulbs on an Audi A4


1. Open the front hood. Locate the tops of the headlights in the engine bay. Depending on the model year, you may or may not need to remove the headlight itself to access the bulb. See how much clearance there is behind the headlight. If you can reach down and pull the bulb out, there is no need to remove the headlight.
2. Remove the two T25 screw bolts at the top of the headlight housing that hold the housing on. Use the appropriate star-shaped bit to remove these bolts.
3. Loosen the two T25 Torx screws at the lower back part of the headlight housing. These do not need to be removed. Slide the headlight forward so you can reach the back of the housing, where the bulb is installed.
4. Disconnect the wiring harness socket that goes to the headlight bulb by pulling it gently but firmly straight back. Squeeze the metal clips that hold the socket in place to open the clips. This should allow you to pull out the socket.
5. Turn the headlight bulb until the tabs on it line up with the slots on the socket, then remove the bulb. Install the new bulb by sliding it into the socket and turning it.
6. Close the metal clip over the bulb socket. Reconnect the wiring harness to the socket. If you unbolted the headlight to reach the bulbs, slide it back in place and install the top bolts. Tighten the bolts on the back of the housing. Close the hood. Turn the key to the on position, then turn on the headlights to make sure they're working.
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How Do I Open the Convertible Roof on a BMW 318i?


Semi-Automatic Roof
1. Place your car in park or depress your brake pedal. The roof will not open or close if you do not do this.
2. Locate the latches on the inside of your BMW where the convertible top meets the windshield and release them.
3. Push and hold the button that has a picture of a side window and a top on it. This is located on the lower part of your dash, near the heated seats and traction control button. Give the roof a little push to help it start folding. Keep holding this button while the side windows lower slightly and the convertible top tucks under. When the side window goes back up, you can let go of the button.
4. Look to see if the button is flashing. If the button is not flashing, the top is properly tucked away. If it is flashing, push it down again so the top will complete the folding sequence.
Fully Automatic Roof
5. Put car in park or push on brake pedal. This will signal that the car is ready to open the roof; it will not open until it is in this position.
6. Find the button on your lower dash that has a picture of a side window and top on it. Push and hold this button as the side windows go down slightly and the roof folds back.
7. Release the button when the side windows go back up. If the light on the button starts to flash, push it down again until the roof folds back completely and locks.
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How to Purchase a Mercedes


1. Decide between a new or used Mercedes vehicle. There are benefits and downsides to both options. A new Mercedes has not been driven by others and has the latest technology in the vehicle. It is also more expensive. A used Mercedes might require expensive repairs, but it costs much less up front.
2. Write a budget plan. Whether purchasing a new or used Mercedes, a budget is an important part of the process. This determines how much you have available to buy the vehicle and eliminates any Mercedes that are too expensive. Determine the maximum amount you can afford for monthly payments based on the amount of your current bills and debts along with the amount of money you make on a monthly basis.
3. Save a down payment. Buying a Mercedes requires putting some money down at the time of purchase. The exact price will vary based on the price of the vehicle, personal credit scores and the dealership. Talk to the dealer to find out the percentage or price required as a minimum down payment.
4. Obtain financing. Dealerships will often offer their own financing or obtain a loan from a bank. The best financing options depend on the interest rates available. For example, a dealership might offer interest-free rates for one year, but then charge high interest rates afterward, making the Mercedes too expensive. A loan from the bank will have interest applied immediately, but might have lower interest rates in the long term. Shop around to find the best interest rates available.
5. Buy the Mercedes. Fill out the paperwork, pay the down payment and obtain the keys from the dealership.
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How to Program the Key for a 2005 BMW X5


1. Enter the X5 with your key remote device. Close all of the vehicle doors behind you.
2. Insert your key into the ignition. Turn it to '1' and then back 'Off' five times in quick succession.
3. Remove the key from the ignition after the fifth cycle. Press and hold the Unlock button on the remote portion of the key.
4. Press the Lock button three times while still holding the Unlock button, then release both buttons.
5. Wait for the door locks to click automatically, then insert the key back into the ignition. Turn the key back to the 'On' position to end the programming process.
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How to Turn Up an Audi TT Boost


1. Join the vacuum hose coming off the wastegate actuator to one end of the boost controller.
2. Connect the other end to the turbo outlet source line found on the compressor side.
3. Secure the controller with a zip-tie away from heat sources.
4. Turn the knob a small amount clockwise to increase manifold pressure, (boost) and perform a third gear full-throttle pass to measure psi (pounds per square inch) increase.
5. Repeat step 4 until desired boost level is reached. For safety use a deserted road or track to fine tune the controller.
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How to Make a Bluetooth Work in a BMW


1. Push the 'Send' key and do not release the button. You can find this key on your BMW dashboard, directly above your drink holders.
2. Turn on your vehicle and let go of the 'Send' key. This allows you to view the words 'Bluetooth Pairing.'
3. Power on the 'Bluetooth' function of your mobile phone device.
4. Push the 'Send' key on your BMW console. Listen for a single beep and then release the 'Send' key.
5. Say the number you want to call out loud.
6. State the words 'dial number' to place your call.
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