How to Replace a Sway Bar Link in an E39 BMW

1. Park the BMW on a flat level surface. Loosen the lug nuts for the wheels. If you are only replacing a front end link, only loosen the front lug nuts. If replacing a rear, loosen the rear lug nuts. Lift the end of the vehicle you are replacing the end link at with a floor jack. Lower it onto jack stands. Finish removing the lug nuts and the wheels.
2. Locate the sway bar and the end links. The sway bar is a thin, tubular length of metal that goes from the suspension on one side of the car to the opposite side, at the front and rear of the car. One end of the end link fastens to the end of the sway bar and the other end of the end link bolts to the BMWs suspension.
3. Remove the nut that holds the end link to the sway bar at the front with a socket and an open ended wrench. Use the wrench to hold the stud in place that the nut threads onto. Remove the nut at the opposite end of the link where it bolts to the suspension.
4. Remove the nut that holds the end link to the sway bar at the front with a socket and an open ended wrench. Use the wrench to hold the stud in place that the nut threads onto. Remove the nut at the opposite end of the link where it bolts to the suspension.
5. Install the new link by sliding the stud on the end of the link through the hole in the sway bar and then installing and tightening the nut. Use the wrench to hold the stud in place while you tighten the nut with the socket. Bolt the opposite end of the link to the suspension in the same manner.
6. Remove the nut that holds the link the sway bar at the rear of the car with a socket and an open-ended wrench using the same method as the front. Remove the nut that hold the end link to the rear suspension control arm.
7. Install the new link by sliding the stud on the end of the link through the sway bar and then threading on and tightening the nut. Install the opposite end of the link to the control arm in the same manner.
8. Reinstall the wheels and thread on the lug nuts. Lower the BMW off of the jack stands with the floor jack and then tighten the lug nuts to 90 lb/ft with a torque wrench.

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DIY: BMW E36 Front Strut

1. Loosen the lug nuts on the front wheels of your E36, but do not remove them.
2. Raise the front of your E36 by positioning the floor jack underneath the jack points directly behind the front tires, and raising each front corner. Insert a jack stand underneath the jack point as the car is raised and lower the corner of the car so that it is supported on the jack stand.
3. Remove the lug nuts on the front wheels and then remove the front wheels.
4. Remove the strut assembly from the lower sway bar links by using your 16 mm open wrench and 16 mm open socket.
5. Unplug the brake pad wear sensor that is plugged directly into the inside edge of the brake caliper.
6. Remove the nut from the upper bolt which secures the strut to the wheel hub, leaving the bolt in place.
7. Remove the two lower bolts that connect the strut to the wheel hub using your 18 mm socket wrench and open wrench.
8. Position a jack stand underneath the strut you are removing and then remove the upper bolt whose nut you removed in Step 6. The wheel hub will drop down from the strut and remain supported by the jack stand.
9. Open your car's hood to reveal the strut towers on both sides of the engine bay.
10. Hold the strut with your hand while you loosen and remove the nuts that sit on top of the strut tower using your 13 mm socket wrench.
11. Pull the strut directly down to remove it from the strut tower.
12. Insert the new strut into the tower and secure it at the top using your 13 mm socket wrench.
13. Align the wheel hub with the strut's bottom and insert the three 18 mm bolts that secure it to the hub assembly.
14. Tighten the nuts on the three 18 mm bolts to secure the new strut to the wheel hub.
15. Plug the brake pad wear sensor into the brake caliper, and then secure the strut assembly to the sway bar links using your 16 mm socket wrench and open wrench.

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How to Get an Audi Car Jack Back in its Case

1. Grasp the handle of the scissor jack and rotate it counterclockwise to close the scissor jack.
2. Flip the handle down so that it lies flush against the top of the scissor jack, as it would lay once placed into the plastic case.
3. Fold the metal butt of the jack down so that it lies flush against the scissor jack assembly. This is the part of the jack that supports the jack point underneath the car when it is raised.
4. Place the scissor jack into the factory-supplied plastic case, adjusting the handle as needed for fit.
5. Close the lid of the scissor jack case and secure it by pushing in on the two plastic clips over the plastic securing notches on the scissor jack's case.

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How to Retract an Audi Caliper

1. Clean the caliper and nearby areas with brake cleaner. If you are having to retract the caliper piston, that probably means you are installing new brake pads.
2. Remove the lid on the brake fluid reservoir and inspect the brake fluid level. If the level of the fluid is relatively low, proceed with retracting the caliper. However, if the fluid is right at the top, the pressure from pushing the piston into the caliper may cause the fluid to overflow. Remove some of the brake fluid with a turkey baster or large syringe if you do want the fluid to spill out. You can also simply put rags around the reservoir.
3. Support the brake caliper with something while you are retracting the piston so that it does not hang on the brake line and potentially damage it.
4. Slide a caliper piston retracting tool onto the slots in the caliper and turn the piston with the tool while pressing it into the caliper. You may need to use a C-clamp to tighten the piston into the caliper while simultaneously turning it. Retract the caliper until there is enough clearance between the pads and the rotor to slide the caliper over the rotor. You will have to stop and check this by temporarily installing the pads, since you cannot retract the piston with the pads installed.
5. Slide the caliper over the rotor once you have retracted the pistons enough. Tighten the caliper bolts. Top off the brake fluid and put the lid back on the reservoir.

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How to Reset a BMW Zumo

1. Reset trip information by touching 'Speed' on the main menu, then touch 'Reset.' This option resets miles per tank, trip data, the fuel gauge, odometers and maximum speed.
2. Reset the fuel gauge by touching it while viewing the Trip Information page, then select 'Yes.'
3. Begin a new trip log by touching the 'Wrench' icon on the main menu, then 'User Data.' Select 'Clear Trip Log.' Clearing the log may take several minutes.
4. Reset the Zumo unit, if it freezes or locks up, by holding down the 'Power' button and pressing the 'Plus' button at the same time.

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Troubleshooting a BMW 330Ci

Instructions
1. Locate the OBD port in your 330Ci that is found below the steering wheel and above the foot-wells on the driver's side of the car. The port will be approximately two inches wide and will be marked with 'OBD2' or 'OBDII' to indicate that it is the diagnostic port.
2. Plug the code scanner into the OBD port, then turn your 330Ci's ignition to the accessories position or turn the engine on so that the electronics in the car are activated. Note any diagnostic codes that the code scanner displays when your 330Ci's electronic system is turned on.
3. Cross reference the diagnostic codes with your local BMW dealer, a licensed mechanic or by referencing a website such as the one listed in the Resources section of this article. When a component of your 330Ci fails, the onboard computer will output a unique error code for the failing component. This can help point you to the areas of your 330Ci that are failing and need repair.
4. Check the fuse box on your 330Ci for any blown fuses. You can identify a blown fuse by seeing if the metal link at the top of the fuse is disconnected and if there is a brown or grey soot-like material on the inside of the fuse. If you are experiencing electrical issues, a blown fuse could be the culprit. By following the gird on the fuse box panel, you can locate fuses for components such as headlights, stereo system and emissions. Replace fuses as necessary.
5. Check to see if your 330Ci has the appropriate oil level by opening the hood and locating the oil dipstick. Pull the dipstick out of the engine, wipe it clean, then reinsert it into the dip stick tube. Pull the stick out again and examine where the oil sits on the dip stick relative to oil level indicators marked on the dipstick itself. Add fluid as needed.

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How to Replace the Timing Belt on an Audi

1. Lift the front end of the Audi using a jack and axle stands, bringing the front wheels off the ground.
2. Remove the two screws located at the wheel wells and remove the six screws located underneath the underpan (underneath the front end) using a screwdriver.
3. Pull out both lower grilles located beside the fog lights and remove both bolts, turning counterclockwise with an Allen wrench.
4. Pull and detach the hose located at the lower grille on the driver's side to disconnect the headlight washers. Hold a bucket underneath the front bumper as washer fluid will come out and can be reused.
5.
Remove the front bumper of the Audi.
Gently maneuver the front bumper up and down and pull to remove it from the Audi.
6. Unplug the wiring for the horns and the headlights, and pull out the wiring of the turn signal bulbs, located at both sides of the front end.
7. Remove the T45 Torx screws, turning counterclockwise with a T45 Torx screwdriver. There are four on the passenger side and three on the driver's side, located underneath the headlights.
8. Remove the two T30 Torx screws located above the headlights, at the edge where the front of the hood meets, and remove the T30 Torx screw located underneath the sides of both headlights.
9. Gently pull out the lock carrier (a thin plastic piece on the engine that connects to the fan) and unclip the wiring. Unclip the timing belt cover and remove the fan by unscrewing the four bolts located at the center of the fan with an Allen wrench.
10. Remove the A/C compressor belt, located at the front of the engine, by loosening the two bolts at the center of the A/C compressor belt. Maneuver the spring-loaded tensioner (located behind the fan) with a crescent wrench to remove the main serpentine belt.
11. Remove the damper pulley (located underneath the fan) by holding it with a breaker bar and remove the four bolts with a metric wrench. Unscrew the three bolts located at the lower timing belt cover to remove the cover.
12. Line the cam sprocket and valve cover timing marks together by turning the crank, located at the damper pulley, clockwise. Remove the tensioner and guide pulley by removing the three bolts located on the tensioner and the bolt located on the guide pulley. Reassemble the guide pulley with a new tensioner. A new tensioner and timing belt is included in the timing belt kit.
13. Remove the bolt located on the brass-colored part of the guide pulley in order to install the new timing belt. Pull off the timing belt and slide the new timing belt over the sprockets, then turn an Allen key clockwise in the hex hole of the guide pulley and reattach the brass colored piece. Pull out the pin on the new tensioner.
14. Repeat the steps in reverse on the Audi.

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How to Jumpstart an E350 Mercedes

1. Park a car with a live battery beside the Mercedes E350 and pop both hoods, so you have easy access to the batteries.
2. Attach the positive jumper cable clip to the positive battery terminal on the Mercedes E350. The cable is red on most jumper cables, and most batteries have a '+' sign to indicate positive.
3. Attach the other positive jumper cable clip to the positive terminal on the other car.
4. Attach the negative jumper cable clip to the negative battery terminal on the vehicle with the working battery. The cable is black on most jumper cables, and most batteries have a '-' sign to indicate negative.
5. Attach the other negative jumper cable clip to a piece of metal under the hood of the Mercedes to ground the current.
6. Start the vehicle with the working battery. Allow it to sit and run for a few minutes, which will charge the Mercedes' battery.
7. Unclip all jumper cables in reverse order.
8. Allow the Mercedes to run for several minutes before turning it off.

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How to Add Coolant to a 2003 BMW

1. Lift the hood and locate the coolant reservoir. The reservoir should be near the radiator and you should see coolant in the reservoir. Coolant is generally green in color, but in some cases it is red. Look for a hose coming out of the reservoir and into the radiator to ensure you have the correct reservoir.
2. Remove the cap. If the cap is a pressurized lid, do not remove it while the engine is hot. A plastic flip-top tab is most common and is not pressurized.
3. Insert the funnel into the opening and pour the coolant into the reservoir until it reaches the 'Full' line. Do not add water into the BMW reservoir; use only the antifreeze. If the coolant was very low, run the vehicle and recheck the levels after the coolant has been drawn into the system.

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How Do I Replace a Headlight Bulb on a Mercedes Benz SLK 350?

1. Park your Mercedes Benz SLK 350. Turn on the headlamps.
2. Pull the hood latch inside the vehicle to unlock the hood. Locate the hood switch under the hood, depress it and open the hood.
3. Locate the blown bulb by examining the headlights. Note that you may need to turn the headlamps on the "bright" setting to check and see which bulb is out. Note that the low-beam bulbs are the inner bulbs in the headlight assembly; the high-beam bulbs are the outer bulbs in the headlight assembly.
4. Rotate the housing cover counterclockwise and remove it from the headlamp assembly, exposing the bulb socket. Note that the housing cover is a circular, black, plastic cover that fits over the rear of the bulb.
5. Rotate the low- or high-beam bulb socket, depending on which you are changing, counterclockwise and remove it from the headlamp assembly. Continue holding the bulb socket.
6. Grasp the base of the bulb and remove it from the socket.
7. Insert the new bulb by pushing the base of the bulb into the socket. Avoid touching the glass of the halogen bulb, if possible.
8. Insert the bulb socket back into the headlamp and turn clockwise. Replace the housing cover and turn clockwise.

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